Badge Opinion - JMME Para badge

[Lorenzo Brown]

I need your opinions on this badge. I bought it from a reputable dealer a while back who described it as an "early" piece. I relied heavily on this dealer's expertise since he had authored a book on Third Reich badges. However, since purchasing the badge, I have seen other JMME Para Badges that are noticeaby different from this one. Also, I have asked several other dealers and collectors their opinions and none of them have stated that they felt the badge was authentic.

I have owned the badge for a while and I am still trying to get a positive opinion on the badge. I have given the dealer the benefit of the doubt since he is a "very nice guy." Nevertheless I am at the end of my rope trying to justify this badge , so I am opening this up to the general forum members to get your opinion.

P.S.- Please do not mention whom you think the dealer might be...let's just discuss the BADGE ONLY!

[Yuri D.]

Larry,

Please take a look at this original one fro Roger Bender's collection. The eagle is a lot more detailed and the rivets are different. The patina also looks different to me.

<img src=http://www.bender-publishing.com/display/parajmme1.jpg>
<br>
<img src=http://www.bender-publishing.com/display/parajmme2.jpg>

[Yuri D.]

Larry, what are the weight an measurements of this badge?

Yuri

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Lorenzo,

check out this maker´s mark comparison. Yours is on top, a known original below.

Now, do not get confused because of the wavy outline of that logo below, that is caused because the shot is angled. Just concentrate on the "&" for now. On originals, the little upper end on the right side that emerges from the "8" should come out of the middle of the "8", Lorenzo´s comes out of the lower half of the "8". Hard to tell from Yuri´s pic of an original, but if you look hard, you can see the right "&" there.

Differences are also noticable on other letters, but the "&" is most prominent.

Of course, all this proves is that Lorenzo´s maker´s mark is a different one from other IMME badges which are known originals and not neccessarily that Lorenzo´s badge is a fake. But in connection with the eagle detail it is enough to make one worried.

Cheers, Frank H.

[Lorenzo Brown]

The badge weighs 28 grams,
Wreath ht. is 52.6 mm
wreath width is42 mm

The badge design, rivets and mark are definitely different from the Bender example, which is my reason for questioning it.

[Yuri D.]

Your badge is 10 grams lighter than mine.

Yuri

[Tony Barto]

Lorenzo;

In all honesty the overall appearance stops me cold. I'm not saying it's a bad piece you have there but for what it's worth, the age build up just doesn't look natural to me. It does however, look like a very well made piece. When you compare the wing where it's attached on the wreath in relation to the one Yuri posted, they appear to be differing in their placement on the wreath. Just my opinion.

[Yuri D.]

I've documented another JMME & Sohne that is 10 grams heavier than yours. That's a HUGE wieght variance.

Yuri

[Jos L C]

Lorenzo can you make and post a close-up of your badge about the size Yuri posted ?

Jos.

[Lorenzo Brown]

I'll post more measurements and larger pictures this evening.

[ERIC S.]

Mine

Here's my early JMME Para Badge

[Lorenzo Brown]

The wingspan of the badge is 45.1 mm.
The width of the wreath (between 9:00 o'clock and 12:00 o'clock) is 3.7mm.
Here are larger scans of the badge as they were presented on the dealers website.
Front

[Lorenzo Brown]

Back

[Warren O]

There appears to be a difference in the head of the eagle on Lorenzo's badge and a lack of detail to the Eagles leg, no scales.

[Jos L C]

Ok Lorenzo,
If this is a early Jmme badge it should be close to the juncker.
I've noticed in my early Juncker badge some haircracks in the obverse of the wreath,these are also seen in the wreath of the badge Yuri posted.
I want to ask Zerstorer to examen his badge closely if he can find any cracks in it,maybe it's typical something that occurs with die-forging...?!
First let's wait the result.
On first sight I must say I don't like the badge either...,but too early to say that for sure.

So,Zerstorer,do you want to examen your badge for us ?

Jos.