Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge, G.B.

[Robert P.]

I purchased this piece from a dealer who states that it is original and comes with a lifetime ( his lifetime, anyway ) authenticity guarantee with full refund priveledges. It came in the tan hard paper box with stapled lid, wrapped in tan tissue. The piece is in mint condition. Nickle/silver eagle is soldered onto a nickle/silver-plated zinc wreath. The lightning bolt is a true gun-metal, blue-gray color. It is a beautiful example with ALL of it's white frosting still intact. Only question is...is it authentic? I would gladly welcome any comments. I know little about this series of badges.

[Robert P.]

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[Robert P.]

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[Robert P.]

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[stogieman]

The box??

Hi Robert, can I see a photo of the box please?

[Robert P.]

Hello, Rick. To answer your post, here is a scan of the box. The closest I can describe it is: The lid is 3 1/16" long, 2 1/8" wide and with the lid on the box it is 1/2" thick. The staples are clearly steel colored with a very minor bronze tint to them. The box and lid are a speckled tan color with the wrapping tissue a little lighter colored tan. Here is the scan)

[Joseph D'Errico]

Hello Robert,

I have never seen a GCB by this maker so this is a first for me. But a few observations on the badge itself, I only see one rivet on the left side of the adler, is that correct or am I not seeing another one. If this is the only rivet to the left wing, that is strange. I also could not reference the catch with that hinge assembly from my files or reference books, that would also concern me. I also am unsure about that makers mark strike, looks strange. The face of the Adler looks like a GWL design, but I know it is not ,just noting some similarities. I have to be honest, I am not sure this piece is authentic, but that is only my opinion. I just appears to raise some questions on a badge not seen by that maker often. I have referenced the makers name as being one that produced the piece, but it is the first example I have seen by that maker.

It will be interesting to see what the pros have to say when they find this thread. Just some observations.

Best Regards,
JD

[Robert P.]

Thanks, JD. The 'rivet' you were referring to is just a spot on the badge where the finish is not complete. There are two more smaller spots to the left of the pin in the photo. The eagle is soldered to the wreath. There are no rivets. This concerned me as well. I'm used to seeing rivets on these badges. The dealer told me this is not uncommon amongst these badges. Like I say, If this piece is indeed a copy, I would surely like to be the first to find out. Thank you for the feedback. Robert

[Joseph D'Errico]

Hello Robert,

I must say, that I have never seen a GCB early variation with NO rivet and with a soldered Adler. I think that this piece would raise some serious concerns if it were in my collection. I am also surprised that the dealer told you that it was common that the Adler was soldered. To many queries for me. Do you have an option to return it. Again just my thoughts.

Cordially,
JD

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Robert,

Your badge looks good to me from the images provided, and the condition is absolutely amazing! The cold soldered (sweated) on eagle and maker's mark appear correct. I can't make out the details on the base/footprint of your hinge - it looks rectangular whereas my example is more semi-circular (my zinc example only has traces of the silver finish remaining). The main pin, catch (I am assuming your catch is FLATwire stock, not roundwire - difficult to make out) and catchplate all look correct for this maker. You will probably find that your badge is actually zinc though (the large circular catchplate supports this), not nickel silver - it just retains it's original finish. Congratualtions on what appears to be an excellent buy!

Regards
Mike K

[Joseph D'Errico]

Hello,

Mike can you post a pic. of your piece or show a reference from your files or suggest where I can find a pic. for this maker other than the one posted by Robert. This is a true first for me on this maker and I would appriciate some furthur reference pictures.

Robert, how much was this piece, if you do not mind me asking

Thank you,
JD

[Robert P.]

Gentlemen, here are some more needed pics of the badge in question. Shown is a round stock question mark catch, an oval base hinge and a seperately sweated on eagle. I purchased this piece from Bill Shea not too long ago for I believe $545.00 or thereabouts. Thank you for the good feedback and here are the pics. Robert

[Robert P.]

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[Robert P.]

Ground Combat Badge

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[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

Here's a quick scan of my zinc example. The only places where the original silver finish is readily apparent is in the regions around the hinge and the catchplate where the "solder" was applied. I believe the "solder" used was applied to both component surfaces (ie badge/hinge and badge/catchplate) and the parts were chemically "bonded" together (probably also with the addition of heat) - we're not talking about a modern tin or lead solder process here.

The biggest (?only) difference I can see when comparing with Robert's example is the catch (both hinges are the same). It's not apparent from my scan I'm sorry, but my catch is "C" form made from flatwire stock - this seems to be the most common type of catch on GB LW Ground Assault and LW Flak Badges. I don't have a major problem with minor variations in hinge/pin/catch assemblies and certainly would not strongly question Robert's badge based solely on that difference in this instance.

Regards
Mike K