Retired Pilot's Badge - Question

[Leroy]

Tom,
There is a totally separate pricelist for minatures and if you'll give me a few minutes, I'll find it for you.
Best,
Leroy

[Leroy]

The miniatures pricelist (published in January, 1945) is on page 118 of Weber's book on the LW Ground Combat Badge and the pricelist for full-size awards (published in November, 1944) is on page 94. It's not like these publications were the internet of their day and provided "hot news". They provided a voice for official announcements which those in the industry knew were coming and which were already the subject of discussion within the LDO and its membership.

[George L]

FYI - John T had a zinc'r for sale recently. I don't know enough about them to give an opinion...

[Leroy]

I saw John's and was very distressed that it was already sold. Looked like a nice piece, and he's a great guy!

[Lubo]

Can anyone send me the sales thread? I can't find it!

[Leroy]

Item LW0050: http://www.germanwarbooty.com/Luftwaffe%20Badges.htm

[chuck k]

don't post much,just try and read and learn,i bought that piece from john,don't know much about the them ,bought it on his great rep. and yes he is a great guy,oh,and i love the piece.
chuck

[Thomas Durante]

Hi guys,

Leroy, thanks for the info and I see it in Sascha's book. Much appreciated.

So that really pushes the date back for the allowing of retails sales by a few months, from January 1945 to before November of 1944. This is important for badges such as the contentious Assmann Pilot and Para badges that bear the L/64 marking. Previous authors have claimed these to be post war produce badges, but articles like this help dispell such theories with period documentation.

On the zinc badge sold by John, it has very believable wartime hardware and finish, nothing really screams postwar to me. Although it might not be a Juncker badge, the finish and hardware reminds me of S&L badges.

Tom

[Leroy]

Chuck - you are a lucky guy. If you become inclined to sell it, let me know!

[chuck k]

thanks leroy,don't think so anytime soon,but will remember you first if i do
chuck

[Leroy]

I appreciate it, Chuck!

Tom, the one bought by Chuck from John looks to be the same type shown on this Ludenscheid "salesman board" (really a souvenir board assembled right after the war), so your speculation about S&L could be exactly right.

[Leroy]

Chuck's badge:

[Thomas Durante]

Ah yes, I remember that one know Leroy. Looks identical to me from a quick glance. The one on the board also looks to be zinc based on the swastika.

Tom

[90th Light]

Again a very interesting thread on WAF.

One thing that also seems to have got no mention here is the "ball hinge glider" badge which is dimissed by many as post war (although there are some who can see they are correct & period) and this causes me a lot of distress to say the least because I got my one directly from a New Zealand veteran who was a prisoner of war in Germany in May 1945 and picked it up with several other LW awards from a LW base upon liberation.

And to now put "the cat amongst the pigeons" on the this one. Many years ago now I picked up an LW retired pilots badge in zinc with the maker mark "L/11" on it. In fact I still have that one some where because it is the only one I have ever had the chance to buy.

I wonder if the zinc unmarked example which John sold and Chuck bought is Juncker or Deumer ?

Chris

[Leroy]

Chris,
I think it is either S&L or Deumer, but that's just my speculation based on the one on the souvenir board. Could also be Assmann, GWL, FLL, or some of the other badge makers in Ludenscheid, but my money would be on S&L or Deumer. Your L/11 would be right for Deumer.
Best,
Leroy

P.S. I'm with you on the ball-hinge glider. Undoubtedly real, in my opinion.