Gold Wound Badges

[Darrell]

Here is a couple more Gold Wound Badges.

1. This first one comes with it's case. It is also "fired gilt" in it's finish. Anyone have any ideas why this type of finish? Was it more Maker specific? Maybe privately done by the owner?







2. Gold Wound Badge (maker marked 65) with more conventional bright gold finish.

[Patrick W]

Nice couple of badges. The 65 is the harder to find early zinc type with the centrally placed maker mark. I don't think either of these have a fire gilt finish as this is a dangerous and destructive process involving real gold and mercury. I think this only exists on tombak badges. Brennlack would be my best guess, a laquer which has filings of gold coloured metal in it which is then burnt off in the manufacturing process.

[Darrell]

Nice couple of badges. The 65 is the harder to find early zinc type with the centrally placed maker mark. I don't think either of these have a fire gilt finish as this is a dangerous and destructive process involving real gold and mercury. I think this only exists on tombak badges. Brennlack would be my best guess, a laquer which has filings of gold coloured metal in it which is then burnt off in the manufacturing process.

Patrick,

What do you think this finish on the top one would be classified as? Appears to be rather rough to the touch ...

I would never want to try and polish it for fear of taking all this finish off, as I doubt it is tarnish.

The same finish(?) is on my U-Boat Badge, then again I may be wrong:

[Patrick W]

I think your uboot does have a very similar finish and I think it is probably a brennlack finish. I may be wrong as there are others on this forum who know far more about finishes than I do. All look to be nice original badges, the 65 wound badge in particular has an unusually bright finish to the front.

ps. do not polish! it is not tarnish, the grey areas is where the badge is worn to the base metal, particularly on uboots it is hard to find reasonably priced ones where there is gilt finish remaining.

[Darrell]

ps. do not polish! it is not tarnish, the grey areas is where the badge is worn to the base metal, particularly on uboots it is hard to find reasonably priced ones where there is gilt finish remaining.

I wasn't planning on polishing .... learned that a long time ago.

Yeah, the 65 Badge Gold Appearance is really apparent when side by side with a Silver Wound Badge.

While I'm at it, here are my:

1. Black Wound Badge (unmarked)



2. Silver Wound Badge (Maker Mark 28)

[Patrick W]

From your pics I must say that the last badge (28) looks to be a heavily worn gold rather than a silver. You appear to have a great collection! Congrats!

[Darrell]

From your pics I must say that the last badge (28) looks to be a heavily worn gold rather than a silver. You appear to have a great collection! Congrats!

I was wondering what was with the gold traces on the back and you can see some on the Obverse at certain points.

I guess it's really hard to say one way or the other ... don't know.

[Tom Yanacek]

From your pics I must say that the last badge (28) looks to be a heavily worn gold rather than a silver. You appear to have a great collection! Congrats!

Hello,
I agree. That '28' looks to be a Gold Wound Badge with most of the finish gone. All very nice Wound Badges. That first one is marked '4' is it not? I also like the box, and that 'GWL' U-boat looks nice as well.
Best regards! Tom

[Darrell]

Hello,
I agree. That '28' looks to be a Gold Wound Badge with most of the finish gone. All very nice Wound Badges. That first one is marked '4' is it not? I also like the box, and that 'GWL' U-boat looks nice as well.
Best regards! Tom

LOL ... can't fool anyone here ... Tom you are correct ... GWL



Also, not that's all bad news having another Gold Wound Badge, but now I have Qty(4) Gold, 1 black and NO SILVER NOW !!!

Is that a Steinhauer Luck type Gold Badge you are referring (4?)? I cant quite make out the mark.

[Tom Yanacek]

Is that a Steinhauer Luck type Gold Badge you are referring (4?)? I cant quite make out the mark.

Yes, that first one you posted looks like a Steinhauer & Lück, and the pin should be marked with a '4' in relief. Try checking it with a 10x magnification loupe.
Best regards! Tom

[Chrvip68]

Very nice WBs

The first gold WB is a S&L late war production, marked '4' in the pin.

I sugest to leave the finish as is, you will regret it later if you try to polish the finish in zink based materials.