Interesting Recon Clasp

[Stoppelhopser]

I want to put this silver grade Recon clasp for discussion.

Basically, it is a fighter clasp corpus, being modified with a eagle's head to make it a reconaissance clasp. Pretty well done in my opinion, even with polished edges. The clasp itself is made of tombac and comes out of a former large grouping (split up over the last two decades).

Are there any similar pieces out there?

Feel free to comment.

Best regards,
Stefan

[Stoppelhopser]

I iwll post some more pictures from different angles

[Stoppelhopser]

some more

[Stoppelhopser]

last close up, plus a shot of its bronce grade comrade.

[Ludwig]

That´s... interesting. Looks very well made.

[fdodge]

I recall seeing similar work to a clasp here on the forum, and that particular piece was deemed a factory original.

Frank

[Gary B]

I have a transport clasp that was converted from a bomber clasp. I can't recall if I have pictured it before on the WAF.

GAry B

[rfleming32]

The bronze clasp is a beautiful. I think the silver is original and period but doubt it came from the maker that way. I can see it being put together in the field by friends to commemorate the achievement but that it pure speculation. A very interesting piece. I would think the eagles head is off center to accommodate the existing rivet. Thanks for showing.

[Blued]

Wow, that is a first for me. But well done I must say. With my lack of knowledge, I still would like it.

[Christopher G.]

I agree that is really cool and certainly believable.

Regards,
Chris G.

[Jelle M.]

First time a see a clasp like that. Interesting and very well done.

[Thomas Durante]

Very interesting to me as well. I remember Gary B has a Transporter clasp that was done with similar cut outs using a different base.

The only thing that makes me doubt it was factory-produced is the rivet, looks very sloppy. I have seen similar rivets, but they are always on later-war, zinc badges like F&BL or AGMuKs. But high quality, nickel silver badges like this always have nicely done rivets, which makes me think this one was either a field modification or something done in modern times using found-parts from other badges. You can see where there is a circular outline where the original rivet was, and this new rivet doesn't match that IMO so I feel it was done after it left the factory.

Tom

[Stoppelhopser]

Thank you for your comments and thoughts so far.

The big question is: Has this handcraft been field-made or factory-made?

According to rfleming's and Tom's postings it rather is a comrade's work for a (special/important?) bestowal.

A possible scenario: There was no silver grade available shortly before the bewstowal and the eagle's head was taken off from a bronce or gold grade recon clasp to modify the fighter clasp's corpus. Makes even more sense, if there where high ranking visitors attending the bestowal.


Quite unusual, anyway. Are there any reasonable doubts about this work being done during war?


Best regards,
Stefan

[AndyC]

Never seen this before, interesting


Andy

[AFF96]

That is truly a "fun" piece to have in a clasp collection, whether factory manufactored or field (what I think) modified. Very cool nonetheless!
Thanks for showing!