Para Badge Opinion

[Thomas Durante]

Thanks for the dimensions Carl.

OK guys, so we have 2 positive comments on this badge so far, any more? The obverse die characteristics seem to match originals, but a few more comments would be good.

Thanks guys.

Tom

[Butch Gooch]

Badge

It looks good to me, but don't take my word. I bought a Fake Deaumer Observer this year! Butch

[Butch Gooch]

Oh BTW

However, I did get my $$ Back, Butch

[Patrick W]

The hinge is wider than on the usual zinc PM para, saying that Meybauer did use that type of hinge on other badges so looking at the finish, I think its ok

[Thomas Durante]

Patrick, can you show another Meybauer badge with this type of long hinge?

Thanks guys. Any more opinions?

Tom

[Patrick W]

Hi Tom

I guess you think this badge is probably bad? Here are some Ive dug out of old posts- good or bad I really don't know but my gut tells me probably real

[Patrick W]

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[Patrick W]

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[RegimentalDepot]

Glad you got your money back Butch.

Thanks for the comments guys. Please don't anyone hold back be it good or bad. My goal is accuracy. I want to offer it if it is ok but not if it is bad.

If it would help, if anyone would like I will be glad to send the badge to them for an in the hand examination.

[Thomas Durante]

Hi guys,

Well, as Patrick guessed it, I do not like this badge and its my opinion that it is a cast reproduction.

As I have been researching the Para badge book for the past 2 years, I have been able to handle and photograph dozens of Meybauer Paras. I also have pictures of over 200 others on file, many with weights and measurements that provide us with a good database. Was also able to handle several Observers too.

As I catalogued the variants of the Meybauer Paras by their different hardware, one thing stood out.......that they are VERY consistent in terms of hinge, catch, rivets and hand filing to the reverse edges. However, there were about 6 or 7 badges that varied from the norm, and Carl's badge was one of them. The ones that varied all had the long hinge, which oddly sticks out because the vast majority of the meybauers I have on file had short hinges. Not thinking much of it, I stuck all 6 or 7 into a separate file called "Long Hinge variant".

Once they were categorized separately, I started to notice other things that varied from "regular" meybauers, such as a weird finish, lack of hand filing on the reverse edges of the wreath, weird misshapen rivets, soft obverse detailing, etc. So that is when I began to think that the Meybauers with the long hinge might be questionable. At that time, I made a concerted effor to contact all the collectors that had these "questionable" Meybauer with the long hinge to see if I can get more detailed pics and measurements. In true collector fashion, Carl was VERY generous and kind to send me his badge to inspect in hand a few months ago after I contacted him about it. Several other collectors did to and I was able to get a good database of pics and dimensions from these "questionable" badges as well.

Anyway, long story short, it is clear to me that these badges (with the long barrel hinges) are cast reproductions of Meybauer badges. The biggest clue here is the dimensions, which are a good bit smaller than "textbook" originals. 6 of these long hinge Meybauers were sent to me and here is an average of their dimensions:

H = 52.0 mm
W = 41.4 mm


I also 2 original Meybauer Paras in my collection, as well as have 7 others on file with accurate dimensions, all very consistent with the following measurements:

H = 53.5 mm
W = 42.4 mm

As you can see, the fake Meybauer wreaths are a good bit smaller than originals.

In my opinion, the smaller dimensions alone are proof positive of cast reproductions. But if you look at them deeper and compare to known originals, you will see other differences as well.

1. Lack of hand filing on the reverse edges of the wreath. This is a very typical characteristic of Meybauer originals, but these fakes are completely flat in comparison.

2. The silver finish is not characteristic of Meybauer Paras. Originals have a very dark finish, almost black.

3. The rivets are not as neat and rounded like originals. Rather they are crudely shaped, often left with deep rings around them.

4. Eagle feathering details are very soft in a direct comparison with originals.

Standing on its own, these badges aren't too bad looking, but a comparison with originals leave much to be desired. The smaller dimensions in conjunction with all these other points speaks volumes that these are nothing more than well made, cast reproductions in my opinion.

Tom

[Thomas Durante]

Hi guys,

Here is a link to a similar type of Meybauer reproduction we discussed over at GCA not to long ago:

http://www.germancombatawards.com/th...=meybauer+para

Patrick, the Meybauer observer you show in post #22 is another one of these reproductions in my opinion. Shows all the typical characteristics of these fakes, and also notice the weird plate under the catch. Same one can be seen on this fake Para badge that I was able to shoot back in August. Same small dimensions and weak detail.

Tom

[Thomas Durante]

Here is the obverse of the fake Para.

Tom

[Steve P]

Woh! Thanks Tom, I don't think any of us would claim to have your knowledge here so this is a great lesson mate! Strange though I think I may have picked the one you posted as a fake!