GAS by RK for opinion please.

[Stu W]

This example has the fat bellied pin, three rivets and first pattern hinge attachment mentioned in the badge gallery I believe. I don't have a known original in hand to compare it to so would appreciate the opinion of other members before I consider purchasing this one. Thanks to all in advance.

3 pictures to follow.

Stu

[Stu W]

2/3

2/3

[Stu W]

3/3

3/3

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Stu,

I don't see a problem with this one so far. A straight-on shot of the eagle and a side shot of the catch would be useful though.

Regards
Mike

[Stu W]

3 more pic's

3 more pic's

[Stu W]

2/3

2/3

[Stu W]

3/3

3/3

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Stu,

Hmmm, I think this one just went into the not so easy category. The badge itself and the hinge/pin/catch assembly look genuine. The eagle does not appear "textbook" (it's not the standard RK/MuK5 style) so I am now questioning whether the eagle is a period variant or a more recent replacement. I am leaning towards the latter as it seems to be an exact match for the eagles found on the recent good RK repros. My other question is re the silver finish - whether it is original or whether it's been painted on (an discreet acetone test would determine this).

Regards
Mike

[Jeff V]

Hi Stu, this is a fake IMO. I tried to start a thread on this one a while back. There was not much interest. Maybe this one was made up after the war from some leftover parts. At any rate you will never be able to sell it so I would pass and wait for a textbook one. Here is the link to the other thread:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=153136

best wishes,
jeff

[Jeff V]

I have just looked at the pics again and this is the EXACT SAME BADGE! Do you have this in your hand? I last saw it at a local military antiques store. best wishes,
jeff

[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

Jeff, I just read through the other thread. Sorry, I must have missed it first time around (not hard with my work patterns).

Anyway, I noted the dimensions you stated. I whipped out my original example and the measurements match those stated by you - EXACTLY (OK, maybe +- 0.01 mm, but I'm using non-digital calipers). If they can cast a wreath that well, then we are scr*w*d!

Re the shear marks (or absence thereof) on this type of catch (shared by other badges such as JFS/RK 20/50 GABs, JFS 75/100 GABs, JFS 25-100 PABs, JFS CCCs, MuK5 LW GABs), some genuine examples can be found without the shear marks - normally due to wear though. Also note that shear marks are not the only distingusihing feature of this style of genuine catch - Stu's example does have the other feature I look for (quite evident in the pic in Post#6). From what I can see, although by no means definitive form the pics, the catch also appears to be correctly crimped in.

For me at this stage, it remains a genuine badge with ?replaced bogus eagle.

Regards
Mike

[Jeff V]

Hi Mike, I agree that this is for sure an original wreath. The measurements matched perfectly to my original as well. I know what you are talking about with the catch, but I really did not like this one when I had it in my hand. Who knows exactly the story of how this badge came to be, a grey area for sure. For me, I did not want it for my collection. best wishes,
jeff

[Stu W]

Wow, what a small world!

Checked the site and noted your replies. Thanks very much.

Jeff, I do have the badge in hand, as the dealer always lets me take them home and check them out before purchase. He's quite good that way. You are correct, it's the very same badge. No doubt about it. Even the smudges etc. are the same, not just the marks in the metal. Interesting point is that the seller picked it up on a recent trip to California. He just got back with it a couple days ago.

So, back it goes.

Regards to all...

Stu

[skip]

Dunno how that thread of yours went under Jeff. Not one reply! Can******180;t say I remember seeing it either.

Like both of you I am sceptical. Like Mike already indicated. Could have been denazified and then had a fake eagle added later. Rivets do look a little strange.

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