Type I OM Cased Pilot

[Brian S]

Going to be some skepticism on this one... I've been blowing up Seba's email on this one. Thank you to him for being so patient.

Here is how this all started. This is the case I have an OM as it came to me. It also happens to be the same first pattern case for my CEJ with one very major difference.

[Brian S]

The insert is cut in such a way that the only pilot badge that will be allowed to fit the insert is the OM pilot because of its narrow hinge. Three OMs fit nicely into the insert but that's only part of the fact here.

Notice please the round holes in top/bottom. Not the usual top wider slit to accommodate a pilot hinge.

Also please notice the white residue that matches another case Seba was showing me yesterday.

[Brian S]

I said all three OM pilots would fit in the insert. However, the case will only close with the one OM. With the OM that came with this case it closes easily and is a perfect fit. The other two are a mismatch to the case and in fact are in OM cases one would expect. Which by the way have the insert cutout for a wider pilot hinge.

So why is this OM in a case more accommodative to a very very early J1 like the CEJ?

The badge in this case is on the right.

[Brian S]

Taking out my crude micrometer, the badge in question measured consistently narrower in the wreath by about 1 to 2 mm. I can't compare the eagle to bottom of wreath accurately. All obverse features besides thickness match...

But, now look at the clasp on the badge to the far right. Clearly not the standard catch on an OM.

Absolutely no signs of clasp replacement!

[Brian S]

Hinge blocks appear consistent to all three.

[Brian S]

Rivet left/right

[Brian S]

Is OM an earlier badge that once thought?

[Brian S]

A search turned up clasp match possibilities, none that I searched showed side shots of the clasp;

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...3&postcount=13

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...1&postcount=16

[Brian S]

Open to comments. I have no issue to argue no value to protect.

[Jos L C]

Is it the shape of the wings, one more round than the other ?

Act like one who goes on vacation and has way more goodies than will fit in the suitcase, sit on it and try to close it ..

Jos.

[Brian S]

Nein nein kein Sitzplatz. All three Adler the same.

[Jos L C]

Shape of the catch, one touching the bottom of the case, other does not ?

Solution : just reshape the catch with a small hammer, put a folded tissue on it to prevent damage, for small scratches afterwards, lille toofpase ..

Jos.

[Brian S]

None of the catches would touch bottom in early case. They just sit higher on the early case insert.

[Sebastien T]

Hey Brian, was fun debating this super nice early case... And I scrachted my head on this one.

You know my tought on this one, its an original early case made for J1 Juncker and I would say also Early Assmann. These cases are mostly encounter or produced before 1939 with early badge and OMs badge as the consensus goes start in 1940. (this is what I have in my reference.) You can see in the top 2 differents badges get in it as Joe mentionned so let me think deeper about what we disscussed in the last 2 weeks or so....

Maybe the your OM is a replacement badges and the owner get a period custom fit in his old early case, Maybe OMs factory buy stock from other factory before getting their own brain pattern case and get an OM inside fitting for their badge...who knows for sure but its IMO not an OM case. The inside is 100% period IMO

Ready to be shot down in fire now Ho and toothpaste should fix the hinge hole for ya if you want a J1 in it.

Seb

[Brian S]

That is a very reasonable progression Seba. Fits my thought of early OM version in a non later (months?) brain pattern case. I know Timmler told me OM is a heavy nickel over Brass but I see absolutely no signs of anything other than nickel. Will get Timmler to be hands on this by Tuesday. Thanks Seba it was getting agreement that all pieces are wartime was step one.