FLL Pilot's Badge - Thoughts Please

[Tim O.]

Hi Guys

I admit I feel a bit foolish asking this question but I would really appreciate the experts' opinions on this FLL Pilot Badge I received today. I cannot fault it and my only reason for asking is that it is in such good condition. In the hand the silver frosting has good highlights.

I prefer these FLL and the GWL pilot badges to the Junckers (which probably makes me a blasphemer!) so would love to get the thumbs up on this one.

I think it is good. The seller has a long history of sending me good stuff and there has never been any argument over the occasional item I have returned because I am unsure - so no problem in that direction.

Expert help please.

Thanks and best wishes
Tim O.

[Tim O.]

and the reverse...

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Tim,

Its a perfectly good original, early FLL in my opinion. Nothing wrong with it at all. I have a similar one, made with a brass wreath, but they are known to be made from Nickel Silver as well, which yours seems to be. Also has nice silver plating, on top of which was frosted white, which you can see on the obverse and where it was protected from wear on the reverse by the hinge. Eagle is also Nickel Silver and everything on the reverse points to a textbook FLL Pilot badge.

I really think these FLLs are underated, simply because they are unmarked. That means you can usually pick them up for 1/2 the price of a GWL or Juncker, and IMO, the quality of these early FLLs is better than Juncker

Tom

[Jos L C]

It's a really nice one, mr. blasphemer ...

Jos.

[Tim O.]

Gentlemen you have made my day! Thank you very much for the very prompt responses and for taking the time to reply.

I get very frustrated by the members who say these FLL badges are 'poor quality' and 'the least desirable' of the pilot badges. Look at the detail in the feathers - it is fantastic! It is good to know some others may feel the Junckers get too much attention.

best wishes
Tim O.

[Tim O.]

I think this photo shows an FLL pilot badge being worn.

best wishes
Tim O.

[Tim O.]

Zooming in...

[wolfeknives]

Tim, I am totally with you on the FLL pilots badge. It is my favorite of all the pilots badges. The fine detail on the breast feathers is fantastic. I don't mind them getting a bad rap, it makes them more affordable.

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Tim,

You are right, I think that is an FLL. Notice the characteristic thin legged swastika, especially the left leg, it can be seen clearly in the photo.

Tom

[Tim Calvert]

Hi Tim,

You are right, I think that is an FLL. Notice the characteristic thin legged swastika, especially the left leg, it can be seen clearly in the photo.

Tom

Yep, and the deep cuts on the wingtip.

Anybody have any timeline theories?

Since some of the tombak badges have the "thin legged" swas and some have the full legged swas, I assume all the zinc ones have the thin legs?

Here's a tombak one with full legged swas....
Anyone have a zinc FLL with a symmetrical swas???

[Tim O.]

Tim

The gentleman in the photo is Feldwebel Georg Spring of 4./StG 77. He was awarded the Pilot's Badge on 27th July 1940 but of course I cannot be sure the badge he is wearing is the award piece.

From the other awards worn this photo probably dates to the summer of 1943 (he got the DKiG on 17th May 1943 but is not yet wearing the Bomber Clasp with hanger, which he got on 4th October 1943). I always assumed this was taken in celebration of the DKiG.

Not sure if this helps!

best wishes
Tim O.

[Tim Calvert]

Tim O.

That's an exceptional picture and I'm glad to hear you have all that info to go with it!
I'm assuming that this picture didn't come with the pilot's badge you posted above? It looks to have a duller zinc style finish than your badge.
It could be that he went out and bought a new badge just for the photo shoot. 1943 would make sense.

Thanks,
Tim

Oh, P.S. Blasphemer!!!! Ha ha!

[Tim Calvert]

Tim, would you mind adding your picture to this thread??

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...light=Hartmann

[Tim O.]

Hi Tim

Nothing wrong with your eyesight - crikey! Absolutely correct, I bought the award certificates to Feldwebel Spring a couple of years ago and I'm trying to replicate his awards. I only got the Pilot Badge this week!

Another one of those sad cases unfortunately - all those awards won piloting a Ju 87 and the poor fellow was killed in training for conversion to the Fw190, when his plane crashed on approach for 'unknown' reasons.

best wishes
Tim O.

[Tim O.]

Tim

Pictures added to thread, as requested.

best wishes
Tim O.