Tombak Assmann Glider on Manions

[Rik]

Hi Marc,

I think it's the same catch. Don;t know how to call it but it looks like an optical illusion. Due to the close up you can't see the bending of the catch but it is there.

It may be my eyes, or it may be digital imaging, but the
catch in the full reverse shot looks different than the 'catch' in the close-up shot. Anybody else see what I am trying to describe. In the full reverse, the catch almost looks bent and 'pinched' closed. In the close-up, the catch looks perfect.


Maybe I've been sniffing too much glue, I dunno.

Mark

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Mark,

I thought the same thing as you at first, but looking at the side shot of the catch more closely, I think you can see how the top is bent away from the camera (and that would make sense when you look at the full reverse shot of the badge). Also seems that the parts of the catch where the silver finish has worn off looks the same on both pictures, so I think we are looking at the same catch IMO.

Tony, that was a great find in Detlev's book! That lends some further positive thoughts IMO. At least we can now say there are 2 of these, that appear to be consistent with eachother as far as construction type (and which is consistent with other Assmann badges). Its not just a single one that popped up on a dubious auction site.

Tom

[mmiller]

Morning Tom,

I hear what you are saying, you may be right, it may be the same catch, but I'm still not 100% convinced. The top would have to be bent 'towards' the camera. Doesn't the open end of the catch look 'pinched' downward in the full reverse, almost closing the catch shut? Doesn't the top of the catch as it bends downward look longer in the full reverse?

It could be a depth-of-field issue, but another close-up angle shot, 90 degrees off from the existing close-up, would be necessary. One facing the open end on the catch. I doubt we will get it.

I have attached a couple of Assmann's to show you what I mean. I wouldn't normally be scrutinizing a badge to this degree, but, if pre45, it is a newcomer to the hobby and a first.

Regards,
Mark

Hi Mark,

I thought the same thing as you at first, but looking at the side shot of the catch more closely, I think you can see how the top is bent away from the camera (and that would make sense when you look at the full reverse shot of the badge). Also seems that the parts of the catch where the silver finish has worn off looks the same on both pictures, so I think we are looking at the same catch IMO.


Tom

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Mark,

Yes, we need some really good shots like you just provided. Beautiful btw

On the Assmann Glider in questin, if we look below the catch on the reverse shot, there appears to be too dark discoloration patches. I think both of these patches can be seen in the catch closeup as well.

Tom

[Nick Carraway]

I am with Tom on this one. Look at the top of the catch in the closeup - it is out of focus away from the lens which shows it is bent away.

[Sebastien T]

Here's the badge description on the auction site with two more pictures:

The 2008 Previtera LW Badge book fails to note this maker as a Glider marker w/7 other LW badges shown by Assmann. This early high quality Tombac badge weights in at 32 grams. The well detailed oak leaves wreath is so narrow at the top union that the barrel hinge appears to be holding it together. The frosted silver finish shows darkening at the highlights and the cut-out swastika is burnished bright. 2 domed bronze rivets have nipple centers and hold an excellent detailed eagle with dark blue/black finish. Worn bright highlights and trademark raised ''A'' to reverse. Non magnetic barrel hinge, silver wire pin and catch wire. Shows light honest tunic use only.....


Concerning the catch, I'm with Tom as well. You can clearly that it is bent away and you also see the rusty color as well as the crack on top of it.

[mmiller]

Tom,

Good eyes with the discoloration patches. That just about confirms that it's the same catch.

As to the 'bending away', Viewed in full reverse, I agree that the top of the pin is bent downward, and toward the bottom of the badge. You said "but looking at the side shot of the catch more closely, I think you can see how the top is bent away from the camera". When I look at the close-up, facing from the bottom of the badge inward, the catch should still be bent toward the bottom of the badge, ie - inward toward the focal plane. That's where I am missing something in your translation. You say bent away? I say toward.


Mark

[Daniel.C]

Great discussion

I was snooping around Manions last night when I bumped into the Assmann glider and definetly had a "what the hell?"moment. Still has eighteen days to go.You can keep cable T.V to me this is reality drama.
Dan Cunningham

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Mark,

I meant to say "tip" of the catch was bent away from the camera, not the "top" of the catch

I thought we were close enough so that you can read my mind

Tom

[mmiller]

Hi Tom,

Semantics.

Carefull about saying 'we we close enough'. This thread could take on a whole new context!!!



Mark

Hi Mark,

I meant to say "tip" of the catch was bent away from the camera, not the "top" of the catch

I thought we were close enough so that you can read my mind

Tom

[JJS]

Glider

The fact that a badge virtually identical to this one is illustrated in Detlev's 2008 book (the third edition) weighs very heavily in favor of this being a genuine wartime article. I know for a fact that Detlev only put items into his book that he felt absolutely certain about.
--JJS

[Sebastien T]

Hello,

Here's the dimensions:

Height: 55mm
Wings span: 53mm
witdh: +- 40mm
weight: 32 Grams

[Jos L C]

You guys have seen many Assmann badges ..

Noone thinks the barrel hinge is rather bulky, the rivets are rather small, the maker mark is rather small, the wreath has round edges and there's no hand finishing, no file marks .. ?!

Jos.

[mmiller]

But Jos,

The Assmann Glider Badge is a V-A-R-I-A-T-I-O-N, so perfectly acceptable to have non-standard Assmann characteristics!

And I still ask, if you owned this AUTHENTIC RARE AS HELL Glider Badge, why would you sell it through Manions? Why would you sell it at all?



Mark

Noone thinks the barrel hinge is rather bulky, the rivets are rather small, the maker mark is rather small, the wreath has round edges and there's no hand finishing, no file marks .. ?!

Jos.

[Stijn David]

glider badge

Hello


Interesting thread. I however ask myself the following question => quite a few seems to be convinced that there did pop up now 2 "A" marked badges. Why are you guys so sure? Could'nt it be the very same badge?.

1) first pictured by Detlev
2) Now on sale through Manions.

As far as the knowledge go's we can say the following with certainity:

- there is no proof (whatever that might be) that Assmann did wartime produce the glider badge

and

- there is no proof (whatever that migh be) that Assmann did not wartime produce the Luftwaffe glider badge.

So IMHO it is up towards each of his own to believe whatever he wants. It can go al ways from there.

Cordial greetings,