Solid Black Woundbadge - Buntmetall

[Varsity]

Hello,

I've a solid black woundbadge in tombac (Buntmetall).
Looking at the design and pin/catch set-up it looks like an unmarked 30
Hauptmünzamt example.

It came from a private household recently and I'm sure the finish is original.
I've not seen an example like this before.

Regards Jim

[Varsity]

Close up of pin/catch

[Ron P]

Very interesting. If it is the real deal, you are a lucky guy. Regards, Ron.

[Don D.]

Tombak is a form of brass. I see silverish metal......

[adlerfan53]

Looks like someone painted a SWB black. IMO.

[reichenberg]

Looks like someone painted a SWB black. IMO.

I agree. It looks like a good sliver award painted black.

[Flemisch lion]

The badge looks OK, only have some misgivings about the black paint

Kind regards
Jan

[Andreas Klein]

Interesting badge ... but imo there is no final answer for it. I'm quite sure that massive black ones were made but all of them which i have seen so far were made from zink and in late war design.

[reichenberg]

We all know that wound badges were sometimes upgraded from black to silver or gold by giving them a new finish. I wonder if when there was no other alternative they were also downgraded? It would be unusual but not impossible. I don't really see much of a problem with the paintwork.

[Varsity]

Hi all, thanks.

The base is a tombac Silver example.
The black paint is showing all details and patina you would expect. And it does not come from a collector source so I'm pretty confident about it being original.

It is not textbook of course, but a variety

Regards Jim

[wehrpasswilly]

I did have a '100' marked example in my collection up to a year ago - could never be certain whether it was an original or not - I'll contact the buyer (who is a close friend) and see if he can post some pics.

[Don D.]

Personally I doubt that is a factory finish. Look at how it has chipped and flaked. I bet acetone would take it off.

[Ron P]

Personally I doubt that is a factory finish. Look at how it has chipped and flaked. I bet acetone would take it off.

The acetone test may shed some light. I believe this badge has a chance.