GWL Badges

[Scott C.]

I have to add my "WOW" . An amazing find - congratulations!

Scott

[Larry Lipps]

With GWL's being by far my personal favorite I can only say that the only thing that could be better was if it had happened to me. Congratulations!

[Tim Calvert]

Congrats TH and thanks for sharing.

It's interesting that there were still nice tombak badges ready to be issued at the end of the war. I've often wondered if zincers and tombak badges were available side by side earlier and later than has been previously thought (rather than most badge manufacturers switching to zinc in '42).

It could be possible that zinc badges were available in 1940 for those that didn't want to spend the $$ on a tombak badge and vice~versa in 1945.

Also...have you ever seen a zinc GWL pilot or Observer? Not me. Of course it could be that the badges were made in 1941 and still sitting on a shelf at the end of the war.

[skip]

I have only once seen a GWL zinc Pilots and it was in a terrible condition. Never a Obs. though.

Skip

[Graeme]

Tim

Super catch

regards
Graeme

[George L]

Tim, I think you're right in proposing these badges to be of later vintage. Why? They all seem to come in those late war cases with the paper covered cardboard instead of the earlier ribbed material. Maybe they were the "deluxe-o" models of the day. Just a theory.

I'd agree with all those on the finish holding up on GWL's. Between the brightly finished wreaths, and the overall thickness...they must have looked spectacular on a tunic "back in the day"!

PS I'd love to own one of the Observers

[Doug Kenwright]

What would have been better was the RCAF man bringing them home to Canada, and living next door to me

(assuming, of course, you are not in London Ontario..!!)

[Tim Hart]

Kurskss

Vancoover is where they have been hiding since 45 until about three weeks ago!!!!

Regards,

[Doug Kenwright]

Ha ! those birdies do a bit of flying! how did you find out about them?

[Steve Mezey]

Lucky Man

Tim
You are very fortunate
Early festive present for sure.
Steve

[IVAN]

WOW TIM, no words for them...

don't stop to show closed photos of them ...

[Gerard/Relic Hunter]

Hi Guys,
I am trying to learn badges and have a newbie type question. These were unissued, I take it. So, was the swastica silver on the badge and didn't have the patina of the eagle applied to it? Also, I guess they only put the patina finish on the front of the badge and not the back? Hopeful for replies.

Gerard

[Tim Hart]

Gerard

Take a closer look at posts 18 and 19. You will see that the bluing is applied to both the obverse and reverse of the eagle, the only exception being the obverse of the swastica. This approach is also consistent with Juncker manufactured pieces and Juncker related makers too.

Regards,

Tim

[Gerard/Relic Hunter]

In number 22, it is much lighter on the reverse of the eagle. Is that paticular to Observer badges by GWL or are some heavier blued, some lighter blued? Is the swastica always left unblued?

Gerard

[Tim Hart]

You will always find variances, the Observer in question is certainly carrying a lighter bluing and in my experience the obverse of the swastica is normally not blued for the badges I have already mentioned. I cannot speak for all Luftwaffe badge manufacturers, since I am fairly specialised. Nevertheless, my belief is that should indeed be the case.

Regards,