Long range day Fighter clasp with TOMBAK pendant

[Patrick W]

Now this was a bit of a surprise when I looked at this clasp closely- the star pendant is fire gilded tombak which is something I have never seen although I had heard mention that a small number were made in brass rather than zinc.

Looks very believable to me albeit with a few flaws. The hand filing and messy edges would be something I would associate with Juncker primarily. I have also not seen any post war copy item that has been fire gilded that I can recall- a very dangerous process and not done in modern times.

Anyone else own a tombak example to compare?

[Patrick W]

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[Patrick W]

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[Gene]

Thumbs down on the pendant, Pat

[Sebastien T]

Agreed, a cast pendant i dont like it.

Seb

[Patrick W]

Thanks Guys, I kind of guessed you wouldn't be a fan- I still like it and believe it to be period from traits and finish it has.

The sternhanger was introduced in June 1942 so it is perfectly possible in my opinion that some examples exist in tombak. The numbered pendants however would always be in zinc due to their late war introduction.

[Brian S]

Pretty much agree w you all the time but not on this. Looks really bad.

[fdodge]

The pendant is cast. Definitely not die struck.
And it's dangling from a zinc clasp.....

[Patrick W]

You are correct the pendant is die cast which another aspect that brings me towards Juncker- a good comparison would be their tombak auxiliary cruiser badge which often exhibits loss of detail and pits and flaws to the reverse similar to on this item.

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Patrick,

Nice clasp, but I agree with the others that the pendant is not original. The casting flaws are just too much, even for Juncker. And the finish on it is not true fire gilding, its a good bit thicker and looks more like heavy paint or lacquer.

The only good aspect I see on it is the hand file marks, which indeed is a Juncker trait but the quality is just too poor for Juncker IMO.

June 1942 is actually pretty late for tombak IMO, I think the transition to zink was well under way in 1941.

Tom

[Patrick W]

Thanks Tom , it is what it is I guess- I can't prove it but for me a very interesting item and not something I have previously seen.

Best regards

Patrick