Unmarked Luft Para

[skip]

Gents,

An unmarked Luft Para up for any opinions or comments.

What do you all think?

Thanks. Skip

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Skip,

This is not an easy one! First impressions are that it is an OK badge by the "unknown maker". The reverse wreath profile and hinge match the unknown maker. The catch is pretty close too, although not quite the typical full "?" style - this one looks like a "?" lying partially on it's side (but it appears to have been soldered on that way). However the pin looks a little fat compared to other examples and the very neat rivets are atypical for the unknown maker. The obverse of the wreath is where I start to have some questions though. It may be due to the images or due to wear, but the detailing does not look all that good in places (eg the central oakleaf immediately to the right of the wreath tie and the acorns). The overall finish looks a bit strange in that the wreath doesn't look frosted and the eagle doesn't look fire-gilded, but again image quality and/or wear are issues. I'm not confident commenting on the eagle as I haven't studied unknown maker LW Para badges in detail. I'll be interested in hearing the thoughts of others on this one.

Regards
Mike K

[skip]

Hi Mike,

thanks for answering and being the first to jump into cold water. Looks like you are not the only one to not think this is easy.
I´ve had this a good few years and pulled it out the other day as I was looking for stuff to sell to finance another deal. The person I sent it to liked it at first but after studying it he came to the same conclusion as you have.
My opinion was always that this was from the "unknown" maker and the slightly sloppy wreath is a well known trait on this type.
The rivets never bothered me that much as it is obviously an early piece and they probably worked better then than later.

So, still an undecided. Anybody else?

Skip

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Skip,

I agree with Mike, not an easy one. I have seen more examples of the unknown maker with a pin that fat and rivets that small and these were all Buntmetall. One i have on file looks quite believable, but little doubts remain. The zinc badges using exactly that hinge have bigger rivets.

Can you confirm this is a Buntmetall badge?

[skip]

Thanks for coming in on this one Frank.
Yep, its buntmetal alright.
So my feelings were not wrong in your opinion?
you think its an acceptable, buntmetaller from the unknown maker?
For a moment I was starting to doubt my own credability, but the "feel" is there. Know what I mean?

Skip

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Skip,

I cannot help much further, because I only ever handled the zinc examples from that maker. Here are the pics of another Buntmetall example much like yours. I am not 100% sure it is original, but I put it in my "good" files for further observation. It looks believable to me judging by pics alone.

Secter´s pics:

[Frank Heukemes]

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[Frank Heukemes]

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[Frank Heukemes]

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[Frank Heukemes]

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[skip]

Yep, thats the same one Frank.

Thanks. Skip