retired pilots badge

[Tim Calvert]

Chris,

I agree with you ... options were probably available. GWL pilots are a good example of a nice quality badge that was available in the later part of the war. However, I have a slightly worn GWL that belonged to a fighter pilot who was shot down and MIA over the Channel in 1942. So they shouldn't be considered only late war.

One of the things that bothers me about zinc badges though....besides the 60 year old finish....how do you tell if they were made May 7th '45, or May 10th '45??? You've all heard the stories of badges being made right through the occupation to sell or trade to G.I.s. (Love you long time).

The majority of my pieces are early or very early. I sleep like a baby.
I've had a few pieces in the past that kept me awake at night. Sold them to Jos!

[Jeff V]

Chris,

I agree with you ... options were probably available. GWL pilots are a good example of a nice quality badge that was available in the later part of the war. However, I have a slightly worn GWL that belonged to a fighter pilot who was shot down and MIA over the Channel in 1942. So they shouldn't be considered only late war.

One of the things that bothers me about zinc badges though....besides the 60 year old finish....how do you tell if they were made May 7th '45, or May 10th '45??? You've all heard the stories of badges being made right through the occupation to sell or trade to G.I.s. (Love you long time).

The majority of my pieces are early or very early. I sleep like a baby.
I've had a few pieces in the past that kept me awake at night. Sold them to Jos!

I'm sorry Tim, your theory does not make any sense to me. Why would a buntmetal badge give you comfort that it was made during the war only? Zinc badges were made during the war as an expedient, the metal was cheaper. After the war there was no such problem. Look at some known postwar products. Bob Hritz recently posted a Kreigsmarine close combat clasp made by S&L after the war, but before their "57 products. It was not made in zinc.
Bottom line it is the features of the badges in total, not the material the badge was manufactured in, that determines originality. best wishes,
jeff

[Tim Calvert]

Hi Jeff,

I'm not saying I'll take anything simply because it's tombak. Believe me, far from it.
I'm referring to early badges with the proper die characteristics only. For instance, they were no longer making J1 pilot's and pilot observer badges in 1945.

However, we all agree that there were tons of legit zinc badges being produced May 7th '45.
Catch my drift?

[George L]

William, besides the award doc, I'd think an entry in the soldbuch would also suffice for getting replacements.

[Terry OToole]

very enjoyable and informative ,thanks guys i ve learn t a lot ,many thanks Terry

[Jeff V]

Hi Jeff,

I'm not saying I'll take anything simply because it's tombak. Believe me, far from it.
I'm referring to early badges with the proper die characteristics only. For instance, they were no longer making J1 pilot's and pilot observer badges in 1945.

However, we all agree that there were tons of legit zinc badges being produced May 7th '45.
Catch my drift?

Fair enough Tim. best wishes,
jeff

[all1knew]

another for reference.

William Kramer

[all1knew]

2

[all1knew]

3

[Scott C.]

I still have mine, although I think the community has largely voted these down.

[Silver]

another for reference.

William Kramer

The Case is not a Original!

The badge Im not sure but I would not buy it for my Collection!

Maybe for little money....too critical to pay for a lot of money....

[Thomas Durante]

Both case and badge are postwar fakes.

Tom

[Blitzbundeln]

Hi Collector Friends,

There are a lot of fakes but I do believe there must be pre may 1945 zinc badges. I think that because they were still sold in november 1944 for RM 4,- and considering the late stage of the war they were probably zinc. (Deutsche Zeitschrift issue 1944.)

Greetz,
Blitz

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ed+Pilot+Badge

[Terry OToole]

could I come back to the badge that started this thread ? if its proved not original despite the favourable comments then back to the dealer I bought it from it will go , cheers Terry

[Sebastien T]

Nice badge but Post war S&L.

Seb