Help w/ Luftwaffe Flak Badge

[Shawn Rawls]

Hi All,

Posted this on the Estand and Tim recommended it for discussion due to its odd features.

1. Looks to be early war as it is not zinc
2. Marked G.B. w/ 52? under that and the wreath has a 2
3. Well detailed and the raised areas have taken an almost polished look to them
4. The pin and catch were removed
5. I've owned it for 5 years (no Latvian stuff...ha ha)

Questions?

1. Gustav Brehmer made Zinc badges marked G.B. not Buntmetal
2. What are the bubbles in the back?
3. Why so many markings?
4. The eagle is different than other Brehmer examples
5. Some kind of display sample?

[Shawn Rawls]

Back

[Shawn Rawls]

Markings

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Shawn,

I assume what you have there is a casting of a "Adolf Scholze style" Flak badge with (fake) Brehmer initials. The hinge seems to have been one piece with the badge and has been cut off. I also assume that the catch plate is not really a separate piece.

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Shawn,

I have to agree with Frank, it looks like a casting to me. Lots of casting pockmarks, obverse and reverse, and the detail and edges look "soft".

Regards
Mike K