Badge Opinion - JMME Para badge

[Lorenzo Brown]

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[Lorenzo Brown]

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[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Lorenzo,

If I was you I would only keep this badge if I would FIRMLY believe it is an acceptable variant and value it for just that and the differences it has. That´s the only reason why someone should keep a "variant". I can see you do not firmly believe in it, so it should go back if possible. You will never look at it smiling again.

Cheers, Frank H.

[John Hodgin]

Hi fellows,

Jos, thanks for pointing me to this thread. I don't check Forums often enough other than Fj, Uniforms, and sometimes HelmetslHeadgrear. The others are all great, just don't have the time.

The badge that Tball posted two views of is mine. Geez, I may post less photos.... Jos probably remembered this was my badge, and pointed me here, and also the sharp photos struck him as very unusual Thanks again Jos.

I posted the photos of my badge earlier this year with a similar thread title to Lorenzo's. I stated that this was not the usual Imme design and asked if anyone else had experience with this style. I asked why there are two Imme styles. I have a friend with an Imme badge directly from a veteran that is the other style. I have not been able to confirm this badge in this way.

Having said that, I'll add, Lorenzo don't make any rash decisions. Our badges are identical except for wear. Jos, my badge is die struck and hand finished. The eagle is brass (or an alloy high in brass content) and the wreath tomback. In my experience only early para badges have 'brass' eagles. So, if it is not a legit variation, it is a die struck, hand finished fake. In other words, made just like originals. I've had mine 15 years and it came in an authentic case..... which doesn't mean anything....just giving background. It also came from a dealer. I'd like to hear of one like this coming from a veteran, but if anyone can demonstrate that mine and Lorenzo's are repros I'd be happy to hear it as well because this has troubled me for a long time...

In addition, I would not declare 'skinny necks' on eagles as a bad sign. Somewhere in one of my books is a period photo showing a para plaque with an eagle almost identical to this one. There are also studio portrait photos of paras wearing badges that look to be this style (thin neck) but the detail is not good enough to confirm for sure.

Regards,
John

[Jos L C]

Oh no,John again,Beware !!

John,I really want a answer on this badge.
It is well made etc.
First I want to tell you that good fakes exist in tombak or other brass kind alloys,I think it makes smoother casts than other metals.
Good copies exist a long period,I've seen copies that came from Russia and were about 30 years old,very well made for that time and still fooling collectors nowadays.
The JFS GAB,another example,old copy...
From this Jmme para badge we can't say yet whether it is fake or good,we've to investigate.
I tried to find out if it's die-forged or die-cast and it's hard to see,the sides of the wreath and eagle are rather smooth though .
The handfinishing is sometimes to find in castings as well for they make a precise copy of the real and it looks like it is handfinished.
Sheermarks however are smoother on the cast badge.
The pictures Lorenzo shows are big but I'd like them bigger seeing smaller details from the side of the wreath and the side of the eagle made on several places and the swastika area.
It's a lot of work but maybe it'll shed some light on the matter and we can say more surely it's good or bad.
In this matter we've to dig deep IMO and everybody has to keep his eyes peeled !
Lorenzo,do you think it's possible to make some close ups ?

Jos.

[Tim B.]

John,

Hope you didn't mind me posting your images. I had them listed as belonging to Jos, but have corrected that now. Glad you got in it as I always liked this badge (yours) and thought Larry may have something good here as well. My apologies if any needed.

Jos,

See, I knew I had your named linked to this badge for a reason!


Tim

[Jos L C]

Yup,but no cigar Tim !
Waiting for Lorenzo....

Jos.

[John Hodgin]

Hello guys,

Well, I've been away from this thread again and just checked in. Seems we have made no further progress. When time permits I'll look for the period photo of the Fj plaque with this style eagle. I still feel this badge may be an authentic variation, but it is surely NOT the standard, accepted Imme design. I've never experienced large numbers of this design at shows like I do common reproductions....i.e. at some shows I will see a half dozen of the bad Army para badges.

Tim, no problem in posting my images, just trying to tease Jos, anything that helps the hobby is good.

best,
John

[Jos L C]

Jooooooooohhhnnnn !!!!
It's been a long time,how are you doing ??

Jos.