What is this?

[AZartman]

Not sure what this is...I've heard it is special.

[AZartman]

2

2

[AZartman]

3

3

[Don Scowen]

Not sure what this is...I've heard it is special.

If genuine it is indeed special.

It's a Gau Thüringen badge, issued to the top 1000 senior NSDAP veterans in the Gau for their loyalty & service in the time of struggle (Kampfzeit).

Unfortunately, these have been well faked & are not easily spotted by photographs alone. An "in hand" inspection is generally needed to gauge the "feel" of the metal. Having said that, it looks good from where I'm sitting, so you are 50% there to start with.

Cheers
Don

[AZartman]

couple more pics...

anyone have a real one to compare it with. Or a weight...?

[AZartman]

5

[AZartman]

btt- looking for any other info on this piece...value? fake? Thanks again

[Erich B.]

From the photos, the details look reasonably good, but the cracks that are apparent between the eagle and top arm of the swastika are a problem. If they are stamping/casting flaws, it's likely a fake. If someone has bent it and cracked it due to stress on the metal, it could be okay but wouldn't be worth much. Original examples of the Thüringen badge aren't common but there is so little interest that the prices don't equate with the scarcity.
Erich

[AZartman]

any other thoughts?

[Ron Weinand]

Gau Badge

Here is mine from an estate sale about 10 years ago:

I, too, am looking for comments. The number on mine is a little different from yours and I don't have any cracks. The bottom lip of my badge is stamped 800, for I assume the silver content.
Ron Weinand
Weinand Militaria

[AZartman]

hmm, very similiar. Just noticed you had posted these.

Might take some additional photos outside. Looks very close to mine.

Alex

[Don Scowen]

There are differences between these two badges.

There are die characteristics on Ron's badge that are common to some of these badges which are missing on yours, plus the font on the serial number is different. Ron's has numbers with serifs.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying either is good or bad, just that there are differences.

Cheers
Don

[AZartman]

Yes there are differences on the numbers, with serifs. I just do not know what to look for in regards to the die charateristics. but thanks!

Alex

There are differences between these two badges.

There are die characteristics on Ron's badge that are common to some of these badges which are missing on yours, plus the font on the serial number is different. Ron's has numbers with serifs.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying either is good or bad, just that there are differences.

Cheers
Don