Bomber Clasp with Hanger

[Tim O.]

Hi guys - I'm still trying to understand whether flat catches on clasp are a problem. This example is on the e-stand and of potential interest but has the catch some experts have suggested did not exist on original examples. I have an open mind on this as the wire catches are clearly weak so this would be a stronger and better design; perhaps an improvement on later examples?

Thoughts please.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=347030


best wishes
Tim O.

[michael c]

Hey Tim, a friend and I have been debating this very thing (flat wire catch). All of the buntmetal clasps we have in our collections have the 2 styles of round wire catch"s on them, so we are confused but think maybe this is a later buntmetal clasp that is using the early zinc style catches you see on some maker marked clasps. This is the second clasp I have seen with the flat catch, also a bomber. Other than the riddle with the catch the badge appears fine, I hope someone else will toss some info our way....Michael Maybe Leroy can help...please

[Wijtman01]

here is the type of catch thats on all of my 8 buntmetal bombers

[LuckyLuudje]

All my BM clasps have a round wire catch too.

But I wouldn't be too worried by the catch alone.
I have more of these extra ordinary items of wich I am sure (not only by myself) that it it original.
Strange things have happend.

I would ask for better pictures, too be sure if the rest of the clasp is OK.
Wait till some more experienced people than me will jump in.

[Tim O.]

Thanks for the contributions guys.

I was pondering the issue of clasps and began to think that the design has two inherent areas of weakness for wear by aircrew that traditionally wore these clasps in combat. Subjected to being caught under parachute harnesses and the shoulder straps of seat belts, as well as the constant putting on and removal of overalls, the wire claps and the triangular cut-outs in the wings become the weaknesses.

Following this logic it would be sensible to strengthen the clasp with a new design and to drill simple holes in the 'wing roots' rather than enlarging them to full triangles, thus giving additional strength. This could mean there are intermediate badges between the first buntmetall designs and the zinc form. Just a theory but I am not yet convinced by those who say only wire catches are original on buntmetall badges.

Most of my examples have wire catches, apart from this one: