Destroyer opinions please

[NOR_collector]

Hi.

I need your opinions on this destroyer badge?
Is it a Rettenmaier? It kind of looks like it is, but the pin and catch is not 100% identical to the one you often see on those badges. Early version of Rettenmaier maybe or is it from a different maker perhaps? Replica??....

Thanks.

Regards,
André

[Norm F]

Hi André,

In terms of hardware it's a fairly typical example of type DC# 6.10.3 in the classification system.

I'm not sure about the finish though -- possibly "refreshed" at some point but maybe not since this variant has different finish from the 6.10.1, and you see similar variability in finish in the Rettenmaier-attributed Minesweeper badges.

Best regards,
---Norm

[Norm F]

Here's the equivalent variablity in the Rettenmaier-attributed Minesweeper badge. Different hardware and different finish. Of course, Rettenmaier is one of those businesses that was uninterrupted by the end of the war so, like S&L, it's hard to know what they were up to in the post-war period. The bright Minesweeper finish you see there is typical for that variant yet is soluble with acetone which does make one wonder a bit about the period production.

F&B finish is also often soluble to acetone so that's not an iron-clad argument for post-war production, but for what it's worth the bright Rettenmaier finish was easier to smear with an acetone-soaked Q-tip than the F&B.

Best regards,
---Norm

[NOR_collector]

Thank you for all the info Norm. I really appreciate it.
I have had a few badges over the years that had the paint "refreshed", but having this badge in hand it don't look like it has been refreshed.

It is possible to say which type in the classification system that was most likely made during the war and what was made at the end/after of the war?

Regards,
André

[Norm F]

Is it possible to say which type in the classification system that was most likely made during the war and what was made at the end/after of the war?

Regards,
André

Well, for the Minesweeper badges, it's type 2.13.1 and other badges of that style that have been found in original LDO envelopes in Schwäbisch-Gmund and also in the small hoard from an old LDO shop stock previously reported by Giel. By extrapolation, one would expect the Destroyer type 6.10.2 to be late wartime production. That doesn't really tell us whether the Minesweeper type 2.13.2 and the similarly finished Destroyer type 6.10.3 that you posted were made before that or after...

Best regards,
---Norm

[Patrick W]

The black finish on the reverse is original- i have had one exactly the same with a different catch - I will try and find the pictures,

However Norm is spot on regarding the obverse finish- complete repaint,- look at the pin- sprayed gold to one side and not on the other- give it a dip in acetone to get it back to the original finish.

[Patrick W]

here we go....

[NOR_collector]

Thank you for the replies. I really appreciate it.

Should I use 100% acetone or nail polish that has acetone in it?

Regards,
André

[BubbaZ]

Hi André,
Here is for comparison Rettenmaier Destroyer that I used to have. Different hardware and finish than on yours. As Norm has already said we have evidence that badges with such combination of hardware and finish were produced wartime.
Cheers,
Hubert