Unique Pilot Observer Badge

[Rich G]

How many hinge types are allowed on FLL? It appears to me that almost any badge without a maker's mark automatically becomes an FLL. I still have problems with these barrel hinge FLL's.

Me too. I'm uneasy with this style of hinge on this pattern of badge. They always seem to be mint and never seen one with a trace of wear.

Something's not right.

Rich

[Jeff V]

I can understand the unease with these barrel hinge FLL's. I have wondered myself so sometime back I studied them closely and other than the hinge difference the only other difference I see is a little different way the rivet is applied compared to the block hinge badges. The finish and die seem identical to my eyes. My overall opinion is that these are original FLLs with a variant hinge.
best wishes,
jeff

[Larry Lipps]

Sorry for the slow response but I've been out of town for the weekend. Actually Richard Gordon basically answered my concerns about these badges. If these are the earliest badges, why are they always mint? There are plenty of block hinge FLL's that, even when mint, still look their age. I don't doubt that the eagle and wreath are identical to period examples. It's the same with some S&L Knights Crosses and any other award where the dies might have survived the war. Until some of these surface with believable wear, I plan on staying on the cautious side of the fence.

[George L]

I had a chance to review the same piece Lubo mentioned, yes, it was mint. Having had one in hand, I can say the quality, detail, and workmanship were superb. Other than the hinge, all else looked spot on to the standard block hinge FLL's.

[Jeff V]

Sorry for the slow response but I've been out of town for the weekend. Actually Richard Gordon basically answered my concerns about these badges. If these are the earliest badges, why are they always mint? There are plenty of block hinge FLL's that, even when mint, still look their age. I don't doubt that the eagle and wreath are identical to period examples. It's the same with some S&L Knights Crosses and any other award where the dies might have survived the war. Until some of these surface with believable wear, I plan on staying on the cautious side of the fence.

I have to agree with this Larry. For some reason the block hinge FLLs hardly ever are truly mint, yet these barrel hinge examples usually are quite minty. Very strange. How about some weights and measurements between the barrel hinge and block hinge examples?
best wishes,
jeff

[Jeff V]

I will start off with a couple of measurements for block hinge examples. I just had measurements of the wreath.

badge number 1: height 52.71
width 42.29

badge number 2: height 52.96
width 42.96

And a couple of pictures of badge number 1 for comparisons sake.
jeff

[Jeff V]

reverse of badge number 1. Hopefully Dietrich can help us out with the measurements on his friends barrel hinge example.
best wishes,
jeff