Silver short range Night clasp

[HuD]

Hello guys, i just got a small consignement of badges and there are some interesting LW ones that i would like to share here to get some opinions.
The first one is what i believe to be a silver short range night fighter claps with the case. I think it has a factory repair on the wreath.
It would be great if you could tell me if the clasp is fine and eventually an idea of the value.
Many thanks,
Stefano

[HuD]

some more pics of the reverse of the badge and in the case

[HuD]

a couple of shots of the case

[Rich G]

I personally don't know how these nightfighter clasps can be authenticated because after all it's just an extra bit of black paint that could have been added at anytime.

Rich

[HuD]

a closer shot on the repair

[fdodge]

Rich makes a very good point in that the paint could have been added post war. I like to look at these under the magnification of a loupe. As for the repair of the wreath, the only way I can tell if it is done at the factory is to look for the finish to overlap on to the repaired area.
These cracks in the wreath are common to some maker(s) and don't bother me at all. That clasp is right as rain
As for a genuine night fighter, I don't know. I'd like to see the paint up close and especially around the crack. I would think that with so much wear overall, there would be less paint remaining on the wreath.
I'd like to hear what others have to say.

Regards,
Frank

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Stefano,

A nice original clasp, but agree that there is really no way to tell if it was always a nightfighter or not. I think the only way to tell is to see if the paint dates to the period with a SEM test.

The case is a reproduction IMO.

Tom

[Gene]

The blackening to the wreath appears original

[Marc Garlasco]

If there is any paint in the crack at the wreath...well, I would say that is a bad sign. But as Tom said, SEM!

[fdodge]

The case is a reproduction IMO.

I never paid any attention to the case but it looks like a lattice fake.

And if there was paint in the crack but the crack happened during the manufacturing process there very well could be paint there.
I'm not familiar with the SEM test. Somebody fill me in please.
Frank

[Thomas Durante]

SEM.....are 3 big words I can't pronounce

Dietrich used it to help determine that the Rounder RK was a fake because the paint used on the core was analyzed and turns out it was only produced after the war. He goes into good detail in the RK and DK books if you have either one of these Frank. Good, interesting reading.

Tom

[Marc Garlasco]

Stereo electron microscope

[Wijtman01]

case is a fake
but i like the clasp
buntmetal verssion? thats pretty awesome

[HuD]

Thanks a lot guys, i perfectly understand your concerns about the black paint on the wreath, i will try to take pictures of the crack with a mag loupe and will see.
I also had the very same feeling about the case... the material and the assembly looks pretty different from a bomber clasp + case that i got with it.
I will post it later on for your comments.
All the best,
Stefano

[HuD]

case is a fake
but i like the clasp
buntmetal verssion? thats pretty awesome

oh yes i like it too it's a nice probably worn clasp.
Is not made of zinc for sure, i guess it is buntmetal.
Best,
Stefano