Reproduction Police Eagles

[W.Unland]

The more current production seem to be less tightly embroidered than the early production runs. This guy seems to have quality control problems with time. Notice the centering of the eagle. As ALL fire eagles were named this is a dead giveaway. Naming fit into the small space above the eagle would also be a huge red flag on these.

[W.Unland]

I have never managed to find a photo of the reverse of one of these but I can speculate that it too would have a filled in body.

I am convinced that the above three eagles have been produced by the same guy using the same machine. He seems to be German, but I have yet to identify him. His eagles always appear on German dealer's sites first.

Here is an interesting family photo of all three repros so far discussed that were offered to me as a group a few years ago. All centered on the oval.............interesting coincidence I'm sure.

[W.Unland]

A new pattern of reproduction which has only appeared within the last few months is shown here. It is similar to an authentic pattern, but the "muddy" appearance of the embroidery, the too thin wreaths and angular unsymetrical appearance are red flags to be aware of.

Both of these are "high end" eagles, so the forgery has decided to try to get as much as possible from a limited production run. A flood of the same eagles is a dead warning, but a few high enders released here and there might slip through.

The "same thread" reverse is highly unusual and not seen on period eagles. The top example has had dirt rubbed into the embroidery in an attempt to "age" it, but why would there be dirt on the reverse as well?

[W.Unland]

Because of the money involved in these things even the Chinese have gotten into the act and are producing a VERY fine reproduction that has been clearly copied from an original using optical scanning and digital embroidery. These are VERY close to the real thing. I know they are reproductions because they are sold here in Japan as such for the re-enactor crowd.

[W.Unland]

These eagles are everywhere right now, and have been attributed to a recovered "hoard". That said I feel a significant number of this pattern are Chinese reproductions, and care should be taken with this one.

Here is one in white from my own collection which I very much distrust and suspect to be one of the "Chinese" eagles, although I have no proof. I can't get a clear enough photo of one of the repros to analyze correctly.

[W.Unland]

Before I forget here is the reproduction cap eagle most commonly found. That "rosette" at the bottom of the wreath is totally wrong. These are sold as reproductions for re-enactors, but have found their way into the collector's market as authentic. They are found on all colors of background material.

[W.Unland]

Next is another older reproduction. The fact that it has been used to make a "named" Wasserschutzpolizei eagle is a dead giveaway. WSP eagles were NEVER named, and certainly not below the eagle itself. Although I have seen this in other colors it seems to be encountered mostly as WSP eagles. It is a copy of an authentic pattern.

[W.Unland]

Here is a currently produced pattern, not based on any known authentic pattern. Well made, but not particularly realistic:

[W.Unland]

These come in all colors and are for sale in Europe:

[W.Unland]

These are availabale in all colors, named and un-named:

[W.Unland]

Here is another current European offering. It is well made and based on an authentic pattern, but is peculiar enough to raise suspicion. These are sold as reproductions and are always in the "cut out" format. They are available in all branch colors as well as fantasy colors.

[Bob Hritz]

I sold over 200 original feldgendarmerie eagles I got from the veteran's family. Most were still thread wrapped in bundles of 10. Helmut Weitze bought over 100 of them, so he is selling originals.

I will post the photo of the originals of which I kept 2.

Bob Hritz

[W.Unland]

To continue, here are a few more, starting with a really ugly repro which should not fool anyone:

[W.Unland]

Another. As usual these are found in all colors.

[W.Unland]

Here is an odd "one off" eagle, that has all the characteristics of being a reproduction, including the rubbed in dirt aging, but I have never seen another for sale.