Luftwaffe Flak Patch

[Robert P.]

Now, that's beautiful! This type must have been for a Waffenrock, which I would love to own, especially with the bullion patches. What painstaking craftsmanship!

Robert

[Robert P.]

My humble offering, but a treasure to the man who was awarded it.

Robert

[Josh B.]

OK guys, now I'm getting kind of fired up about these things...
So, what are these worth, both piped and unpiped. I think I know 2 antique vendors where both versions are sitting around collecting dust...

Josh

[Josh B.]

Also, are these faked much??!!!

[john moody]

Hello all,
I am showing my age here, but I bought an original Flak patch way back in 1974 for the princely sum of 75p - three quarters of an English pound!
Just shows how much the value of Third Reich items have appreciated over the years.
Luftwaffe breast eagles (mint) were the same price, and a lovely HJ armband was £3.25.
I also bought a Luftwaffe einheihtsfeldmutze with seperate insignia for the enormous sum of £15!
It took six weeks to save up my pocket money for that!
The good old days.

John.

[Marc Garlasco]

The machine-made unpiped I would say is aboy $40-50 depending on quality. The bullion with cord at least $100, probably more.

[David Sims]

Luft Trade/Specialty Badges

I've been following with interest the discussion about Luft trade/specialty badges. I got started collecting them a few years back when a friend of mine sold me what he had collected and later decided to sell all of his Luft badges. Although I still collect Luft qualification badges, I have enjoyed the sideline challenge of attending shows and scouring the piles of Riker cases where these trade/specialty badges can be found. It's addictive since one starts with the basic-level badges and then wants those with the silver and gold braid. Plus they're still relatively affordable, unlike their big brother, cased cousins, e.g., pilot, observer, radio operator, aerial gunner, etc., badges. However, the bullion variety of trade/specialty badges can be a bit pricey. Brian Davis does a nice job of depicting and explaining trade/specialty badges in his Vol. II of Uniforms and Insignia of the Luftwaffe as does Roger James Bender in his The Luftwaffe. Here's what I've been able to pull together to date, and I'll keep searching.

[David Sims]

#2

[Marc Garlasco]

NICE - I have a horcher from a WOMAN going into my book...
Marc

[A.Alston]

WOW! Thats a really beautiful assortment of patches! I had no idea there were so many different types. If I might ask, what are the four on top in the second photo, the large ones that look like a flak patch but with a letter about the wings instead of cannon? Those are really attractive.

[Marc Garlasco]

E = Entfernungsmesser (rangefinder)
H = Horcher (sound locater)

[Robert P.]

I'm really impressed with your collection of patches. What a wonderful display! It must have taken you awhile to collect them. I collect Seefahrt tinnies, (29) makers so far, (2) short of completion. Here's a rangefinder's patch in place on an original Luftwaffe tropical flak tunic...

Robert

[Marc Garlasco]

Robert - that is gorgeous!

[GELIS44]

Hi guys!! Nice patches so far!! I enjoy collecting these. Here
is what I have so far. Ignore the Luft shoulder board.

Two added recently:

* Radio Direction Finder
&

* Radiomen

[Robert P.]

That's a very nice starting collection, obviously far beyond my one trade badge. Seeing yours in your nice wood/glass case makes me want to start picking up a few here and there. They make a nice display.

Robert