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[mike smith]

I would welcom opinions on the following badge please.I was led to beleive it was an unmarked s/l.I am concerned ubout the rubbed oakleaves at top.Could this be a die fault.

[mike smith]

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2nd,view

[mike smith]

3rd.view

[mike smith]

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Not one opinion.Come on all you f.j. members.Give me some ideas.

[mrg]

Hi Mike no FJ guy so dont take this as gospel but I have had a couple over the years. The wreath going off those pics does not look like a die fault. Also if you notice the bottom tie bands their is also so sort of blob sitting across it. A pitted eagle also raises concerns for me. Just my thoughts. Hope this gets you started.

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Mike,

These S&L badges are tricky and there is no real good consensus on them. Your eagle looks like it might be made of Cupal, can you tell if it is? You should see a bright silver band in the middle of eagle, see the attached picture.

Your rivets and hardware look good for the "accepted" wartime S&L paras. S&L is known to have used cupal eagles, but the pitting on the reverse is troubling as well as the large lumps of material on the wreath band and top of the wreath. This could be a sure sign of a cast reproduction. Hard to be sure without really good closeup pictures.

Tom

[mike smith]

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Thanks Tom.
Yes it as the same marks as your badge Tom a silver band,i will do better picture shortly.

[wh014d4394]

you sure its not a blob of solder???? a repair?

[mike smith]

definetly not a repair Jim.

[mike smith]

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More detailed photo,s

[Tim B.]

Hi Mike,

I don't normally collect zinc badges unless there is no choice, so my comments and knowledge on them will be limited.

First impressions of the badge are very positive, I honestly thought it looked completely correct, but the "blobs" would concern me, especially as they are not repaired areas. The badge does not appear to be cast, at least I don't see evidence of it in the PICS. Could these blobs be from a worn die?
Tim

[mike smith]

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Hi Tim
That is what i first thought.Although T.durant pointed out that my eagle was cupal which is correct for this badge.It is still a mystery because the bow at the bottom as a strange mark as well.Thanks for your comment.I will try to post more photo,s.
regards Mike.

[Ludwig]

I do not like what I see, but as always – pictures don´t say everything.

[Thomas Durante]

Hi guys,

It looks like some blobs of solder got onto the obverse of the badge from soldering the hinge and catch. That is known from other S&L badges, I have a CCC that has a lot of excess solder that made its way to the front of the badge.

It also makes sense that the blobs are very close to where the hinge and catch are on the reverse and if the hardware has the original blackened finish like the wreath, then that would also confirm that it is most likely excess solder. can you verify that Mike?

Tom

[mike smith]

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Hi. Tom
The hardware as the same appearence as the wreath but the hinge and catch are very neatly done.The pin and catch show a brassy colour where they have worn,i am baffled Tom.I am having probs sending photo, i took with microscope camera,i cannot seem to resize them if i could the detail is fantastic.I will try again.Regards Mike.