Luft. Flak - Ball Hinge 'Silver'?

[TobyR]

Hi Everybody,

I just thought I'd share this one with you. It's one of the unmarked Luft Flaks with the ball hinge (same setup (hinge and catch) as my AS (triangle) 2nd Pattern E-Boat).

This is the first time I've encountered one of these, aside from seeing them here on the forum.

It looks to be superbly modelled with very crisp detailing, esp. to the eagle and gun. Interestingly though, and I think I saw mention of this in another thread, but the badge has 'silver' scratched on the reverse. Although, it is written with the English spelling, could it be that the badge is 800 silver? I don't have a test kit with me presently but will try and make a test tomorrow. There is also what looks like a date and some other writing, a name perhaps, on the reverse of the wreath. Unfortunately, this didn't photograph too well and I can't quite make it out.

Anyway, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the badge.

Thanks for looking.

All the best,
Toby.

[TobyR]

Close-up of the eagle:

[TobyR]

Gun:

[TobyR]

Reverse:

[TobyR]

'Silver':

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Toby,

IMO, make that "Neusilber" or "German Silver" at best.

[TobyR]

Hi Frank,

Thanks for replying. Is it fair to assume that no German would have written 'silver' anyway?

All the best,

Toby.

[skip]

Hi Toby,

a German would have written "Silber", and even then for what reason, maybe it was the guys name! although also strange for a german name.

The badge is good though, and a very nice example as well. These are my personal favourites in the Luft Flak series and seem to be a little bit larger than all their counterparts from other manufacturers.

Skip

[TobyR]

Hi Skip,

Thanks for commenting. It does seem a little unusual were it a name. Is there such a name in German? It also seems odd that an English speaking person would write 'silver' on the reverse. It isn't immediately obvious and would seem a poor deceipt.

It is a nice badge though and not done justice in the pictures (somedays they just don't seem to go well).

All the best,
Toby.

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Toby,

Very, very, very unlikely a German last name. It seems like an "idiot scratching" to me. Maybe he scratched it a bit first, the "silver" coming thorugh convinced him it was silver and he felt like scratching the word on the badge to give it "more value".

[TobyR]

Hi Frank,

Your explanation seems most plausible. I suppose it could have even been a child - the writing certainly looks childlike.

Thanks again.

All the best,
Toby.

[Larry Lipps]

Hey guys, I need a little help here. I was going to deep six this badge that came from an estate because I thought it was bad. Am I to understand that these are an accepted maker?

[Sergey]

Hi Everybody,

I just thought I'd share this one with you. It's one of the unmarked Luft Flaks with the ball hinge (same setup (hinge and catch) as my AS (triangle) 2nd Pattern E-Boat).

This is the first time I've encountered one of these, aside from seeing them here on the forum.

It looks to be superbly modelled with very crisp detailing, esp. to the eagle and gun. Interestingly though, and I think I saw mention of this in another thread, but the badge has 'silver' scratched on the reverse. Although, it is written with the English spelling, could it be that the badge is 800 silver? I don't have a test kit with me presently but will try and make a test tomorrow. There is also what looks like a date and some other writing, a name perhaps, on the reverse of the wreath. Unfortunately, this didn't photograph too well and I can't quite make it out.

Anyway, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the badge.

Thanks for looking.

All the best,
Toby.

Hi Toby, I had the same ground dug badge. I dont know what mean SILVER on you badge, but I know exactly that my badge was made from nicel alloy and looks very similar to silver.
And my personal opinion that Germans usually used good metals only for high ranking awards.

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Snigley,

Yes, that is a good and accepted badge you have there. Unknown maker, hinge and catch could possibly point towards Adolf Scholze ("AS in triangle") though.