Mint glider pilot badge

[Stijn David]

glider badges - C.E.Juncker

Hello,


About the darkening on the eagle, the pieces from C.E.Juncker (both marked and unmarked Buntmetal pieces) are originally with the dark wreath (front and reverse).

The darkening will in most cases dissapear due to extensive wear (this can be prooved as the eagle on the front has in many cases lost its darkening while it is still present when vieuwing the obverse).

I have not met one veteran who cared in cleaning his badge up to the shiny level. This is in most cases done by collectors IMHO.

here is the reverse of the shown badge by me. (sorry for the lazy scan, my scanning device has become some kind of failure )

More images will follow.

Cordial greetings,

[Frank Heukemes]

I have to disagree on the eagle finish. My badge was never worn and not cleaned, the eagle is also not worn off as one can see from the detail it has. Not even the pin has signs of wear and perfect blackening. The badge spent all its life in a case until recently. If you have the badge in hand and look at the finish of the eagle on the front, sides and reverse, it is evident that it was finished darker on the reverse (flat) while obverse and sides are only finished darker in the CREVICES. Some eagles on some badges are darker, some are lighter and some are of course cleaned to the base metal. With this badge what you see is 100% factory finish.

I am with Mike that Juncker wreathes are in most cases cast (except for earlier Luftwaffe badges).

[Stijn David]

Question

Hello Frank,


Its ok to disagree, however a question does come to my mind when reading your reply. How do you know that your badge was never worn? because it has no traces of wear ?

As you mention that the badge was still in its case, i assume you know who the former recipient was then?, can you put me in touch with the owner of the case ?

Cordial greetings,

[rhudspith]

Hi Stijn,

Thanks for the answer, I assumed they originally came with the dark finish to the front of the eagle, its just that you don't see this in practice when compared to equivelent condition Luft Pilot badges for example

[Frank Heukemes]

Hi Stijn,

Of course I do not know if the badge was ever worn (for a few hours or so). But the thing this discussion is about is: is the lack of blackening on the obverse and sides of the eagle due to wear or not? I can clearly say by LOOKING at the badge that wear or cleaning is NOT the reason the eagle does not have extensive blackening on the obverse and sides. Using some logic and a good eye, this might even become evident from the following pics.

-Blackening is weak even in places where wear would not have reached the blackening
-Blackening is weak where an attempt at cleaning (polishing) would not have reached these areas
-Blackening is STRONG in some areas where wear and cleaning would have affected it.

Result: badge was just finished that way. Just like some other Juncker Luftwaffe badges have slightly different intensities in eagle blackening.

I do not know the recipient and seller name will stay with me, sorry. Price is no secret: 1700.- EUR

[Frank Heukemes]

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[Frank Heukemes]

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[Frank Heukemes]

Some more pics for member's databases:
Hard to capture in the daylight of this time of teh year, but sides of wreath are also polished and very shiny, like the swastika:

[Frank Heukemes]

Better photograph of the maker mark, see a slight double strike below BERLIN SW?

[Stijn David]

glider pilots badge

Hello Frank,


" Just like some other Juncker Luftwaffe badges have slightly different intensities in eagle blackening. " , i agree in this point.

Such badges where hand finished and it is rather normal that darkening will have been slightly different between badge A and badge B even when they where just made and left the production.


Cordial greetings,

[Rich G]

Frank, Congratulations on a stunning badge. A keeper for sure!

Rich

[Marc Garlasco]

Well I just got back from Germany and when Frank pulled this badge out to show me my jaw hit the floor. These photos just do not do it justice. In hand it is such an amazing piece, frosty, polished, and so detailed - just an amazing piece. It was obviously not worn and is as close to perfect as I have ever seen. Hopefully I will hold one of my own one of these days, but until then the memory will have to be enough!
Marc

PS - the man can sing - what a voice!

[ERIC S.]

Hi Frank,
One of the best Juncker Gliders I've seen - awesome pickup! If you don't mind, can you furnish it's weight please? Just for the records! Thanks!
ERIC