Something very special or just a fake? GWL destroyer made of zinc!

[schwelch]

Hi guys,

today a got a very special destroyer badge (or just simply a fake). A destroyer badge made by GWL made of zinc! I've never seen a zinc example of GWL before, but I can't see any red flags. It has the typical GWL design, it feels like zinc in hands, the finish has the typical faded look we know of other zinc exmaple, the setup is known of other zinc navy badges. Furthermore the details a good, there are no cast holes and it looks to be die stamped. So in my honest opinion I believe it could be an original badge (and I really hope it :-) ).
What do you think? Original or fake? Have you ever seen one of these before?
Thanks in advance for your help!

BR
Sven

[schwelch]

further pics

[BubbaZ]

This is Steagemeir fake unfortunately...
Cheers,
Hubert

[BubbaZ]

Sven,
Before you return it to the seller, could you please post here for future reference dimensions of this badge and info about catch, hinge, main pin and upper pin - magnetic or not?
Thanks in advance.
Hubert

[Norm F]

This is Steagemeir fake unfortunately...
Cheers,
Hubert

I agree with Hubert and also would like to see the requested statistics. Quite a devious fake but when you compare with Staegemeir's Tombak version you see identical flaws in the swastika and eagle's chest. Being double struck, the GWL Destroyer often shows various flaws similar to that, but these two are identical which is a red flag for a cast fake that reproduces the exact same flaws.

Aside from that, they used the same setup as on their "round-S" fake S.H.u.Co., right down to the pointed top hook (which doesn't appear on any original).

Best regards,
---Norm

[BubbaZ]

Hi Norm,
Do you mean that GWL tombak destroyer from Staegemeir site is also a fake?
I'd rather say that the tombak one is worn original and the zincer posted by Sven is a casting based on that exact original tombak example and hence it inherits its flaws? I remember Staegemeir offering originals on his site after he made a casting forms of it.
Cheers,
Hubert

[Norm F]

Hi Hubert,

I was wondering the same thing, and that’s quite possible. There’s a softness to the detail of the Tombak example but that could from vigourous cleaning prior to the casting process.

Best regards,
—-Norm

[schwelch]

Hi guys,

thanks a lot for your help, as always very much appreciated - even if I'm more than disappointed nright ow :-)

For future reference:

weigth: 13,58g
heigth: about 5,5cm
width: about 4,55cm
nothing magnetic

BR
Sven