Help needed on this Osang Para Badge - copy???

[dkelley]

Hello Friends:

Attached are PICs of an Osang marked badge I am sitting on the fence with. Extra pairs of eyeballs and expertise is always gratifying.

We all recognize that G.H. Osang Para badges were made from zinc core, including the eagle which always confirms usually whether the badge is good or bad.

The wreath of this example is clearly oxidized zinc. After careful examination of the eagle, there are spots all over the eagle which shows a white metal, such as zinc, under the golden coloured finish. I would like to especially note the left wing from where it articulates with the neck and body of the eagle show distinguishing finish wear equal with the high spots to the grain chaff high lights on the wreath.

Further many of the feathers on the neck are also worn "white." but does not show well with these PICs. The swastika is very light but a little amount of colour remains. Continuing on the left wing, toward the back of the wing shows a layer of very thin, baby hair sized scratches I find very interesting. The finish to the right wing remains the most intact finish to the eagle with exception to the reverse.

Also note the Osang maker stamp mark is not flush as most examples are. For that reason it is difficult to examine the "o".

Both rivets appear round rather than flat as shown in the one Osang badge on this forum that has been given thumbs up. The hinge and catch so not appear consistent with some known examples.

In lieu of what has been pointed out in favour of the badge, worn spots and all, could it be possible based upon the evidence heretofore exhibited, might this be a variant or transitional badge when the Osang maker stamp, rivets, and hinge and catch are not exact to other known examples. Also sitting on the fence is my pocketbook! Do I invest in Thomas Durante's book on Para badges at $159, not knowing for absolute sure this investment would provide me the answer.

Your thought and opinions are always respected by me if is said with due diligence, the facts, with an objective point of view.

As I have said many times before, none of can know everything about everything.

Thanks,
Dan

[dkelley]

last PIC #3 Osang

This PIC shows better detail of the items I am unsure about.

[Aurora68]

Hello Dan,

well, form your pics this badge is not an original IMO.....

for me the easiest way to say this is the reverse....maker mark, the hinge, rivets and catch do not match...match to the "known" variants.
You already pointed out some more "suspect" areas/fetures on obverse, wreath etc....and came most likely to the same conclusion.

Tom´s Para book is IMO a great investment....it gives you from all the known makers the different types, detailed explanation and great images and also the critical features where to look at, like detailed images of the maker mark, close up´s of rivets, saw marks, pins etc.

These types are at least the "accepted" types among collectors.
If a new type/version should pop up this would be a case for further investigation ( and maybe then for an update of the book :-))

Up to now a transititional type of Osang was not found so far....but as you mention, who ever knows. At least you might have big surprise when you want to sell this "variant" one day and no one does want it as it looks not ok ( compared to the known and accepted originals).

If one believes that the shown types in the book are "final" is of course up to every one....
I also had Tom´s book next to me when I saw your images and also compared with the images in the book and with my own Osang in hand.....so for me the badges looks not ok

Maybe you find a used copy of the book on ebay to get it a bit cheaper??? IMO it is worth every cent.

Best regards

Martin

[Hans Kondor]

I agree with Martin, set-up, rivets, maker mark, everything is wrong about this badge.

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Dan,

Not much more to add, Martin and Hans nailed it perfectly. There is no chance for this one, not only does it not conform in any way to Osang production, this same exact fake has been found with other spurious maker marks on it. The eagle on this fake is very distinct, so if you study it you will never be fooled by it again. Here is an identical eagle, but this time marked for B&NL

As far as my book goes, ofcourse there is no guarantee that a rare variant or two may have slipped by or was not shown. However, with confidence I can say that I show 99% of every badge variant that was ever produced and if you don't see an exact variant in the book, then I would look VERY closely at it because it is most likely a fake. Sure, looking at the forum, you can try to research all the variants yourself and you will probably do just fine. But for me, its easier to learn this hobby with a good reference book that you can hold in your hand, see all the variants in one location and have good pictures and descriptions of each variant and how they relate to eachother. Its the best way I have found to get a good look at the production techniques that each maker used and once you understand that, badges like this fake Osang Paratrooper badge are easy to spot as a fake.

I have found that I buy more reference books then I buy badges these days. Its a good time in the hobby, with excellent reference books and I really enjoy Dietrich Maerz's line of books, the new EK 1 book by Frank Thater, Garlasco's Flak book, The Kriegsmarine books, etc. Reading all these books and seeing which type of badge each maker produced has really been a good learning experience for me.

The book price of $159 may seem expensive, and sure you can buy a nice IAB or GAB for that. But when you think that Para badges start at $750 and only go up from there, its a no brainer investment. I don't own a single EK1, but yet I have both Dietrich and Thater's books on the EK1. Seeing all the reverse hardware variations on EK1s has been a tremendous help with my understanding of the Heer and Luftwaffe badges. So for me, it is totally worth the price of these reference books and the research aspect is really the most enjoyable part of this hobby.

Tom

[dkelley]

Thank you!!!

Greetings Martin, Hans and Tom:

Your insight and expertise has proven again that we help each other, and we learn from each other. Now that I am getting up in years, the more I learn, the more I learn how much I have yet to learn. Please accept my gratitude and personal thanks for bringing your remarks to the table.

Oh, BTW, it was never my intention to imply Tom's Para book was not a worthy investment. I have a huge reference library from some the greatest known authors on my shelves. It is my privilege to add Tom's books. . .all of them to my book reference collection.

And so kudos to Tom. Many thanks as well to Martin and Hans.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
Dan