Juncker Radio Operator - Opinions?

[mgidhagen]

I have this Juncker radio operator badge from a reputable dealer, but I am not entirely at ease with it... <br>Am I doing the right thing in returning it? My reasoning:<br>
1) The detailing is badly defined<br>
2) There are pitting as of too cold dies(...?)<br>
3) There are "cracks" to the bolts (see pics)<br>
4) The whole badge (well, the eagle <i>is</i> riveted) seems cast<br>
5) The Juncker trade mark is very diffuse<br>
6) The pin seems too long, and is sharpened<br>
7) Aren't these late war hinges/catches usually accompanied by a "Berlin SW 68" mark...?<br>
However: the measures and weight are within the limits, <br>and the rivet heads are "pinched" in a way that looks familiar...<br>
Sorry for the huge pics...<br>
Thanks for your opinions!!<br>
Cheers,<br>
Mikael

[Lorenzo Brown]

I would return that one. I think the lack of details and poor quality would be enough reason to return the badge. If you look at the edge of the wreath in this picture, I think the badge looks cast. The file marks are soft and "indented"...they look like they were cast into the badge from an original rather than filed in.

[Tim B.]

Tend to agree with Lorenzo...

Mikael,

Either way, if you have doubts on the badge's authenticity and don't really enjoy looking at now, get rid of it as the badge is not going to "grow" on you later.

Trust you're gut!
Tim

[ERIC S.]

I agree - with all those doubts you'd never feel comfortable with it anyway - even if it were good. I'd send it back.
ERIC

[Jos L C]

Hi,
It looks like it's from a certain dealer...!!?
I've seen that look before...

Jos.

[mgidhagen]

Thank you, guys...!

...for your opinions! I have returned the badge to the Hamburg-based dealer. No problems at all, although they assured me of its authenticity...
Cheers,
Mikael

[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

Without actually handling this badge, I think it is may be OK (images can, of course be deceiving and can't tell you the whole story). The hinge/pin/catch/rivets all look correct for a zinc Juncker (wreath). I'm not sure if the eagle is tombak or zinc but the wreath definitely looks like zinc to me. The wreath has a typical thin silver plating, which appears to have very small scale bubbling - there is a spot above the right rivet where the plating has been knocked off one of the bubbles and the zinc basemetal is exposed - for me this is a good sign. Looking from the top down, I like the hand filing on the top edge of the eagle's wings.

I have a zinc Heer Flak which has the C.E.Juncker Berlin SW (no 68) marking, I'm pretty sure the badge is genuine (dare I say textbook?) so finding the non 68 marking on a zinc badge has precedent. My Heer Flak also has a rough texture to it. The only criteria I apply for the 68 marking variation is that IT should only be found on a zinc badge, not that EVERY zinc Juncker should have the 68 marking.

If it is a cast repro, it is very well done, but the hinge/pin/catch/rivets make the badge look genuine to me.

Regards
Mike K