Gausieger Case - Opinions Please

[TobyR]

Hi Everybody,

I'd like to ask your opinions about this case. I have no doubts about the award itself but am a little puzzled by the case. It looks to be of period construction; the correct dimensions for this award, but what about the colour?

I'd love to hear your opinions on it.

Thanks for looking.

All the best,
Toby.

[TobyR]

And some more of the case:

[AndyD]

Hi Toby,

You may or may not already know this but....
In For Fuhrer And Fatherland volume 2 Angolia states,'Only the Reichssieger badge came in a presentation case(Gau and Kreis awards were boxed),but all were presented with an award document.The badges were not serial numbered.
He also states,' The Reichssieger badge was presented in a black simulation leather hard case.The outer lid did not have any designation,nor did the inner white satin lining.The lower section was finished in vivid blue velvet.
[I]The other level awards were presented in a blue cardboard box with white interior'.
I hope this is of some use to you,but for what it's worth,the case pictured looks ok to me,especially with the pencil markings and the animal type brown glue.
Kind regards,
Andy

[TobyR]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for that. I'm now wondering whether the recipient could have been somebody important, and consequently was given a better case (since it would seem that the award has always been in this case) or could the case have been a private purchase to house his new award?

Hmmn! Anyway, thanks for the comments.

All the best,
Toby.

[Rick Research]

Aside from the question of why icky painted 1944s would have presentation cases when the pre-war grades did not...

I wonder about the cross-shaped cut out in the center of the base---

that would seem to indicate that some weird "X" shaped "pin" backing was supposed to custom fit in there, since all other cases made had space for the hinge, pin, and catch.



Here's a pre-war Reichsieger case opened that I took for a friend a couple of years ago.

[Rick Research]

And a flimsy cardboard Gausieger box with the original "cotton wool" filling. Again, taken by me several years ago for a friend so I can only share these pix and don't have the items at hand any more.

[TobyR]

Hi Rick,

Thanks for commenting.

I just received the badge and case today, as it happens. And yes you're right about the 'T' cut out. Could it be that the case was a period modification. After all, since we know that as a rule the Gau and Kreis level award came in boxes, could it be that an existing, yet suitable case, was modified.

Although, we look at the zinc painted versions now and consider them not worthy. Presumably at the time it would still have been a (reasonably) cherished award.

Having looked at it more closely, it does seem that the badge has been in this case a long time. The cutout has moulded perfectly to the hinge and catch of the badge. You can also see the imprint of the badge in the flock, which incidentally is very soft.

Thanks again.

All the best,
Toby.

[James Noble]

Toby, Don't be so fast in dismissing your late war zincer as less desirable then the earlier versions from what I have been told they are quite rare.

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Toby,

Also be aware that the painted badges by that maker are very well faked. Here is a good shot of the fake:

Cheers, Frank

[R v Kempen]

Hi Toby.

If the eagle on your badge has 18 dorsal(?)chest feathers instead of 19 (like Frank's badge) it's a reproduction.

Frank, do you by any chance know how old the 1944 fakes are?
could you post pictures of the full badge?

Greets
Richard

[TerryG]

What do you think about this one?
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ight=gausieger

[MH184]

Hi Toby,



Have you black lighted it, does the white border glow and or indeed the lid liner ?

Kr

Marcus

[TerryG]

Marcus
Please note that this is a very old thread. I have brought it back as I have just purchased the badge shown on the Estand link. I would like some opinions on this....asap