S&L Par badge for discussion

[Aurora68]

Hello all,

today I would like to show this Para badge for discussion:
Most likely a Steinhauer & Lück, a “C” Type according to Tom´s great Para book, pages 408 to 411.
This badge shows no mark “L56” as mentioned in the book as a typically feature for this type.
Is this an original one? Has the eagle been of the wreath and reattached?

Also wanted to know the following:

Tom wrote on page 409, that the use of these rivets is “ NOT something encountered on wartime originals”
So is this badge a post war made (original) S&L???

Thanks for your help and opinion, most appreciated

Best regards
Martin

[Aurora68]

reverse

[Aurora68]

side view

[Aurora68]

what is this white materil right next / underneath the rivet marked with red arrow?

Kind of glue or a filler to reattache the rivet ( as the eagle maybe has been removed or the rivet been messed with)?

[Atomic]

Hi Martin,

for me a good and original S&L para badge with a Cupal eagle.The rivetting is for me a typical post war rivetting,also the "semi hollow" eagle is speaking for me post war.

The rivet signed from you with the red arrow,was maybe produced a little bit sloppy and the guys used also a solder?

For sure a interesting badge,but imo post war produced.

Regards
Joe

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Martin,

Sorry for not getting back to you yesterday on your email

You are exactly right, this is an S&L Para badge, with C-Type Eagle. The C-Type eagle is most certainly a postwar creation, likely dating to the 1970s as I mention in the book. The reason I believe this is the B-Type Eagles (with the heavy wing flawing) is the one we see on the 1957er badges. After this flaw became too big, S&L created a new die, the C-Type, in my opinion.

The semi-hollow eagle is typical of the C-Type eagle, and not something we ever see being used during the war. Also, the hollow rivets are typical of 60s and 70s S&L production, it is common to see on their later 1957er badges and can also be seen on their LW CCCs, which are most certainly postwar creations.

Also notice the "1957 scrape" tool mark on the pin, another confirmation for me that this is a postwar creation.

The spurious maker marks we see on some of these also confirms postwar production. It is thought that S&L didn't mark them this way, but rather spurious dealers adding these marks to increase the value (commonly thought to have occured in the 1970s as well, so the timeline matches). Like I show in the book, L/56 has been found, but also L/12 marked.

Tom

[Aurora68]

thanks a lot to both of you for your fast reply and comment.

Tom, your explanation is one more time just great! Thanks for your time!

Kindest regards

Martin