Please help uniform guy

[Demianthedog]

I have a brass wound badge that would be have been manufactured from 1939-1942. No maker mark. Absolutely no evidence of black paint on this polished brass badge. I've searched the forum and haven't come up with a similar badge to compare. I appreciate any opinions.

[Demianthedog]

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[Hans N]

Hi,

the badge is original but made by an unknown maker. This type is sometimes refered to as the "Assmann type" due to the fact that the makermarked Assmann WB´s are the only known maker that didnt have the the "normal" dot pattern.

[Tombak]

This badge doesn't have the alignment lines at the catch like on the others that have have been posted


Nice look'n badge though

[Tombak]

After staring at these pictures this badge looks to have never recieved a finish or has been stripped with a chemical. The does not look to have any polishing marks in it

[fugpaw]

After staring at these pictures this badge looks to have never recieved a finish or has been stripped with a chemical. The does not look to have any polishing marks in it

Nice original badge - Hans has alread said it all.

I would go for the "stripped with a chemical"; there appears to be some white residue around the hinge pin - this effect tends to occur when a WB has the black finnish stripped.

Mike

[Tombak]

I would go for the "stripped with a chemical"; there appears to be some white residue around the hinge pin - this effect tends to occur when a WB has the black finnish stripped.

Mike

This is where I would like to learn more about the manufacturing process of these badges.

Obviously ( to me) a unfinished badge would be worth more to me than a paint stripped badge.

During manufacturing, could the white substance around the pin be applied pre-hinge attachment for soldering process? Or could it be there to keep paint out of the hinge during the painting process.

I have seen many painted badges with this white substance still in there.

Another thought, maybe a polishing/cleaning compound used after the badge came out of the die to remove any excess oils and dirt before painting ?


Just trying to keep a discussion going and learn a little

[fugpaw]

This is where I would like to learn more about the manufacturing process of these badges.

Obviously ( to me) a unfinished badge would be worth more to me than a paint stripped badge.

During manufacturing, could the white substance around the pin be applied pre-hinge attachment for soldering process? Or could it be there to keep paint out of the hinge during the painting process.

I have seen many painted badges with this white substance still in there.

Another thought, maybe a polishing/cleaning compound used after the badge came out of the die to remove any excess oils and dirt before painting ?


Just trying to keep a discussion going and learn a little

efriend98 - if you are signed up to the GCA, then the following article on the manufacture of WBs will be very useful to you -

http://www.germancombatawards.com/th...facture+of+WBs

If you do not speak/read German, then go to the first post by Skip - the English translation starts there.

Mike

[Ron P]

I say it was one that never made it to the spray paint booth at the factory. Regards, Ron.

[Tombak]

Awesome read, Thanks Mike

[Tombak]

I say it was one that never made it to the spray paint booth at the factory. Regards, Ron.

That's still my opinion also even after reading the article on GCA.

[Hans N]

During manufacturing, could the white substance around the pin be applied pre-hinge attachment for soldering process? Or could it be there to keep paint out of the hinge during the painting process.

The white stuff is most likely Flux that is used when soldering the hardware to the badge

The primary purpose of flux is to prevent oxidation of the base and filler materials. Tin-lead solder, for example, attaches very well to copper, but poorly to the various oxides of copper, which form quickly at soldering temperatures. Flux is a substance which is nearly inert at room temperature, but which becomes strongly reducing at elevated temperatures, preventing the formation of metal oxides. Secondarily, flux acts as a wetting agent in the soldering process, reducing the surface tension of the molten solder and causing it to better wet out the parts to be joined.

[Demianthedog]

Thank you Hans and efriend for your interest in this badge. The link to the GCA article is the most informative that I've read and your debate is interesting. I especially enjoyed the thread on the K&Q manufacturing process as I have both a black and a silver 65. - I don't necessarily collect these but when you collect uniforms you collect everything that goes on them.

One of my concerns at first glance was the "stipling" and the complete lack of paint. The white substance in the crossguard grooves almost appear to have a very light greenish tint to me, like oxidized copper. But I don't trust my old eyes anymore.

You've made me feel more confident about the badge and I really appreciate the input!

Regards, Jim