Dlb mm Assmann Observer for review

[realone]

Ok guys, your thoughts on this cased badge by Assmann,its marked twice

Thanks
Greg

[realone]

more pics

[realone]

last pics

[Rich G]

I think you have yourself a variation not often encountered. This may be the first time I have seen it in the observer badge. If I am seeing it right you have the thin neusilber wreath with either a zinc or aluminium eagle (I would assume it is Aluminium).

This combination was a kind of interim between the early pattern Assmann and the more commonly encounter thick later types. I've seen a few pilot badges in this configuration but with only the marking on the wreath. Never seen it with 2 markings. I just hope it is not a case of a replaced eagle because the rivets remind me of the zinc type.

Rich

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Greg,

Rich hit the nail on the head and I cannot add much to what he said. This is the first time for me too, to see this combination on an Observer. Typically we find this thin Nickel Silver wreath and Aluminum eagle on the PILOT badges, but not really on the observer. I like what I see and think the eagle could very well be aluminum, but a weight will probably be the only way to tell for sure. If it is aluminum, should weight around 15-20 grams. If the eagle is zinc, this badge would probably weight around 30 grams I would think.

I think the rivets are messed with, and tightened up. They have the general look of Assmann zinc rivets, but I think they are messed with and therefore it could be an early, aluminum badge with tightened rivets.

Tom

[AFF96]

Greg, I would love to know the weight?
Thanks & cool cased piece!
Greg

[realone]

Ok heres the weight 29g and I belive its zinc too,,,, hope this narrows it down some.

Greg

[Rich G]

Ok heres the weight 29g and I belive its zinc too,,,, hope this narrows it down some.

Greg

Then that explains the double marking and the rivets. Very weird combination!!

Rich

[Thomas Durante]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the weight Greg, and I agree that it confirms the eagle is indeed made from zinc. I can also see some oxidation bubbles on the reverse of the eagle, another indication of zinc.

With that said, this is a VERY interesting badge. We only know of this type of thin, Nickel Silver wreath (with A stamped on the wreath) from early, transitional Assmann PILOT badges. These pilot badges have ALUMINUM eagles and several of these have been posted recently, one by Greg (aff96), and Brian S and a few others. Those type of Pilot badges seem early, and the mixture of aluminum and nickel silver seem to suggest they were transitional pieces made around the time Assmann switched from Aluminum to Nickel Silver badges (circa 1939 or so IMO).

But this Observer, with a mixture of early wreath, but later ZINK eagle makes it more of the timeframe of 1942 or so IMO, would you guys agree? So the question arises...WHY would Assmann be using this type of early, thin wreath so late into the war? The flattened rivets are also consistent with Assmann's later war production, but was not really introduced until they switched to a ZINK wreath. I think they switched from spun rivets to flattened rivets due to the fear of breaking the brittle zink wreath, so it seems odd to see flattened rivets in combination with a Nickel Silver wreath. And I think that points holds the key. In my opinion, this could be a repaired badge, put together from different badge parts. Or it could have been a factory-repaired badge. Or could be a perfectly legitamate, mid-war Assmann variant. An interesting badge variant for sure!

Tom

[Tim Calvert]

I agree with all points and theories.
The wreath may have also been found in the shop, misplaced until later in the war,
and they decided to put it to use with the current zinc eagle being produced.
Or as stated, a possible factory repair.
Those are probably the most likely scenarios.
If so, then would be a one of a kind.

[realone]

Hi Guys,,,,thanks so much for all your help on this badge,,,

Best Regards

Greg