FLAK badge unidentified maker

[Explorer]

This is a ground find, dug it up myself. Can you help me with the maker?

[Thomas Durante]

This type of flak is commonly referred to as the "ball hinge", maker is still unknown at this time but quite possibly Adolf Scholze IMO.

Hard to be sure if it is original due to its condition, but if it is the reverse hardware has been replaced (both hinge and catch).

Tom

[Explorer]

Hello Thomas. Thank you for your answer. What does the "ball hinge" refer to?

I don't have any doubts about it's originality but I understand you why one might. Like I said, I dug it up myself (I know the location and what was happening there), this badge was definitely worn and thrown away in May 1945.

[Thomas Durante]

Hello Thomas. Thank you for your answer. What does the "ball hinge" refer to?

It refers to the type of hinge we see on these badges, it is a ball that was crimped into the reverse.

That is how we know yours was repaired, because the hinge is yours is NOT typical of this maker. Same with the catch, it is repaired.

Tom

[Explorer]

Two more pics of it being dry.

[Rik]

I agree with Tom. If original the hardware has been replaced.

[Doggie]

Very nice one Explorer From which country it has come ?

[Explorer]

It was found in Slovenia, borderline with Austria. In May 1945 the final battles of ww2 in Europe were happening here...

Guys. I held two ball hinge zinc type badges today and they were much heavier. Is it possible mine is aluminum? I'll put this one on a scale and let you know about it's weight.

[Thomas Durante]

Is it possible mine is aluminum? I'll put this one on a scale and let you know about it's weight.

Yes, very possible. It looks like a casting, very soft details on the obverse. Not just from the ground dug nature of it, but even in the areas that are not corroded you can see how soft the detailing is. It is likely a soft casting of an original badge.....not something that would have been produced during the war.

With that said, its possible it was field-made....that would explain the weird reverse setup and soft detailing. Or just a flat out fake that has been dressed up to look ground dug....

Tom

[Nick Carraway]

Does not look original to me except for the general shape...kinda like my sister's chest.

[Christopher G.]

Does not look original to me except for the general shape...kinda like my sister's chest.

LOL!!! I'd like to see that

I have to agree there that this thing shows a lot of bad signs...not liking this one or any of your other GD's that you have posted.

Regards,
Chris G.

[fdodge]

Does not look original to me except for the general shape...kinda like my sister's chest.

You're killing me Nick. POST SOME PHOTOS!
I think the badge is a fake myself.....

[Scott C.]

Was this badge found in the same place as the coroded, ground-dug, anti-partisan badge you posted?

[Blued]

I think it's fake. Appears to be bubbling and material that extends past where the normal design space would be

[Explorer]

Hello guys and thank you for the answers. Well I kind of killed my rep with that AP badge but I haven't had a chance (read time) to study any AP badges or any other army badges so far so my knowledge in this area is very limited. I am in this hobby for about 10 years and was collecting total different area - Yugoslavian and partisan orders, decorations, insignia etc. Now the Third Reich has sucked me in as well. That's why I post items from time to time on this forum in the first place. I'm trying to learn and study. Even much greater experts on TR area have made much costly mistakes - just remember buying a tuxedo badge for 8-19 grand. I am a newbie in this collecting field so I guess it's not the last one I made. Well, like I said in the other topic I bought that APB from my friend who told me his story. Maybe he was tricked himself or tried to pull a joke on me since he didn't let me to pay him the actual money yet. I don't know but will figure that out soon enough. I'm not trying to excuse anyone since I realize that misfortunate thread has affected this one and my other posts as well. I guess you have to see things with your own eyes nowadays to be sure for sure and that's the main difference from this situation. I can 100% guarantee you that this badge is original since I did dug it out myself! I was now browsing through my computer and trying to find a picture I took when I found it. I'm glad I did though I'm not sure if anyone can guarantee by looking at the photos that this is the same badge. Well I can guarantee you that as well! I took the pictures at the time since I don't do a lot of metal detecting and this is quite a rare find for me, even in this condition etc. I know that even this proves nothing so I hope you'll just take my word on this. Please just try to focus on the badge itself and help me figure out what's the deal here?

I asked you about the aluminum material because I was with that friend yesterday who sold me an APB and he had two zinc ball hinge types in his collection. A lot heavier than mine. I told him what I know about my badge and he said he doubts it's originality and wouldn't have it in his collection. He said he never saw one like this in any book and that it's definitely an aluminum one plus when I told him what I learned here and from other collectors, he said that the hinge is not replaced or repaired. He said I either have a complete bs reproduction or the whole badge is original and I might have a yet unidentified maker here.

Once again I'm claiming that this badge is absolutely original! As it is it has 14 grams!

If you'd like any other info., pictures etc. just let me know and I'll do my best. I'd appreciate the cynical comments to be left out (I do understand why they're appearing though) since this badge has no connection to the fake APB whatsoever. It's an original bodenfund badge and realize that by making those claims you are actually degrading much more than the badge itself.




Bigger picture:
http://shrani.si/f/31/11i/2yILVrmq/flak.jpg