Gold transport w/pendant

[Leroy]

Could I please have comments on the attached transport clasp? I believe it is fine, but would appreciate input.
Thanks!
Leroy

[Leroy]

Back.

[mvm71]

Hi Leroy,

One more pic of the reverse with the clasp in the closed position would help make a final opinion possible. So far so good I believe.

Good Luck,
Mike

[Leroy]

Here's one!

[mvm71]

Hi Leroy,

I'm not sure about the block style hinge, trying to find pics of a proven orginal. What's the source of this badge? That helps too.

Jury is still out for me, I'll try doing some more research,
Mike

[Leroy]

Mike,
This is a vet piece from a U.S. pilot who ended up after the war as a senior pilot for PanAm and who retired to my area years ago. I got this clasp and 2 others from him, as well as a piece of German instrument panel. Thanks for your help!
Best,
Leroy

[Leroy]

Thought some more photos might be helpful.

[Leroy]

Back

[Leroy]

more

[Leroy]

still more

[Leroy]

Again. As you can tell, this is a zinc badge. The pin is magnetic.

[Leroy]

Anyone with any thoughts?

[mmiller]

Hi Leroy,
I'm not sure about the block style hinge,
Mike

Hi Leroy,

I have the same concerns as Mike regarding the block hinge. The catch seems unique to me, also. It looks like flat-wire stock; the more typical catch utilizes round-wire stock.

Does anyone else have an example using this style hardware?

Not sure?

Mark

[Leroy]

Hi, Mark,
Thanks your your comment!
I, too, have not seen this exact style of hinge and catch before (not even on fakes, and I have gone back at looked at all the fakes in Detlev's copy archive and on this forum and others without success).
Do you see anything wrong with the actual badge or pendant themselves? Whenever I see one thing I can't explain, I go back and look at everything else, too, in the hopes of seeing some other clue. I could find nothing else even the slightest bit questionable. The detail is perfect, the rivet is perfect, there are no signs of casting and the zinc looks....well, like old zinc (there is some zinc "pest" evident inside the wreath). The pin has the perfect polished gold tone I like to see, too. I have had this one more than 20 years and it came with 2 others of early quality (bomber and recon) right from the vet. I would be quite surprised if it were bad and I hate to condemn it just because it has something none of us have seen before. If it is bad, however, I would be very worried.
Any ideas from anyone?
Thanks!
Leroy

[mmiller]

Leroy,

All your comments are valid. Stranger things than an oddball block hinge have happened in 3R collecting. And since our examples will be involved 'in a greater cause'....... well, we are in the same boat! Did FLL (the unknown maker) ever make these FFS? The block hinge could be a link.

Now where is Garlasco? Of course, nowhere to be found when we need him. The putz.

To be determined, I guess.

Regards,
Mark

PS - I will be on-and-off-line today...I've got a bathroom renovation in progress. Today, I use the sledge hammer to smash old tiles. A Colt 1911A1 would work too. I'll check back to this thread a little later.