GPBs

[sdesember]

Really great stash. Do you prefer the Fuess small pin as you appear to need a Deschler 30mm

Thank you for the compliment! Yes, originally I was going for all Fuesses, but I just happened to encounter a couple of Deschlers along the way.

[ErichS]

It seems that the 24mm Deschlers are less common than the Fuess versions.

[sdesember]

It seems that the 24mm Deschlers are less common than the Fuess versions.

It seems so to me, too. And, if I'm not incorrect, in a far better condition than the Fuess when found.

[ErichS]

Many collectors feel that the Fuess versions were replacement badges while the Deschlers were the originals awarded/ purchased.

Maybe the new Party badge book will be able to answer the replacement badge question.

[Br. James]

A good comment, thank you Erich. I am among those who hold the opinion that the original GPB was awarded in sets of two badges, both Deschlers, and that only the replacements or additional badges were secured through the manufacturer that carried the “Jos. Fuess München" homage to the jeweler who worked with Hitler to design the original NSDAP Membership Pin logo: "The party insignia was also designed along the same lines: a white disk on a red field, with the swastika in the middle. A Munich goldsmith by the name of Füss furnished the first usable design, which was kept." [MK Book 2, Chapter VII]

As Erich said, let's hope that the new book on the evolution of the Party Pin in all its ramifications will help to solve this long-standing uncertainty!

Br. James

[Br. James]

In note #10 I asked this question: "that last Fuess-marked piece #93119 appears to have been jeweler-engraved instead of the normal numbering process. Would this have been done on top of the original numbers, and for what reason?" Does anyone have any thoughts on this query?

Many thanks,

Br. James

[sdesember]

In note #10 I asked this question: "that last Fuess-marked piece #93119 appears to have been jeweler-engraved instead of the normal numbering process. Would this have been done on top of the original numbers, and for what reason?" Does anyone have any thoughts on this query?

Many thanks,

Br. James

The numbers engraving on them seem to be similar in style. Perhaps done by the same jeweller? At Fuess?

[Br. James]

As I understand it, and as I recall our dear departed colleague, John Pepera, discussing it, the process for placing the numbers on the reverse of GPBs was called 'roto-engraving.' As I noted earlier, all of the badges in the pix at the beginning of this thread share this style of numbering, except for the very last one, the Fuess-marked badge #93119. The numbers on this last badge appear to be cut at an angle, unlike all the others in this collection, which are flat-set. These numbers have the shiny look of an engraving tool, and I am wondering whether someone went over the original roto-engraved numbers a second time, with an engraving tool, in order to give them that slant-cut appearance? Anyone have any thoughts to share on this question?

Cheers,

Br. James

[ErichS]

As I understand it, and as I recall our dear departed colleague, John Pepera, discussing it, the process for placing the numbers on the reverse of GPBs was called 'roto-engraving.' As I noted earlier, all of the badges in the pix at the beginning of this thread share this style of numbering, except for the very last one, the Fuess-marked badge #93119. The numbers on this last badge appear to be cut at an angle, unlike all the others in this collection, which are flat-set. These numbers have the shiny look of an engraving tool, and I am wondering whether someone went over the original roto-engraved numbers a second time, with an engraving tool, in order to give them that slant-cut appearance? Anyone have any thoughts to share on this question?

Cheers,

Br. James

Sorry double post.

[ErichS]

As I understand it, and as I recall our dear departed colleague, John Pepera, discussing it, the process for placing the numbers on the reverse of GPBs was called 'roto-engraving.' As I noted earlier, all of the badges in the pix at the beginning of this thread share this style of numbering, except for the very last one, the Fuess-marked badge #93119. The numbers on this last badge appear to be cut at an angle, unlike all the others in this collection, which are flat-set. These numbers have the shiny look of an engraving tool, and I am wondering whether someone went over the original roto-engraved numbers a second time, with an engraving tool, in order to give them that slant-cut appearance? Anyone have any thoughts to share on this question?

Cheers,

Br. James

James,

Roto engraving was done on some of the 30mm badges and not on the 24mm badges. I don't feel that the roto engraved badges were renumbered but rather were finished badges that were jeweler engraved when needed. The lines or ridges you see on these badges near the numbers I feel are sanding marks after the engraving was done to remove the metal shavings. I have discussed this with Steve Wolfe and he is in agreement with this theory.

[Br. James]

Thanks, Erich! Perhaps I am not recognizing the difference(s) between the roto-engraving and die stamping of the numbers; could you possibly post a typical photo of the reverse of a GPB in each numbering method? That would be most helpful, my friend!

Br. James

[der-hase-fee]

Here you can see a particularly poor roto engraving job:



By the way, WWM is still the best resource for any question about the GPB.

[der-hase-fee]

Many collectors feel that the Fuess versions were replacement badges while the Deschlers were the originals awarded/ purchased.

Maybe the new Party badge book will be able to answer the replacement badge question.

Actually, the other way around. That may be the reason for the difference in condition observed.

[sdesember]

A good comment, thank you Erich. I am among those who hold the opinion that the original GPB was awarded in sets of two badges, both Deschlers, and that only the replacements or additional badges were secured through the manufacturer that carried the “Jos. Fuess München" homage to the jeweler who worked with Hitler to design the original NSDAP Membership Pin logo: "The party insignia was also designed along the same lines: a white disk on a red field, with the swastika in the middle. A Munich goldsmith by the name of Füss furnished the first usable design, which was kept." [MK Book 2, Chapter VII]

As Erich said, let's hope that the new book on the evolution of the Party Pin in all its ramifications will help to solve this long-standing uncertainty!

Br. James

There must be some GPB recipients who did not serve in any functions of the government and were just civilians.. If yes, would they also have to order both sizes?

[sdesember]

Actually, the other way around. That may be the reason for the difference in condition observed.

It could be the Party stopped ordering from Fuess and contracted the Deschler instead for the later productions. And, these better conditioned small Deschlers could be manufactured in this later phase. But, I'd think that a proud Party member would want to wear his or her GPB ASAP and frequently which then would counterdict the almost minty conditions of these small Deschlers. Souvenirs from the Deschler Firma, perhaps, after the war from the not yet delivered orders?