Gold Wound Badge Minefield

[Dennis P]

Ronny:

That is a very good thing to note because it does leave one more very logical possibility.....Larry and I could have badges by an unknown maker other than Hauptmunzamt 30, or any of the known maker badges I listed sharing the same obverse design.

My silver example is identical to Larry's in every way yet.......look Ma no rings. At this point given the dimensional differences, the above comment may be the bottom line.

Does this mean Larry has to shop for a mint maker marked 30 GWB for his case? He can always sell this unknown goldie to me to help defray the cost. Just kidding, and I do hope we hear some more insights from other forum members.

Dennis

[Larry Lipps]

Okay, let's confuse matters even more. Until Ronnie's post I wasn't sure this was a fair comparison, but after seeing his measurements I think it is. I also have a 30 marked badge with a flat pin. The measurements are almost identical to Ronnies gold version, 43.861 H and 38.335 W. The weight is 33.5 G. A little smaller than the gold, but I wasn't sure about comparing a flat pin to a round one. Now the confusion: there's no trace of the swirl pattern I can find. I've looked at numerous angles and lighting, but no swirls. Not certain where this takes us, but maybe it's another piece of the puzzle.

[Larry Lipps]

The reverse,

[Larry Lipps]

And the details,

[Thomas Kirkpatrick]

My marked Silver 30 also has the swirl pattern and matches close to Ronnys measurements; H43.80mm W36.35mm.

[Larry Lipps]

Because the clock is running on my gold wound badge and we seem to have reached the point where we've lapsed into the comatose post syndrome, I'd like to sumarize what I think I've learned from this thread. Please don't hesitate to correct me if someone thinks I'm wrong or drawing the wrong conclusions.

1. Because the badges that Dennis and I posted are slightly larger than other 30 marked badges, they are presumed to have been made by another maker.

2. "30" badges will be of the same approximate dimensions whatever the generation and type of attachment.

3. The swirl pattern sould be detectible on an original 30 badge.

Is that it or am I still confused?

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Larry,

The swirl pattern should normally be detectable but you appear to have an exception to that "rule"! Never say never. A worn reverse die, heavier than usual silver plating or heavy buffing/cleaning prior to plating could all explain the absence of the swirl.

The hinge on your 30 marked no apparent swirl example is a correct match for other marked 30 examples though (and different from your unmarked Gold example in question - compare post #3 and #19).

Given the almost universal swirl pattern on marked examples, the slight size variations and the different hinges encountered on marked v's unmarked examples, there is a GOOD POSSIBILITY that they were produced by different manufacturers. At the very least different reverse dies were used and slightly different hardware assemblies employed. Another possibility of course is that the Vienna Mint usind multiple dies synchronously, however I wouls expect to see more variations/mixing of sizes/swirls/hinges than has been apparent to date.

There is no concrete evidence either way to state your unmarked gold example is or is not a "30". That was the point I was trying to raise in an older thread where I stated (as fact) that the marked 30 obverse design is shared by many manufacturers. Typically your type of badge is sold with the STATEMENT that "it is an unmarked 30" - it is that sort of statement that I have a problem with.

The bottom line though is that you have a VERY NICE ORIGINAL Gold Wound Badge

Regards
Mike

[Thomas Kirkpatrick]

After looking into this subject further, I have found a picture on one of the dealer sites with a Marked 30 SWB bearing this same reverse setup.

[Frank Heukemes]

Totally with Mike here, I think there is no absolute necessity for a 30 badge to have the swirl marks.

[Larry Lipps]

A new member, Mick, can't post photos yet and asked me to add his badges to this post. I'll let him ask whatever questions he needs answered.

[Mick]

Thanks Larry

I would like you all to see my wound badges ( silver is marked 30 ) ( gold un-marked )
Please could I have some opinions on these if they are good or bad?
Do you think the Gold Wound badge is a 30 un-marked?
Thankyou and good luck in future purchases
Mick