Help needed on Para Badge.

[mike.c.]

Hi Guys,
Would like your opinions on this badge Juncker marked.
It looks nice but is it any good??
KR mike.c

[mike.c.]

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[mike.c.]

pic3

[Robert P.]

My goodness, they're getting really good on the eagle and wreath, hardware too....but the maker mark... Badge is no good!

Robert

[deejay]

I agree with Robert, the badge is a (very good) fake...

[Robert P.]

DJ,

Look at the large file marks on the top of the badge, something Juncker always used. Look how it's even finished like a Juncker around the wreath. The hinge is correct, but of the wrong material. The catch the same. I think these are some of the newer copies coming out of China today. They really have the fine art of soldering down, but the finish on the wreath and especially the eagle is all wrong. Look at even the cut marks above the hinge. I hope they're reading this. "Never happen, G.I.".

Robert

[mike.c.]

Cheers Robert for the info.
The edges of the wreath are very smooth, on a genuine badge would it show shear marks? On the genuine makers mark the L seems to slope back, is this something I should look out for in the future?
Thanks again mike.c

[Robert P.]

Cheers Robert for the info.
The edges of the wreath are very smooth, on a genuine badge would it show shear marks? On the genuine makers mark the L seems to slope back, is this something I should look out for in the future?
Thanks again mike.c

Mike,

On an original tombak badge you can see evidence of coming from the die-forging process. It is not really smooth, but slightly crude. Study the maker's marks in the archived badges, and get them imprinted into your brain. It will save you plenty of time in searching for good badges. Our forum's archives are stuffed full of Luftwaffe badges that can really help you learn the ropes. The fakers are getting better, but these simple things like reading the maker's marks can save you. Just do some searches for 'Juncker Para'.

Robert

[Robert P.]

Here's a Juncker pilot badge showing the edge. This badge was die-forged. As you can see it's not perfectly smooth, but shows signs of being formed under tremendous pressure. I don't like to see a perfectly smooth edge. They were just not that perfect. Studying the archives you'll find many more examples to view.

Study every letter in the Juncker mark. It cannot be copied perfectly...

Robert

[Jos L C]

Smooth badge..
Don't like the hinge and catch, nor the 'dusty" look..
Swas isn't worked,bad makermark etc.., still a lot wrong.., no worries.

Jos.

[spectre]

High quality repro but a long away from the real thing.

Alan

[Robert P.]

Jos is right. Side by side comparison would show a lot of direct differences still. A high quality repro? Exactly, Alan. Think of all those interested parties paying good money for these, not knowing any better!

Robert