Gau Essen

[Martyn1]

Thoughts on this
It's definitly silver and heavily patinated

[Martyn1]

The back

[Martyn1]

Front

[Matthew]

Post war Souval badge.
The originals were produced without any secondary variants- both grades were struck using the same die as pictured below. Silver was produced in 935 and gold in 585.

cheers

Matt

[Martyn1]

Would value some other opinions

[Gary Symonds]

1

[Gary Symonds]

2

[Gary Symonds]

Here is my Gau Essen, with a 935 silver mark.

I have to say that the badge from Martyn 1, appears to have identical rear hardware and does not look like Souval.

The obverse also appears to be original.

Could this example simply be in unmarked silver, or even a badge made from base metal?

[Matthew]

Hello Martyn,

Thank You for your mail. Here is another Souval badge to compare against yours. This one is L/58 marked.
Regarding different types of hardware used on those: they did vary depending on the time frame of their production. It applies to different badges by Souval as well. Quality seem to follow the same pattern- early pins seem to display more attention to detail and finishing that is not present to the same degree on later specimens. What is the same on all is the die work and that is what should be used for accurate comparison.

cheers

Matt

[Matthew]

Comparison between marked Souval and Martyn's badge.

cheers

Matt

[Matthew]

Obverses.

cheers

Matt

[Martyn1]

Sorry Matthew
but these two badges don't come from the same die if you really compare them

[schönbeck]

A lot of differences.

[Martyn1]

Nor is it the same as Gary's badge...the hammers don't touch the sword
I don't think the badge I posted was made by Souval

[Matthew]

The outside perimeter of those was hand finished hence the differences. And that's not to say that some uncultured fakers did not make a knock-off of the Souval piece. Wouldn't be first. But in this case and judging by the very same clasp even if one upside down when compared to the other- I would lean towards both being fine and genuine, if postwar, Souval products
I would welcome to see any of the documented originals of this type you mentioned in your note.
Looking forward to it.

cheers

Matt