Black Wound Badge

[TobyR]

Hi Everyone,

I acquired this some months back but have never felt totally comfortable with it.

As you can see it is in exceptional condition - perhaps too good though since it is so fresh in appearance. I can't even lift the pin up: as if it has seized due to a recent paint job.

The other big concern of mine is the lack of definition to the swastika, specifically the edges of the swas which look quite rounded.

I feel a little silly asking about a relatively low-value piece but best to dispel any and all doubt.

So, fake or nice original?

Thanks for looking.

All the best,
Toby.

[TobyR]

Angle - notice the rounded ends to the arms of the swas.

[TobyR]

Reverse;

[Gregorio Torres]

I can´t see anything wrong in this badge.
Toby, it´s not a good idea suspect of a item just because it´s too well preserved. If you take a look at the fakes in the market the main part of them are well aging, and there is a lot of original items looking as new.
Regards
Gregorio

[TobyR]

Hi Gregorio,

Thanks for replying. You are right about condition not necessarily being a bad sign - plenty of mint EK's out there. I did find it odd that the pin wouldn't open though, at least not without the risk of breaking it.

Perhaps I expressed the order of my concerns incorrectly. My main reason for doubting the badge is the swastika, i.e. the rounded ends of the arms. The condition just added to my concerns.

Best,
Toby.

[Gregorio Torres]

Perhaps when watching in your hand this rounded ends in the swastika is more strange, but by the pics I can******180;t see anything too much alarming, although it******180;s not the usual definition. It******180;s more troubling the question of this problem to open the pin. Normally this problem is bring about a new paint or for rust, but both chances may be ruled out looking your pictures.
Where is exactly the problem? Is the pin catch so closed? or the pin assembly is very hard to be moved? Both problems are easily solved if you are careful, when you******180;ll be sure about the originality of the item.
Regards
Gregorio

[TobyR]

Thanks again, Gregorio.

I've had a better look at the hinge area of the pin, using a loupe and a very bright light. Lifting the pin as much as possible, I believe I can see rust (of the correct colour for old rust) on the pin, in the area normally covered by the hinge. This is reassuring.

Best,
Toby.

[don]

Looks good to me.Yes paint does look thick.I have seen that on some other wound badges.No one knows for sure if they were all sprayed or
done with a dip tank method.Might wish to find out how to test
the paint on edge of badge.
don

[Okrach]

It is a nice, well preserved badge to my eyes. Unmarked '4' I would say...

[fugpaw]

Looks good to me, in a very very good state of preservation

[TobyR]

Thanks for the additional comments on this. When I bought it, I thought it was fine, but once I had it in had, doubt started to creep in. I'm sure you all know what it can be like, once you have a niggling little doubt about something period. Thankfully, looks like it was misplaced. Better safe than sorry though.

All the best,
Toby.

[Chrvip68]

Toby,

Your WB is looking good to me made of steel.

Glossy mint paints has been encountered before and simply do the 'smell' test and try with alcohol at 90 degrees in a hide area like back of the pin or at the base of the hinge or catch and if you see the paint removed VERY easily than along with the smell test - if smell's fresh, you know what i mean- then your WB is repainted, another test is to scratch with your nail a part of the paint.

Becareful original paint can be removed from the rub but not easily and this happening because of the age, old paints removed more difficult.

[TobyR]

Hi Chris,

Many thanks for your reply. I must admit I'm reluctant to try alcohol, given the condition of the badge, but no bad smells, I'm happy to say. Both pin and badge are magnetic.

All the best,
Toby.