Stijn,
Thanks for the information.
I am wondering if what we are seeing is "award" badges from the primary government suppliers (Juncker and BSW), which it appears all these fellows were (fortunately for them) able to retain, but other badges manufactured for a "secondary" market which never really materialized. The German badge manufacturers were purely profit motivated and it is hard for me to believe that no one else "jumped into the game" for these qualification badges. There are very few, if any, badges which were produced by only one or two manufacturers. This has been seen, I believe, on both the Condor tank badges and the APB's and becomes more obvious with each passing year. In the case of the glider badge, there ended up being very low demand, both because the number of forces declined AND the original holders were able to keep and use their original badges, but this was not something badge manufacturers could have anticipated. The reason we seem to see these ball-hinge types more frequently may be something as simple as there being quantities left over and never purchased or handed out.
I, too, would like to see a photo of one of these, but doubt if that is really likely. In the meantime, it does not seem too much of a stretch to believe that there were several manufacturers, especially given the construction, finish, etc., of these types and the fact that most fake glider badges are readily identifiable as such and try to emulate, by marking or style, Juncker or BSW.
Best,
Leroy
Thanks for the information.
I am wondering if what we are seeing is "award" badges from the primary government suppliers (Juncker and BSW), which it appears all these fellows were (fortunately for them) able to retain, but other badges manufactured for a "secondary" market which never really materialized. The German badge manufacturers were purely profit motivated and it is hard for me to believe that no one else "jumped into the game" for these qualification badges. There are very few, if any, badges which were produced by only one or two manufacturers. This has been seen, I believe, on both the Condor tank badges and the APB's and becomes more obvious with each passing year. In the case of the glider badge, there ended up being very low demand, both because the number of forces declined AND the original holders were able to keep and use their original badges, but this was not something badge manufacturers could have anticipated. The reason we seem to see these ball-hinge types more frequently may be something as simple as there being quantities left over and never purchased or handed out.
I, too, would like to see a photo of one of these, but doubt if that is really likely. In the meantime, it does not seem too much of a stretch to believe that there were several manufacturers, especially given the construction, finish, etc., of these types and the fact that most fake glider badges are readily identifiable as such and try to emulate, by marking or style, Juncker or BSW.
Best,
Leroy
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