Fliegerschaftabzeichen

[medalnet]

Any comments on this one? Its made from Aluminum.

[mmiller]

If it was plain old nickel-silver, it would be one of a handful in the World collecting community, worth $25,000 or more. If it is the only aluminum version known in existance, it would be worth even more.

It is a fake. Is it being offered for sale?

Regards,
Mark

[Thomas Durante]

I can only agree with Mark here, a fantasy piece. I have seen a few others of these around for sale recently, but none with a gold wreath

Tom

[medalnet]

Believe it or not, but it is coined aluminium. Gold eloxated wreath.

[Leroy]

I would like to see this in hand (although the odds are about 50,000 to 1 that it IS fake). In the early 30's, aluminum was considered a very fashionable metal, a lot less common than nickle-silver.

[Ludwig]

I had a couple of those in the late 70s. IMO not original, even if I thought so then.

[medalnet]

Well I would put it on e-stand, but am not member enough to do so.

[WARLORD]

The Aliminume version of this badge is extreemly rare. Unfortunatly copies were made in the 70's so most that are seen are these fakes. THE NICKEL SILVER IS RARE BUT THIS IS THE ULITIMATE. However the value because of the fakes makes these seem fantersy pieces. The cloth version is even rarer. But real.

[Matthew]

.,.,

The Aliminume version of this badge is extreemly rare. The cloth version is even rarer. But real.

Any examples in existence?
cheers
Matt

[Thomas Durante]

Has anyone ever seen the aluminum version or would like to post it for discussion?

There were a few "supposidly" found together with a letter from the original manufacturer (not Juncker, but a some obscure maker). Highly suspect in my opinion without any further information.

Tom

[Matthew]

...

Anytime there are just a handful examples in existence but three (or more) "variants" are introduced, always makes me wonder what the need was to do it.
any ideas?
cheers
Matt

[Matthew]

...

Has anyone ever seen the aluminum version or would like to post it for discussion?

There were a few "supposidly" found together with a letter from the original manufacturer (not Juncker, but a some obscure maker). Highly suspect in my opinion without any further information.

Tom

if its from some unknown or obscure maker how can we discuss it? Is there any real way to compare it to known examples? I would be interested in a way to do it
(other than "you either believe it or not").
And then there is a cloth example..
cheers
Matt

[Thomas Durante]

Anytime there are just a handful examples in existence but three (or more) "variants" are introduced, always makes me wonder what the need was to do it.
any ideas?
cheers
Matt

Hi Matt,

Rightly so!

But there are certainly examples of this happening, even though it doesn't really make logical sense. Its because we don't have all the information 60+ years later. For example, there are different patterns of other equally rare awards such as the Oakleaves, Swords & Diamonds, etc.. We cannot fully explain why would such a rare award would need more than one pattern, all we know is that it happened, so if you accept this fact, then it opens the door to more than one variant for every other badge out there, especially the more common ones.

That is where a forensic analysis of the badges conveniently comes into play here and why pics of such badges are so important. Without pics, these "aluminum" badges and "cloth" badges will continue to be "highly suspect" variants of such an extremely rare award.

Unfortunately, fakers also will take advantage of the possibility of original variations in badges to market their reproductions as "rare variants" like the one that started this thread.

Tom

[Matthew]

...

agreed, without pics its just a few guys drinking beers and shooting s@#t.
I think manufacturing method between pilot badges and OSD's was slightly different althugh I understand what you're saying.
Would love to see some pics of the badges in question. If we could trace those to something more than "letter from manufacturer" it would be even better but I wont hold my breath.
cheers
Matt

[medalnet]

Here are some detail shots of the way the needle and hook are manufactured into the wreath. So different, actually fits right with those party celebration day and tinnies from the early days of the III.Reich, which would confirm the statement about the obscure manufacturer.