New Para Badge BSW opinions please..

[ShedHunter]

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the pics. Can you tell me why some of the bsw eagles are gilt and some are not? I value everyones opinion on here also and really appreciate there input. I hope mark tells me what he sees and maybe I can take some better pics for him.
Thanks,
Tony

[Tim B.]

Tony,

I think the gilding on yours has just worn off, that's all. Look between the wings and I think I can see some gilt in the lower recesses on yours.

I was just VERY lucky to get a piece that was in this condition. Still, you have to always look at these items with the plus and minus points, on mine you'll notice the pin is slightly offset from center and not as good as yours, so not perfect. Hard to find perfect, so you get the best you can can when it comes around.
Tim

[ShedHunter]

Tim,

I see. Good to know. This stuff is hard to find. I have a friend who started back in the 50's. He still has his first helmet he got in 58. It was all in closets and attics back then. Times sure have changed. My Grandfathers family name was Ball. Not a very common maker mark.

[IVAN]

hi,

sorry for late...

take a look at this thread .......and compare yours , especially in leafs, talons and catch...
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...light=para+bsw
Ivan

[Thomas Durante]

Hi guys,

I see absolutely nothing wrong with the badge that started this thread, looks like a nice original IMO with a slightly different catch.

Tom

[mmiller]

Maybe it's the lighting or something, but the first badge has me confused. I think we all agree that the badge is buntmetal. Should we not be seeing some brass or copper or maybe nickel silver at the wear spots? I just can't tell, but typically I would want to see tombak, under the thinning or worn plating, be it silver or gilt. And the same applies on the eagle, with the exception that sometimes they are brass. But look at the reverse of the eagle, where the gilt is thinning. What is the basemetal?

Look at top of the left arm in the 'W', and where it sits in the cloverleaf. Notice how high up some Ws are placed in regards to the bottom leaf and where it is connected to the other leafs.

Maybe better close-ups would help. But as Skip pointed out on the other Forum, they are making very convincing BSWs these days.

And then there was the issue as to the exact style of catch. Not sure how that debate played out?

Regards,
Mark

[ShedHunter]

Here are acouple more pics. I can tell the eagle is brass. The badge weighs 35.4 grams. I have looked at the known fakes and the eagle on this one looks good to me. I am new to the hobby and would like to know one way or the other on this badge. My pics are not the best I know.

[Thomas Durante]

I still like it, your additional pics only help to confirm its originality IMO. The eagle looks very worn, it was probably polished up at some point as there isn't much of the gilding left on it either, but no less original IMO.

Tom

[Ludwig]

I´m not an expert, but I think it looks OK. Would be very surprised if it turned out to be a fake.

[ShedHunter]

Thanks guys. I have no doubt myself but I am no expert. I did a search for BSW paras and I cant find anything wrong with it when comparing to other known originals.

Tony

[Tim B.]

Tony,

I still like it as well.
Tim

[spectre]

Tony, I think your badge is good as well. Everything looks fine to me, the only difference I see between my example here and Tim's is that the cut out under the main wing and tail feathers on yours is more open.

You can see the saw blade cuts on all the badges here, somebody just got a little more carried away on yours, it happened.

Alan

Are you in Leadville? I just moved back from 9 years in CO.

[spectre]

back

[ShedHunter]

Thanks guys I really appreciate it. I would hate to think it was no good.

Tony

[ShedHunter]

Hi Alan,

I live in Silverthorne. Not quite as high as Leadville. I spend alot of time around there though. Did you live in Leadville? Beautiful area.

Tony