Opinions please on two Luft badges

[Tom Yanacek]

Hi guys,

I would appreciate hearing some opinions on this Deumer Air Gunner/Flight Engineer Badge and Osang Paratrooper Badge. I know the pictures are terrible, but this is all I have to work with so far. I should have these in my paws next week and if I get them I will post some better pictures. I feel confident that the Deumer is good and I think the Osang is probably okay too. What do you think?

Thank you for any and all opinions,
Tom

Here is the Deumer Air Gunner:

[Tom Yanacek]

Here is the Osang Paratrooper:

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Tom,

Those are tricky. I tend to agree with you that both are probably OK.

They both look odd though, like they were stored poorly. I don't think I have ever seen an Osang eagle look like that. Not only is the finish gone, but the zinc look much darker than I would expect. However, the wreath looks to have alot of its finish remaining, which is weird IMO.

The Deumer also looks a little odd color, but the hardware, rivets and details look correct based on these pics.

Looking forward to some better shots when you get them in hand.

Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

Thank you!

Hi Tom,

Thank you for sharing your opinion.

Both of these badges have a very similar look to them. Perhaps some sort of caustic chemical cleaning agent was used on them and any remaining gold wash on the Paratroop Badge eagle was stripped away. That eagle is pretty dark gray as you say. Maybe it is more of a later Kriegsmetall alloy rather than Feinzink. I have seen some late war Silver Wound Badges in Kriegsmetall that were so dark gray in color that at first glance you would think they were Black Wound Badges.

I am looking forward to examining these in-hand and I will try to post some better pictures. I know it is a difficult call with these crappy pictures. Despite the oddities that you mention (and I do concur with them) I am still getting enough good vibes about each of the badges. Frankly, I will be real surprised if these turn out to be fakes.

Thanks again & best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

Hi guys,

Here are some better pictures of the two badges. As soon as I had them in-hand I liked them.

Best regards,
Tom

Deumer Air Gunner/Flight Engineer Badge:

[Tom Yanacek]

Osang Paratrooper Badge: