Air to ground support clasp for review

[Barrymac]

Hi all,
All opinions welcome on the following Osang air to ground support clasp. Zinc with most of the silver worn away.
Many thanks in advance
Barry

[Barrymac]

More

[Barrymac]

Extra

[Barrymac]

Last pictures

[Barrymac]

All opinions welcome please
Barry

[Spitfire]

Hi Barry

IMO your badge is good, but wait for others to confirm.

Al

[Barrymac]

Thanks Spitfire and Merry Christmas

[Patrick W]

is the hinge block cast as part of the badge? that would make this clasp a copy

[Barrymac]

Hi Patrick,

Many thanks for that information. I am waiting for the badge to arrive and will check it out when it does. Is that the case for all clasps or just for this particular one?

Barry

[Patrick W]

Hi Barry

there are no flight clasps that have cast in hinges but there are ones that have crimped in hinges

Cast hinges do exist on some late war badges as I'm sure you know. This example you have posted is a bit of a puzzle for me actually as all the rest of the clasp looks good- why would a faker bother making a correct separate swords attachment and riveting it on and then casting the hinge??

I am totally open to new things being found so perhaps this could be one of the last examples produced by Osang and they made some with cast hinge to save brass in the last part of the war?- I have never seen such a thing nor do I think anyone else hence the lack of comments on your thread.

Could be an exciting discovery or decent copy- let us know more when you get it in hand.

[Barrymac]

Hi Patrick,

Many thanks for your reply. Once I get the item in hand I will be able to judge better. These clasps were only introduced late in the war as we already know and at that stage the overall standards of metals used was in decline. I am looking forward to getting it and being able to study it better.
Is mise
Barry

[Thomas Durante]

Hi guys,

This is a fake clasp IMO. The hinge is not cast, but rather a separate piece. It is too intracate to have been cast in as part of the badge. We know what cast hinges look like by Osang, just look at their Para badges.

I suspect the hinge was made from zink, like the rest of the clasp and that is why it looks dark grey. Certainly not correct for a wartime Osang badge. The rivetting, catch and marker mark are also not correct for wartime Osang clasps IMO. This clasp is softer and lower quality compared with original Osang clasps, in particular their wartime Schlacht clasps are much nicer than this one.

If you pick it up, just make sure you get a good return policy on it. Post better pics here when you get it in hand and I think you will see many differences compared with original Osang clasps. If the dealer is good, he will take it back if you decide to return it afterwards.

Tom

[Barrymac]

Hi Tom,

Thank you for the detailed reply. In fairness, the person I purchased the item from is a very honest and reasonable man. I have several days with the item in hand to access it. I had really hoped it was real as I have been looking for one for some time.
Many thanks to all for their experienced advice and opinions. They are always welcome.

Is mise
Barry