A. Werner Named "A" Pilots Badge

[vonStubben]

What do you all think of this named Assmann Pilot's badge?

Chuck

[vonStubben]

Back

[Lubo]

Assmann pilot

Can you post a picture of the reverse

[vonStubben]

Replaced catch?

[vonStubben]

A Werner

[Lubo]

Assmann pilot

Looks like a good mid-war example to me, the catch might've repaired, the rivets look like somebody messed with them at some point

[Lubo]

Assmann pilot

The catch looks like it's been replaced

[Tim Calvert]

Unfortunatley the ENTIRE swasitka has been replaced!

[WEISNER]

Unfortunatley the ENTIRE swasitka has been replaced!

Tim is spot on! IMO at least broken off and resoldered on or replaced! In other words De NAZ and the Re NAZ.... Perhaps it is the original Swaz Tim?
Kevin

[Tim Calvert]

Hi Kevin,

Looks to be much bigger than the original. Check out the overlap on the wreath.
They did a fairly nice job of it.

[Darrell]

Hi Kevin,

Looks to be much bigger than the original. Check out the overlap on the wreath.
They did a fairly nice job of it.

Looks like one of those big ass Observer Swastikas that was added.

[Tim Calvert]

Looks like one of those big ass Observer Swastikas that was added.

Ha Ha! Or maybe the swasi is normal sized but the rest of the badge is "prinzen" sized!

Perhaps it was made for....The Artist Formerly Known as Prinzen

[vonStubben]

Unfortunatley the ENTIRE swasitka has been replaced!

Good eye! I was wondering when someone would realize that not only has the catch been repaired but the entire swastika has been replaced with an absolutely perfect join line and NO sloppy solder remnant (it hasn't been glued either). How it was done is a mystery to me but I believe the swastika repair must have been done by a very old school jeweler. To see the work under a loupe is truly amazing. The thickness of the swastika compared to the eagle is spot on, as are the contours of the break line below the talons and the cutting of the swastika body so it fits the matching contours above. The other interesting aspect of this repair is that both metals are the same and the color of both the eagle's body and that of the swastika, they match perfectly and have an identical patina. Many may disagree, but I believe the repair to have been made during the war but I am sure that others will say it is a de-nazified badge with a post war repair. I also think that the swastika is from an Observers badge. What are the thoughts on that?

Regards,

Chuck

[Tim Calvert]

Hi Chuck,

Yep, whoever worked on it did a very nice job! As far as the swasi being from an Observer, could you get some measurements?

In regards to it being done war time, what circumstances would have led to that? Maybe Herr Warner did not have it where it counts with the ladies and to make up for it, had his badge modified with an extra large "Magnum" sized swastika?

"Oh Alois, your stik ist SO BIG!"

??? I guess it's possible? Any other theories?

[George L]

I'd agree with the comments on the swaz being replaced, and the catch repaired, too. Looking at the first pic, it does appear that the upper tallon does have some slight discoloring below it, and I see a faint line on the reverse of the eagle that could indicate the merged parts line. The swaz looks too small to be from an observer IMO.