LW Ground Assault Badge - Original?

[Stormfighter]

I bought this Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge this weekend at a flea market. I'm not an expert on badges and want to know if this badge is original.

Barry

[Stormfighter]

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[Dave Wyatt]

Looks like a fine Arno Wallpach to me.

[Ludwig]

Yes, original and very nice, too!

[Antonio Scapini]

Sorry guys, but IMO this AWS GAB is not an original one. It has a lot of red flags, including lack of details, cut outs and rim with really soft edges.
To be honest I would pass on this piece.

[17thairborne]

Although I am relatively new to this facet of collecting, it is my understanding that there "should' be a lip on the reverse upper side where the metal is slightly pressed out during the stamping process for the AWS badges. I cannot tell from the photos, but it looks like the upper edge does not exhibit the characteristic "lip". A closer photo taken from the top, reverse might show that. I understand if the edge is smooth/rounded over it should be suspect.

Again, I am just getting to know these traits.

From the images in my collection, you can clearly see this "lip"

thanks for the consideration to comment

[Antonio Scapini]

...it is my understanding that there "should' be a lip on the reverse upper side where the metal is slightly pressed out during the stamping process for the AWS badges. I cannot tell from the photos, but it looks like the upper edge does not exhibit the characteristic "lip".

You are correct. in 90% of the original AWS badges there's a lip around the hole. But it is not due to the stamping process, but to the drilling process.

...I understand if the edge is smooth/rounded over it should be suspect.

Yes, it is a very important red flag. Smooth edges are a sign of fake.

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Barry,

I tend to agree with Antonio, poor detailing and soft edges are red flags for me, even on an Arno Wallpach badge. Original were cast but their details are typically alot better than on your example. I also don't like the reverse hardware on your example, another red flag for me.

Tom

[90th Light]

A simple but important thing to establish first with this badge,

is the pin magnetic or non-magnetic ?

Also post clear images of the crimping mark on the pin and close ups of the reverse of the holes in the clouds.

Half the problem with this badge is that the images posted are not clear enough and I can see where Antonio and Tom are coming from. However, there could in fact be some excess from die-casting around the edges that's not showing up in the images.

I would not write this one off yet but what the pin is made of and how it is crimped is the starting point,

Chris

p.s. here are some of mine to compare with; http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...light=Wallpach