Gau Baden sliver

[Steve C]

Hi Guys
Just before Christmas I bought from Detlev a gau baden badge in sliver with a number stamped on the back of 21541. Would this be his nsdap party number or some more local number?
I can't post pictures but if anybody would like to post them for me please pm me and I will e-mail them.
Detlev's measurements for those interested are W : 35.28mm H : 45.78mm and weight : 14.43g.

Regards
Steve C

[Bob Coleman]

I have never seen any system of numbering on the Gau Baden badges. More likely is your supposition tht it was a personal modification. I would agree that it is possibly the owner's NSDAP number.

[Don Scowen]

I remember the badge you bought. If you PM me I'll send you my email & post the images for you.

Cheers
Don

[Don Scowen]

Here's Steve's badge.

It is the one I remember, I'll be interested in the members views on this one myself.

Cheers
Don

[Steve C]

Gau Baden

Thanks for posting the images Don.
I assume the only mystery is the numbers on the back, looks like a text book badge to me, in the hand it's a very nice early high quality badge.
Why would you put your party number on the rear, was there a chance of losing it under normal circumstances? It appears period to me.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Regards
Steve C

[Don Scowen]

Can you get a straight on image of the badge as opposed to the angled shot that Detlev used?

There are some small differences on this compared to other "textbook" Badens. The heart shaped chest is more pronounced here & the patterns of the leaves in both wreaths are slightly different, as is the shape of the beak.

It could just be the lighting & angle though.

Cheers
Don

[Steve C]

Gau Baden

Thanks Don,
I will try and get some decent photos.
The only quality picture I have to compare with is out of Detlevs price guide.
Anybody else got one of these guys to establish what text book means?
If this is the standard of repro's I think I'll give up collecting, at least I have a good return option.
Regards
Steve C

[Bob Coleman]

As Don mentioned, there appear to be slight differences in this badge from the image. However, I believe, as mentioned by Don, tht this is due to the angle and the lighting. It appears to have all of the natural age and wear one would expect to find on a period worn example.

[Stan]

Gau Baden

Thanks Don,
I will try and get some decent photos.
The only quality picture I have to compare with is out of Detlevs price guide.
Anybody else got one of these guys to establish what text book means?
If this is the standard of repro's I think I'll give up collecting, at least I have a good return option.
Regards
Steve C

Steve,

The badge looks fine to me apart from the eagles head which I think should be flat on top. As already stated, the problem could well be the angle that the photo was taken. Here are my two for comparison.

Stan

[Stan]

Gau Baden

Silver.

Stan

[Steve C]

Gau Baden

Thanks Guys for your replies, I'm not to concerned just yet about mine having seen Stan's cracking examples.
I will try and get some decent images of the head area tomorrow.
Regards
Steve C

[Stan]

Gau Baden

Steve,

Herewith a close up of the eagles head on my silver badge. Another point I like to see is that the swas and other high points are burnished. This doesn't show up too well on a photo and certainly a lot of badges don't display this feature after 70+ years but my silver and gold examples do.

Stan

[Steve C]

Gau Baden

Thanks Stan for your great close up.
I will try and get some close ups on soon but yours is a real German square head. Mine is different and now I am begining to worry.
My badge has no frosting and looks to have been worn down to the base nickel type material, some frosting can be seen under the wings.
The head and top of the wings appear to have been hand filed, the head having a slight flat top, but not to the same extent as yours.
I think Don's intial reactions may be right.
Regards
Steve C

[Don Scowen]

Finally dug mine out of the safety box. Less of the frosting remains & what is there can't be seen in the scan due to the glare.

Cheers
Don

[Don Scowen]

Pictures posted for Steve. He quotes "Note the pointy beak"