Deutsche Bergwacht Pin and Debunking the DRK Bergwacht Badge

[Tony Bologna]

I recently bought the pin with the red BW and green cross. While trying to find a period picture on it, I noticed a trend that suggests the infamous DRK Nazi Bergwacht Badge is a fake (as many suspect) and that the pin that I own may be real.

Based on the pictures that I will include here, The Bergwacht logo evolves from a red BW inside a green cross to an edelweiss on a cross and then to a red cross on top of the edelweiss. The design of the DRK Nazi Bergwacht Badge appears to be the same designs and colors as the later Bergwacht logo. In fact a picture from the 1970's shows a badge looking too similar for comfort.

I want to believe that the pin with the green cross is real, but I do not have proof. I can say that it matches the 1920's-1945 historical images/documents.
Based on my research, I now believe that the DRK Bergwacht Badge is a complete fake.

[Tony Bologna]

Original BW Logo

Here is a Bergwacht Meeting in 1937. Notice the flag in the background and the armbands. Also is a picture of Adolf Hitler standing in front of a Bergwacht Vehicle. Notice the BW logo on the front of the vehicle.

[Tony Bologna]

Late War

These late war documents and photos show the introduction of the edelweiss, but it is on top of the cross.

[Tony Bologna]

Post War

The into the 1950's and 60's you can see the new stamp with the red cross on top.

[JoeW]

Tony, nice photos and additional info. Here are some threads to lengthy discussion on this forum in the past, found by searching for Bergwacht in this forum.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ight=bergwacht

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ight=bergwacht

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ight=bergwacht

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ight=bergwacht

[Tony Bologna]

1970's

Here is a gentleman with a badge that has a striking resemblance to the one in question. I suspect the fakers just used this design and put the swastika on it.

[Tony Bologna]

1990's

In this 75th year issue, we see two badges adorn the front. The old and the new, further supporting my findings.

[Tony Bologna]

Joe,

No offense, but I've already read all four of those forums and they go absolutely nowhere. They actually confuse the reader. This is about coming up with answers, not adding spin. Your Bergwacht badge that you posted there is from the 1980's+ based on what I've posted.

Tony, nice photos and additional info. Here are some threads to lengthy discussion on this forum in the past, found by searching for Bergwacht in this forum.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ight=bergwacht

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ight=bergwacht

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ight=bergwacht

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ight=bergwacht

[Jo Rivett]

Yes of course, a 100% fantasy item, with hakenkreuz in the center to catch your eye, but it has been known for a while.

[JoeW]

Joe,

No offense, but I've already read all four of those forums and they go absolutely nowhere. They actually confuse the reader. This is about coming up with answers, not adding spin. Your Bergwacht badge that you posted there is from the 1980's+ based on what I've posted.

No offense taken. I am sorry the threads weren't of benefit to you and confused you. I think they established conclusively that the red BW on green cross was pre-1945 period as seen on the period Ausweis shown in the thread.

Perhaps the Bergwacht badge is post war. Or not. I didn't find anything conclusive in your presentation. Did you ever find the Schuster article on the Bergwacht in Patzwall's magazine?

[Tony Bologna]

Period Photo Showing BW Badge

My hard work paid off. Look at the bottom right of this photograph. The BW Badge, which I believe has 3 catches on the reverse, is shown here. It is consistent with the previous findings on the logo.

[JoeW]

Your right. You can see the BW badge with this BW Ausweis that was on an earlier thread.




And here is the reverse of the badge, showing the pin and three loops. From the looks of the pin, I believe the badge
originally had four loops and the pin was added.