LW Flak Badge

[Albert]

Dear All,

Who is the maker of this badge?

Thanks,
Al

[Philippe DB]

Dear Albert,


Interesting Flak badge. Well taken it to account that it is made out of buntmetall I thought this would be easy since there aren't that many makers. Stupid thing is I can't match it to any of the buntmetal makers.

The only thing that comes close IMO is B&NL but I have never seen a Buntmetall luftflak by this maker only zinkers and these are very scares.

KR
Philippe

[John T]

Philippe:


Did you compare it to an Assmann? Notice how there is no cutout at the base of the gun---I think only Assmann's are like this.

John

[Philippe DB]

Philippe:


Did you compare it to an Assmann? Notice how there is no cutout at the base of the gun---I think only Assmann's are like this.

John

Hi John,

Your absolutely correct, that was my first thought too but the countours of an Assmann just don't match Alberts example.

I'm sure Frank won't mind me using a pic of his zinc B&NL. Compare the reverse wreath an gun outlinning to the badge above. I didn't find any other luftflak that comes this close.

KR
Philippe

[John T]

Hi Philippe:


That is a good observation...the reverse contours look very close, and are exact in some parts of the wreath...perhaps the same maker where the early piece exhibits some hand finishing on the wreath?

John

[Albert]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your comments. I am surprised this is a tough one. So what do you think we have here a BNL?

Best regards,
Albert

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Albert,

In my opinion it is a Juncker without the hole. Compare e.g. the Juncker typical "flashes" on the swastika arms when viewed from the front.

[Frank Heukemes]

obv

[Albert]

Thank you Frank,

Here is a better pic of the obverse. Juncker?

Best regards,
Albert

[Albert]

And a detailed shot of the bird:

[Philippe DB]

Dear Albert,

Frank is correct IMO, very likely Juncker. I keep looking at the swas on your badge, although it features the twisted Juncker cutouts it somehow looks fatter than other Juncker swasses and it also gives the impression not to belong to this badge although it clearly wasn't resoldered. Strange.

KR
Philippe

[Albert]

Dear Friends,

Yes indeed, this impression results from the "step" between the talons and the swaz. It seems like the surface of the swazz was polished off. This must have happened before the silver plating though. Anyway, if it's a Juncker were does it fit in chronology wise?

BTW, it's history is quite interesting in light of the funny "barn find" thread we had on the uniform forum. This is a barn find Sometime after the war somebody nailed it to the wall. And there it stayed. Later the barn was turned into a garage and the badge lived there, nailed to the wall, till it was "found" just recently. The owner had to use plyers to get the nail out of the wall Luckly the removal job left nothing but a couple of very minor scratches on the swaz. So much about that! Items can stay a long time in a barn without getting eaten by moth, mice, and rats

Best regards,
Albert