Pilot OM? or copy?

[skip]

Hello all,

I am presenting a badge here that has a small story to it.

I received this badge in trade about 10 years froma well known german dealer.
I didnt know much about pilots badges in those days and was very happy with it.
In 1994 I was divorced and was forced to sell a large amount of my collection to pay alimony and court cases. I sold this badge for DM500.
The other day the person who purchased this returned it to me with the reason that it is a reproduction. Upon examining the badge I realised that I have learned a lot since those days
and that today, I would myself question the authenticity of this badge.
I returned the guy his now 250Euro, and he was very happy with it.

So my question gentlemen is of course, what do you all think?
It does bear a bit of a resemblence to the OM, but only a bit, also this type of wire catch I have never since again.

Let me know what you all think, hammer job or keeper?

Thanks. Skip

[Tim Calvert]

Hi Skip,

That's a pretty damn good repro from the front!! The feathering on the eagle is a bit weak, other than that, the obverse looks very good.

The hinge, pin, catch and rivets are all wrong, IMO. However, I could see how that badge would fool a lot of people back in '94.

Thanks for sharing,
TC

[ERIC S.]

Yeah Skip, it's a repro - But as Tim said a damn good one from the front! The reverse is a dead giveaway now that it is pretty common knowledge what the true reverse on original looks like. We've all come a long way since then. Hell, back then I might have bought it too!
ERIC

[François SAEZ]

Maybe from the front, but from the back no chance

[Bruce Simcox]

Hi Skip......

.....It is very nice to see a man take a deep swallow and honor his obligation with integrity. Well done sir! My compliments!

-------------------------

Bruce

[skip]

Thanks for the replys guys, and the laurels Bruce.

I thought it was bad the moment I turned it over, in fact I was shocked as I had totally forgotten what the badge looked like.
I was sort of hoping that somebody would say,
"Hey! thats the very rare badge manufactured by so and so"

I think I will contact the dealer I got this from, but after 10/11 years I reckon it will be difficult.

Thanks.Skip