Unusual NSDAP Thuringen Badge

[RobertE]

Hi Folks,
If any of you are familiar with this badge, I'd appreciate some help. It has a service-type (heavy, non-tinnie) pin, and a serial number. I've seen these in silver, but not bronze. Any ideas?

[RobertE]

reverse -

[RobertE]

pin -

[RobertE]

And serial number - what the heck is it?

[Don Scowen]

Hi Folks,
If any of you are familiar with this badge, I'd appreciate some help. It has a service-type (heavy, non-tinnie) pin, and a serial number. I've seen these in silver, but not bronze. Any ideas?

Are you sure it's bronze, not silver? It's hard to tell from the picture.....

If bronze, then it could be one of the batch of bronze Thüringen Gau badges found in 2002 by one of the large US dealers during one of his motel buys. These have proved quite contraversial as they are not mentioned in either the Organisation books of 1940 and 1943 or the Gau Thüringia book that lists the first 1000 name who received the silver award.

If it is the silver version, there should be a 800 stamped on the bottom edge of the Swastika.

Cheers
Don

[John Bart]

Tinnie Version

I've only seen the silver .800 marked version, as Don noted, and the tinnie version. Some other forum members may have an opinion.

[John Bart]

Reverse..

[RobertE]

Gents, thanks for the responses. This badge is a heavily patinaed bronze, and has never been silver. I don't know about a hotel buy in 2002; I've had this for 35 years and I got it from my neighbor in Colorado, who got it in the war.

This is about all I know: It is a direct vet acquisition. It has a stamped serial number, as shown. It has a heavier pin than and tinnie, and is sturdier than the Gau badges you see - this thing is heavier than a regular tinnie. And there is no trace, anywhere, of any finish other than what's shown. I know it's authentic, and not in the books, but don't know what it is.

s/f Robert

[Don Scowen]

Gents, thanks for the responses. This badge is a heavily patinaed bronze, and has never been silver. I don't know about a hotel buy in 2002; I've had this for 35 years and I got it from my neighbor in Colorado, who got it in the war.

This is about all I know: It is a direct vet acquisition. It has a stamped serial number, as shown. It has a heavier pin than and tinnie, and is sturdier than the Gau badges you see - this thing is heavier than a regular tinnie. And there is no trace, anywhere, of any finish other than what's shown. I know it's authentic, and not in the books, but don't know what it is.

s/f Robert

Robert,

Could be your vet picked it up in the same place the as the guy who sold the bunch at the motel in 2002. Those ones came in issue packets which would suggest that they were found in a depot or factory as the troops were moving through.

Cheers
Don

[RobertE]

Robert,

Could be your vet picked it up in the same place the as the guy who sold the bunch at the motel in 2002. Those ones came in issue packets which would suggest that they were found in a depot or factory as the troops were moving through.

Cheers
Don

Don,
Could very well be. This one was worn, however; the pin has been bent in a number of places from use. The entire piece has wear to it, in fact: it looks like it made it out of the factory pack before the end of hostilities. Also - were the ones found in the hotel buy serial numbered? I'd love to see a picture of one of the ones from the 2002 buy anyone have one to share?

[Don Scowen]

Don,
Could very well be. This one was worn, however; the pin has been bent in a number of places from use. The entire piece has wear to it, in fact: it looks like it made it out of the factory pack before the end of hostilities. Also - were the ones found in the hotel buy serial numbered? I'd love to see a picture of one of the ones from the 2002 buy anyone have one to share?

Yes, they were numbered, here is the late Bill Stump's picture from when he owned them, the packs had the matching serial number printed on them

Cheers
Don

[Darrell]

Yes, they were numbered, here is the late Bill Stump's picture from when he owned them, the packs had the matching serial number printed on them

Cheers
Don

Hey Don .. did you ever hear what happened with all of Bill's stuff? He have family that inherited it? Or was it sold off in auctions?

[Don Scowen]

Hey Don .. did you ever hear what happened with all of Bill's stuff? He have family that inherited it? Or was it sold off in auctions?

No idea I'm afraid..... I do know however that these bronze Thüringen were split & sold off before he died.

Cheers
Don

[RobertE]

No idea I'm afraid..... I do know however that these bronze Thüringen were split & sold off before he died.

Cheers
Don

Don,
This was very useful for me, thanks. I'd love to compare the number stamping style and location, but I'd likely to have to find a new owner of one of this late collector to make that happen. s/f Robert

[AZartman]

here is mine.

It is stamped 800 and has seen some use. Curious as to value?? It also has stamped serial number. You can PM if you prefer.