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**Thomas Durante** · 01-03-2011, 08:15 AM

Hi guys,

Hans, you are right it is in the fakes DB, but it was only put there because it was on Staegemeir's site. That was the sole reason it was deemed a fake, but I don't think it has ever been analyzed or discussed in such detail before.

I remain optimistic about this badge, but agree that it may also be a reproduction. I'm just not sure and I would hate for a perfectly fine original badge to be rejected as a fake simply because it showed up 1 time on Staegemeir's site.

Tom

**Jeff V** · 01-03-2011, 11:43 AM

For me the badge that started this thread is most likely an original. The hero has never even come close to the hardware on on of these before and here we have a perfect match on the rivets, hinge, catch and pin. The fact is the hero does sell some original badges amongst his sea of fakes. I think this is one of them. IF it is a fake then we shall soon see a flood of GWL pilots, and POs as well since the hardware is the most difficult thing to duplicate perfectly and now that he has done it those other badges will appear in quantity, again if the first badge is a fake.
If this had been on any other dealers site, I guess no questions would be asked.
best wishes,
jeff

**Marc Garlasco** · 01-03-2011, 01:39 PM

Jeff,
Well said and I am in total agreement.

Marc

**Indy** · 01-03-2011, 02:54 PM

guys,

I think Jos was correct. I checked my GWL PB and checked the very first Observer badge. I think the way to assemble and open up the revits doesn't make sense to me. Please check the revits on a good GWL PB or OB and think about how GWL did them. You will understand why I think the very first OB in this thread is a bad one.

regards,
Indy

**Indy** · 01-03-2011, 03:09 PM

I just put both pictures together to do the comparison.

you guys can see there are a lot of same marks whcih are not from casting if they are original pieces.

Thus, the wreath parts are from the same source.........I don't think they are from original die. Plus, the revits concept doesn't make sense to me. I think they are bad.

Attached Files

gwl ob.jpg (92.9 KB, 106 views)

**Jeff V** · 01-03-2011, 03:11 PM

Hi Indy, I do not see what you are comparing here. You are showing the exact same badge twice.
best wishes,
jeff

**Jeff V** · 01-03-2011, 03:18 PM

Here is an original GWL observer to compare. The lighter colored brown finish on the eagle is more typical of GWL observers whereas the dark blue black eagle on the questionable badge is not normally seen on observers from this maker. I admit I am not sure of that, I would have to see it in hand to see if it at least matched the darker brown pilot badge eagles. Anyway, look at the hardware, to me, it is a perfect match.
best wishes,
jeff

Attached Files

**Jeff V** · 01-03-2011, 03:18 PM

2

Attached Files

**Jeff V** · 01-03-2011, 03:19 PM

3

Attached Files

IMG_2228.JPG (93.7 KB, 105 views)

**Thomas Durante** · 01-03-2011, 03:20 PM

Originally posted by Indy View Post

I just put both pictures together to do the comparison.

you guys can see there are a lot of same marks whcih are not from casting if they are original pieces.

Thus, the wreath parts are from the same source.........I don't think they are from original die. Plus, the revits concept doesn't make sense to me. I think they are bad.

Indy, I already did this 2 pages ago, these are photographs of the EXACT SAME BADGE!!!!

Tom

**Indy** · 01-03-2011, 03:22 PM

Originally posted by Jeff V View Post

Hi Indy, I do not see what you are comparing here. You are showing the exact same badge twice.
best wishes,
jeff

looks like I jump too fast

.

my point is we can check the hardware to see if the concept makes sense to us or not.

**Thomas Durante** · 01-03-2011, 03:22 PM

Nice badge Jeff, textbook GWL.

Jos & John T, take a look at the maker mark closeup, you can see the exact same line by the G and the faint circular mark in the lower half of the maker mark, similar to the Observers in question from Staegemeir's site.

Tom

**Indy** · 01-03-2011, 03:27 PM

Originally posted by Thomas Durante View Post

Indy, I already did this 2 pages ago, these are photographs of the EXACT SAME BADGE!!!!

Tom

Tom,

sorry man, I didn't get my coffee done this morning. I jumped too fast here and .......made a joke.

I think i will get some sweet tea first.

**Jeff V** · 01-03-2011, 03:34 PM

Originally posted by Indy View Post

looks like I jump too fast

.

my point is we can check the hardware to see if the concept makes sense to us or not.

It happens to all of us sometimes Indy!

I think if you compare the hardware closeups of the badge I posted to the badge in question you will see the exact same hardware, down to the machine marks in the hinge and catch, and identical rivets. Also, I would like to add that GWL workers did not always use their good eye while applying these rivets and the crooked application on the badge in questions left rivet is commonly seen in originals.
best wishes,
jeff

**Marc Garlasco** · 01-03-2011, 03:43 PM

Moral of the story: Staegemeier has us jumping at shadows...that bastard is ruining things. Screw you you rat bastard.

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