Assmann PO

[Philippe DB]

Hi Guys,

Today a friend of mine showed me this Assmann PO badge and asked for my opinion.

Although at first there were a few things that bothered me, after carefull considiration I reached the conclusion that this probably is an original badge.

Before going any deeper in to details I realy would appreciate your thoughts based upon the following scans

Thanks in advance

KR
Philippe

[Philippe DB]

Reverse with replaced catch

[Philippe DB]

Eagle detail

[Philippe DB]

Wreath detail

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Philippe,

I also think the badge is original but do not like the gilding at all.

Cheers, Frank

[Philippe DB]

Hinge

[Philippe DB]

Rivet

[Philippe DB]

And finaly mm. Sorry for the bad quality but couldn't get the badge close enough to the glass of the scanner

[Rich G]

While the photos make it look odd, I would say that the gilding is period because of the close up of where the rivetting tool has left the semi-circle around the right-hand-side of the rivet where it crashed against the wreath. If the gilding was post war applied, then there would be gilding in the semi-circle. The pic shows no evidence of gilding there nor over the rivet.


IMO a nice, but worn Assmann PO.


Rich

[ERIC S.]

I too believe it is an original Assmann, but..... is that eagle darkened in the recesses or is it just age and patina? If affirmative, that coupled with Franks' wreath finish assesment, would have me thinking if it's not just a Pilot Badge with a secondary finish. You do make a good case Richard regarding the cut by the rivit. Hmmmm?? A period piece nonetheless!
ERIC

[Philippe DB]

Thanks for your opinions guys,

After holding this badge for two seconds my first thought was, no problem original worn Assmann.

After looking more closely the doubts I had started with the finish, just like Frank I tought it was repainted, but taken in to account Rich comments that probably isn't the case.

Second thing I noticed was the very poor definition to the leaves and the last point was the uncommon eagles eye that also had less definition than on my Assmanns. But probably these are al the result of extensive wear in combination with the fact that these Assmanns wreaths show less detail than other maker.

So if we all agree my friend will be happy to hear that he has an original but well worn Assmann PO.

Thanks Guys

KR
Philippe

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Philippe,

Another thing I would like to mention is the very unusual wear pattern of the gold finish.
Look how worn off it is on the reverse around the catch area. Like a wonder the very reverse rim of the badge still has a lot of gold, especially on the right side.

On the obverse the gold is heavily worn off on the lower half of the wreath, while the top wreath shows almost no wear at all.

As Eric says, the eagle obverse seems a bit dark for a P/O where it should be bright silver. For a P/O speak the bright silver remains on the reverse under the wreath.

A strange P/O, somehow I am just not comfortable with the finish.

About the rivet: I think I do see minimal traces of gold in the "silver halfmoon" created by the tool. Look at the very top of the halfmoon.

Maybe I am just too suspicious but something seems to be not right.

Cheers, Frank

[Lorenzo Brown]

I think there are problems with this badge . Notice the very rough stippling on the wreath where the gold is gone. I haven't seen such a "rough" looking wreath before on an Assmann. Usually very smooth.

[Philippe DB]

Hi Frank,

I agree there is something strange to the finish and we'll probably never know for sure if it is an original PO.

However the badge itself is original and what you see is what you get. The value of this badge is most certainly affected by this question and by its general condition.

So this most certainly isn't an item for an advanced Luftwaffe collector but who knows can be of interest to younger collectors who otherwise wouldn't have the possibility to aquire such an item.

KR
Philippe