Almost Mint Observers Badge

[Joseph D'Errico]

Hello Gentleman,

I just received my LW Observers Badge today from Bill Shea. A very nice early example. The maker is W. Deumer, Ludenscheid. Again the colors are a little off because of my digital camera skills.
The badge is a nickle alloy and retains about 95% of the finish to the obverse and showing minor signs of wear. The badge is also convex, the reverse I also feel comfortable with. I actually feel comfortable with the piece in general,BUT the 6 o' clock arm on the Swaz is slightly bent. I would not even consider toying with it and this wasn't part of the description. I know that Bill will take it back if I choose to return it. The piece cost $710.00
Well, does the over all quality make up for the bent swaz?
I have been searching for a good Observers badge and the early variations are steep in price. I missed out on that GWL by Detlev and I think this one retains more of the finish ( I sure wanted that GWL). So any advice would really help. I have my own thoughts, but I would really welcome some opinions.
Thank You,
JD
PS Why are all my images coming out grey, is it because I am using an incondescent light source?

[Joseph D'Errico]

Reverse

[Jos L C]

Hello Joseph,
Great badge,the swas is bend a bit because the eagle's shape is a bit concave,no problem for me,that's just the way some badges are...
Deumers are very nice,heavy quality badges,I like it anyway !

Jos.

[Joseph D'Errico]

Maker Mark

[Jos L C]

Ooops,didn't know you were still posting.

[Joseph D'Errico]

Hi Jos,

Thank you for the response. I have spent a lot of time looking for a good Observers badge and like you said Deumer, is a nice heavy piece. So this is a manufacturing design rather than the Swaz being damaged?

Thanks again,
Joe

[Jos L C]

Yeah,I've seen this before..,when the eagle is more concave than the wreath and they put the two together it's or the swas,or the wreath that has to bend...in this case the wreath is very heavy so the swas got a little knick,no problem..it's just the way it is...a nice badge !

Jos.

[Joseph D'Errico]

Thank you Jos,

I did not think that the piece was damaged, but this is the first incounter that I have had with this. Thanks again for the response I learned something new.

JD

[Tim Calvert]

Nice badge Joe!
Notice that the wreath shares die characteristics with Juncker's wreath? I think the eagle does too, but I don't have one to compare it to.

[Joseph D'Errico]

Thank you, Tim

I also think this is a keeper and I am glad to add it to my collection. Thank again for responding, it means a lot when collectors of yours and Jos calibar give a piece a thumbs up.

Cordially Yours,
JD

[Larry Lipps]

Very nice badge JD. Here's a Juncker if you'd like to compare the two.

[Tim Calvert]

Hi Snigley,
The wreath on your Juncker is actually a 3rd pattern wreath, same as the pilot's 3rd pattern. Joe's is a second pattern.
I'm not sure if the eagle on the observer changed too.

[Joseph D'Errico]

Hi Snigley,
Thank you for posting your badge, I will include it in my reference files. Yours is in exceptional condition, very nice piece. I always regarded the Pilots badge as my favorite, but the Observers badge is edging into first. I think that I would like to aquire a few more from other makers.

Hi Tim, can you post an example of a first pattern wreath? I do no have one in my stock files.

Thank you again,
JD

[Larry Lipps]

JD,
I run out of photos long before Tim does, but maybe an Assmann for your collection?

[Tim Calvert]

Wasp's Nest (Jos) is the guy to ask for a picture of a 1st pattern wreath.

Happy Friday Night!