Pilot Badge

[Brian S]

Were period copies used on mementos like this during occupation in France? I can't identify it to a known Pilot badge.

This badge is stuck to the top of a cigar/cigarette box, anyone recognize it?

I can tell you 11 badges it isn't, I just can't figure what it is...


THANKS!

[Brian S]

Here's the bottom has this glued to it...

[Brian S]

The inside...

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Brians,

Just a few thoughts:

-the pilot´s badge is of no known design and I believe it has never been a "real" pilot´s badge before it was applied to the box.

-to glue this genuine Ausweiskarte to the bottom (as a means to keep it from scratching, I suppose) is very strange, especially in an area when this Ausweiskarte would have been still valid or when it would have been at least frivolous to glue an official paper from the Reich to the bottom of such a box.

-there are many many fantasy pieces among these cigarette boxes (and ashtrays). It seems like a welcome means to sacrifice a low value paper item and glue it under that box to give it more "period" credability.

-the wood looks strangely modern to me.

Excuse me if these thoughts are negative, but I can´t help having them in connection with this case and I think you want to gather opinions. If original though, it is a nice item.

Cheers, Frank

[Brian S]

The wood and box itself are definitely old. If you look at the delicate feet of the box you see it too is old and nicely done. I've looked at about 14 different types of pilot badges and can't figure it out. I have a couple of beautiful fake pilot badges and it doesn't match that either. The piece behind the badge is silver or silvered so it's not just a cheap piece of filler. The paper, eh? No idea why it's there...

Here's a much better pic of the eagle. If someone knows of a fake and can date it I'd be thrilled. Of course I'd be more thrilled with a different outcome... Notice the color of the eagle showing through on his beak. Eagle has been heavily plated. It's not that awful stuff the fakes I've seen are made of, buntcrapmetal.

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Brians,

What is that silver colour next to the eagle, surrounding it (on the lid)?

Cheers, Frank

[Brian S]

Dust, comes off when I touch it... I lightly dusted it with a silver cloth and the 'dust' is actually from the cloth itself.