Paratroopers badge wreath color?

[Robert P.]

Hello, Gentlemen.
I realize for a lot of you this is an old subject. As for me it is new ground. I have picked up little pieces from other threads but need more information. This badge has the darkened wreath. I'm presuming that it was chemically darkened. Were some actually painted? Another question, Which came first-the silver wreath or the darkened? I have read that a lot of wreaths that were darkened were polished down to the silver color by the collector. Is there any truth to this, and what would be the advantage in doing this? This badge has the C.E. Juncker mark with the 'BERLIN SW'. I have another para with the '40-'42 Assmann mark. It also has the darkened wreath. They both look chemically darkened rather than painted. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.
Robert

[skip]

Nice looking badge Robert.
I don´t think that early awards like this were painted, rather chemically darkened.
I think that early awards 36/39 were probably silver coloured and after the start of hostilities they went over to darkening the wreath.

just my opinion though. Maybe some of the others think differently.

Skip

[ERIC S.]

Hello Robert,
O.K., to answer your first question - all the blackened wreaths on these Para Badges were chemically oxidized black - NOT painted! If you encounter one with a painted wreath, I would avoid it completely. To answer your second question, the silver wreath versions came first, from when they were first instituted in 1936 until the area of '42/early'43. The first ones were oxidized silver plate, and over time became silver
finish on buntmetall. It was in '42/'43 as stated above that the badge transgressed to having the chemically blackened wreaths, first in buntmetall, then eventually in zinc. It is true some people have taken the darkened finish off the wreaths Why? I believe there are two possibilities - 1- they thought it was dirt/patina and figured they were "cleaning it up" or -2- what I personally think here, they tried to make a later war badge into a early war badge
by removing the blackened finish so it would resemble a early silver wreath version, so it would fetch a higher price ( the silver wreath versions are more desireable) when resold. Either way, they ruined a good original badge! As for the Assmann you have I would guess, by the maker mark, a 1942 badge. Hope this helps!
ERIC

[Robert P.]

Thank you both for your help with this. The information is most helpful.

Robert

[Frank Heukemes]

If we are talking ZINC badges, there actually ARE "painted" darkened wreaths, at least wreaths that have a true dark grey finish rather than a chemically altered silver one. Take this B&NL badge for example. There are also zinc Assmanns with dark finish wreathes.

Cheers, Frank

[Frank Heukemes]

rev

[ERIC S.]

Hi Frank,
I don't think this finish is actually " paint " in the true sense of the word, but actually some sort of chemical wash / laquer combo that would have given the underlying zinc that enhanced grey finish. Do you feel it's actually paint
and not a chemical applied to the base metal?
ERIC

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Eric,

No, as I said in my post it is not paint, it is a finish (wash). But I thought that was Robert´s question as I understood it. Artificial patina silver wreathes versus wreathes with a dark grey finish that covered the whole wreath.

The zinc that you see shining through on the wreath of my badge is because of wear. Once the whole wreath was as dark grey as the back of the wreath.

Cheers, Frank

[ERIC S.]

Hello Frank,
Thanks for the clarification! I didn't want Robert to get confused when you said " there actually are painted, darkened wreaths", when there aren't any with actual paint applied, that's all I was getting at my friend!
ERIC

[Frank Heukemes]

That´s why I put painted in "", sorry for the confusion.

Cheers, Frank

[Robert P.]

Clearly understood.

Thank you. I can see the difference and I understand what the 'wash' is you were referring to, as clearly seen by the photo, Frank. Anyway, they perfected a method of applying some sort of finish to take the place of the chemical oxidation process. This has really helped. I would hope someone would post a photo of an early badge with the plain silver wreath. Here is another chemically-colored badge , this time by Assmann.

Thanks again. Robert

[ERIC S.]

Hi Robert,
I can offer my early JMME & SOHN Silver Wreath Para for you!

[ERIC S.]

I also have a Juncker Para with a silver J2 style wreath - If you wish to see that also, say the word and I'll post it for you!
Reverse:

[Robert P.]

Thanks, Eric, for the photo. What a nice badge!!! I too have some J2 wreaths on observers and pilots so the other photo is not necessary. I appreciate it though. It is confusing to me why the makers of these badges thought it good to darken the wreaths. I think the silvered wreaths are much more appealing. Thanks again for your eagerness to help, Eric. I only hope I can return the favor.

Robert

[Robert P.]

This may be off of the subject just a little. I wanted to say that I noticed the maker mark of 'JMME & SOHN' on the early silver-wreathed para badge. Is it right to think that this was IMME's first early stamp? I have an IMME-marked pilot badge with the J2 wreath and eagle. I have noticed the variation between the 'JMME & SOHN' and 'IMME' and always had questions as to which was their first marking. Would you have any thoughts on this?

Robert