GWL Pilot badge opinion;

[nick]

Hi,

GWL pilot badge. Not mine but have it here (home) for viewing.
What is your opinion about this one. A forum member told me it is a fake one. Do you guys agree? And if, let me here your statments so I can compere with the other member opinion.

Thanks
Best regards

EUH, CAN SOMEBODY KILL THIS FIRST PICTURE, PLEASE? I WILL POST A SMALLER ONE. THANKS

[nick]

Oops waaay to large

[nick]

Maybe better this time

[nick]

Other shot

[nick]

more

[Yuri D.]

Well, I don't like the rivets or the color of the badge. I can't see the concentric buff marks on the reverse of the eagle that are found on all Pilot and Pilot/Observer badges by GWL. The rivets have been made to "look" like the GWL rivets, but are rough, while GWL rivets are smooth along the edges. This badge has a lot in common with a genuine GWL, but just does not have the feel of the original badge.

Yuri

[Lorenzo Brown]

Hi Nick. IMO this is a fake that was cast from a real one. The design is very close to an authentic badge, but the details and poor quality give it away as a reproduction.

[Joseph D'Errico]

Hello Nick,

I agree with the others on this piece in that it definatly lacks the crsip detail associated with GWL pieces. The wing detail is a dead give away as well as the claws............well just about the whole thing.

Best Regards,
JD

[ERIC S.]

Interesting that it holds a flaw in the makers mark like the originals though!
ERIC

[Yuri D.]

I knew it would not take long for the flaw to be put on the reproductions. This flaw was known about for decades (since the early 70s). I'm surprised it has taken this long.

Yuri

[Yuri D.]

But to play devil's advocate, I would still like to measure/weigh it to be sure. I see some remainder of buff marks on the reverse of the swastika. Could this badge have had the finish stripped from the reverse of the wreath and buffed-clean?

Also the "shape" of the GWL kreiss break looks legit.

Thoughts?

Yuri

[nick]

Hi,

well just as I tought. Thanks for the help. Well this one goes back.
I have an other one JMME. I will post him tomorrow. (think fake too)
These repro are IMO very well done.

[nick]

Hi,

wings (top to top): 61 cm
wreath: 41 cm by 52 cm
weight: don't know, very heavy though.

[Tim Calvert]

Could this be a zinc eagle GWL which had a name inscribed on the back of the wreath, then removed?
That might explain the weird rivet centers, abrasion marks on the reverse and the lousy detail to the eagle.

Looks like the hinge, clasp and hallmark have a chance.
If its fake then they've got the phallic deal going too!

[Yuri D.]

I think that the reverse was machine-sanded. Otherwise the badge has all the right details.

Yuri