JFS PARA BADGE, oh my

[mmiller]

Here is a badge that may have some interest. It is mentioned in an old thread, here on the Forum.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...light=jfs+para

I recently acquired the badge shown below. Both the wreath and the eagle are made from late war zinc. The blackening on the wreath is 'crackling'. The gilt on the eagle is 'flecked'. The badge appears to be cast based on the cracking and stress lines on the sides of the wreath. The measurements and weight are nearly exact to the specs in the IMM article. Actually, the specs of my badge are just slightly larger than the badge in the article.

The hinge (and it's set-in ears), the pin (magnetic), and the catch (crimped in flat wire hook) all match numbered JFS PABs & GABs style and size. Much like the MuK5 and R.K. Luft Ground Assault badge, too.

The wreath and the eagle do not match any other Luft Para I have seen. I don't believe it to be a recent cast copy from some other manufacturer, with the JFS H/M added to increase its value.

The badge also shows many similar characteristics to a badge that Lorenzo posted in the old article. Look at the five little knobby ribs on the legs of the eagle. A very unique style.

Go At It and Play Nice!
Mark

IMM Article


Badge In Hand

[Lorenzo Brown]

Hi Mark. Fascinating badge.

Things I like about it:

The hinge and pin look correct for JFS. Notice how the hinge and catch
material are that kind of "cellulite" looking silver finish....
the same as on good RK and JFS #'d badges.

Also like the details on the talons. Very crisp "lines" on the leg
with well-formed "scales" on the claws. Also very crisp detailing on the wreath acorns.

As you mentioned, the zinc material looks EXTREMELY rough...much rougher that we normally encounter. However, I would certainly not rule out
authenticity based upon the quality of the zinc...more concerned that it is
PERIOD zinc.

Looking forward to more opinions.

[Philippe DB]

Hi Mark,

Very rare and original badge IMO.

A lot of high end fake numbered 75 & 100 JFS GAB's & PAB's could only dream of such a pin.

Without going in to detail but clearly recognizable for anybody who ever studied original JFS rivets, take a close look at the detailed pics of the rivets Mark posted. They all have a thiny little "JFS rivet" give away.

KR
Philippe

[skip]

I like it. I´d buy one in the blink of an eye if I could find one.

It all fits to JFS No. badges does´nt it.

Skip

[mmiller]

I know that this badge is a seldom seen 'variation' from the norm. I had a shot at owning the little bugger. While I was sceptical of the Para JFS manufacturer, and while little is known about the details, I kept an open mind. When I first looked at it, I thought 'Nah. Can't be.' I put it away and had dinner. Each successive time I looked at it, I started seeing things that I liked. Even after the loupe and magnified scans, I still see no obvious red flags. I did weigh and measure the badge. I compared it with other JFS, RK, and MuK badges. Very similar rear side hardware. At first I thought it might be a modern casting using another Luft eagle and wreath. I compared it to eight paratroopers and it just doesn't match up. Would a faker go to all the trouble of making an entirely new styled badge? Possible but unlikely....all the other para fakes are still selling like hotcakes.

Well, it's mine, with iron-clad priveledges. There was no story. Of course the dealer is a great one. But I bought the badge.

I will scan the eagle in detail this weekend for Lorenzo (he's always a pain ). Or should I not want to show too many details here ? His point about period zinc, however, is very valid. How can I tell?

Appreciate the feedback,
Mark

[Jos L C]

Well ,there's not much to compare with..,but to me it looks very professional and what it should look like and I like what I see...
Never saw one ,except on the picture from the book..,a exceptional item.

Super rare ,something different and very nice to see..
And yes ,it shows all "zink" features like Lorenzo mentioned IMO too..

Jos.

[mmiller]

Lorenzo..Philippe..Skip..Jos..Frank..Mike..Francoi s..Yuri..Jacques..

Here are a couple of additional scans for your files.

Thanks again,
Mark

JFS Para Wingtips


JFS Para Lower Obverse

[Chris]

Mark, I have it's twin brother, from George Petersen's collection when he sold his para badges about two years ago.

[mmiller]

Hi Chris,

I was looking at [your] Badge over at George's house, when he was parting out all his Paras. I didn't get that one, but walked away with a B&NL and a JMME. By any chance, did you also get the L/64?

Regards,
Mark

[Chris]

No, I saw th3 L/64 a few years before, but it wasn't in the shoebox that day. I don't know where it went. I got the JFS, the Lazy L Juncker in the box marked "Fallschirmspringer" (I wanted the box more than the badge), his GWL, the late war Assmann in the Assmann-labelled box (the one in Angolia; again, I wanted the box more than the badge) and the two officer bullion badges.

[mmiller]

Chris,

Nice haul. Not bad for a day's work!

Mark

[Chris]

He was also selling his gravity knives that day, and I picked up a mint unissued one in the makers cardboard box, plus one of the rare tropical lanyards, so I definitely did quite a bit of damage to the bank account in a very short period of time.

[John T]

He was also selling his gravity knives that day, and I picked up a mint unissued one in the makers cardboard box, plus one of the rare tropical lanyards, so I definitely did quite a bit of damage to the bank account in a very short period of time.

Well worth the damage to the bank account Chris..money is easy to replace...but to get a JFS para is like winning the Lotto...John

[Yuri D.]

Thank you Mark for sharing this extra special acquisition with us.

Yuri

[Frank Heukemes]

Hi Chris,

It would be great if you could show us your JFS para as well. These are rare badges and no opportunity to study them should be passed.