Wound badge in black maker: E.S.P.

[Untergang]

Hi guys , I just got this badge.
The backside is marked , not with a number but with the letters E.S.P.
Who can give me more details about it. ??
The are also heavier ten a regular one. Are they made from zinc ??
Also the attachment of the needle and hook is pretty odd.
Are these pretty rare ??

Thanks

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Untergang,

ESP stands for Eugen Schmidthaussier Pforzheim

They have several variants, two of which use this crimped in hardware (different sized letters).

You need to be very careful with these badges now as a very good casting came out a few years ago which is heavier than originals and has the upright parts of the hinge and catch separately applied rather than having the entire hinge and catch crimped into place.

The paint on your example, combined with poor obverse detail, makes me suspicious so check the hinge and catch areas VERY carefully. Maybe it is poor storage. maybe it is refinished. Maybe it is one of the repros.

Fyi, my small font ESP weighs 18.6g and my large font ESP weighs 17.4g. Both are zinc.

Regards
Mike

[Ronny.R]

Hi

Can only agree with Mike
Might be a good badge with a paint job

I have a few different badges of this type
weighs between 14,4g to 19,1g
On my badges the catch is magnetic, and on a few also the hinge


The fake badge weight is 21,7g
on the fake badge I have the pin is magnetic, not the hinge or the catch
Picture of a fake one se #5

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=957682

Cheers,
Ronny

[Untergang]

Thanks so far. Good info.
Mine has a weight of 17 grams.
The hings and hook is magnetic , the pin itself is not magnetic.
Sounds like an original one , or not ??
Are they made of zinc ??

[Ronny.R]

Hi

Yes they are made in zinc

It have the right weight and it doesn't have the same makers mark as
the fake one.

It just might have a re paint

Many badges of this type have lost most of its paint

Cheers,
Ronny