Gold Party Badge

[Bob Coleman]

Thanks Bob ...I was thinking Wizard ,Steve (GPB guy) myself and some others should start a new Thread documenting everything but , it's probably been done on the Forum before.
Here a some pictures comparing my 2 Deschlers measurements--

Mike-
I think your thoughts on this are valid and a thread on GPB construction and fakes should be started. I am requesting this out of selfish reasons as it is an area of 3rd Reich collecting in which my knowledge on the fakes is limited.
Bob

[Mike P.]

Here's a "Jos Fuess"
Don't let the badge angle fool you ..I used the crossed ribbons and the point where the wreaths meet to measure.
I did not want to clamp it really tight and dent the badge , that's why they tilted

[Mike P.]

Fuess center measurements

[Mike P.]

Hi Bob ...should I start a new thread where all the collectors can compare and post dimensions etc?

[Bob Coleman]

Hi Bob ...should I start a new thread where all the collectors can compare and post dimensions etc?

Mike-
I think this is a must and a thread I would suggest be pinned.
Bob

[Mike P.]

ok ..I'll start it and if many of us add to it..it will be a great thread

[Wizard]

Hi ya Wizard ...the "planchet" and center still come from a die ..they were not hand crafted one by one ..that's why we can spot a JF with the RR tracks as opposed to a Deschler right off the bat...dif die.

Tonight I'll compare the wreaths and locate some tell tale die flaws

Mike, I agree that the planchet and center is die-struck. My point is that it's not that hard, for the faker, to measure it and reproduce one that is very close to the original. That's a no brainer and not very sophisticated method to distinguish the fakes.

It's been awhile but there are differences amongst the Fuess and Deschler wreaths.

[ErichS]

From what i have seen the Fuess badges are the most faked. I have never seen a good Deschler 24mm repro badge.

[Mike P.]

I'm not so sure about that Wizard ...years ago people thought the same thing about RK's and even EK's ..but now look at all the work and research Collectors like Dietrich and others have done. Die Flaws on an S&L RK , (the "dent row" on 3 oclock arm and defect on the bottom bead -6 oclock arm)and others can now be used like a fingerprint , so even if an item is not maker marked ...we can still ID what Company made it. I think this is true for all badges ..look at a Zimmermann DK , with the naked eye you can see the 10 oclock starburst defect and the flaws on the wreath,the leaves, on the date...even the maker mark. Once you have an authentic badge to use as a control ..the minuscule tell tale flaws will show up with a 10X loup and more at higher power. Then we can start looking /comparing notes to see what flaws are common to specific makers.
I don't believe there will ever be (at least not in my lifetime) an exact reproduction badge made that will copy every detail and even all of the die flaws .