2 wound badges...which to keep?

[HunterSS]

I have just gotten a lot of awards in a group and I am in the process of sorting them out. Here are 2 wound badges..are they both real and which one should I keep? The blacker of the 2 has a 100 maker mark, but is the clasp too high?

[HunterSS]

rear

[HunterSS]

maker mark..100

[Tom Yanacek]

Hello,

Both badges are ok. I would keep the one with the '100' maker mark. It is in much nicer condition, and it will always be worth more because it is maker marked. Also, I have always preferred the steel ones over the brass ones.
Best regards! Tom

[Darrell]

I assume the badge at the right in the bottom photo is the reverse of the badge to the left in the top photo?

[HunterSS]

Thanks Tom. Being a "dagger guy" for so long all of my reference materials have so far been on edged weapons. There are so many nuances with all the awards and badges I feel like the proverbiable duck out of water..straight into a field of landminds I'm basically adding to my collection and selling the rest, I just don't want to sell something that is a repo without selling it as such. Again thanks.

[mrg]

Hi Hunter, have just clicked onto this thread would agree with tyanacek both WB looks good. I too would keep the mm one, much nicer. looks to me that someone has tried to clean the brass one, in the hope of making it a gold WB as all the high areas have lost the origanal colour in too a uniform pattern.( just a thought). Dont necessary think mm WB are more expensive though. I have two one mm, the other not and paid the same for both. Best regards.

[Mark S.]

It doesnt appear to be cleaned at all, it looks like normal honest wear and tear to me. It wasnt uncommon for these badges to take a beating, there are plenty of period photographs to support this.

I disagree that unmarked badges (be it wound badges, or any other badge) are worth the same as marked badges. All things being equal, you will find that there is much more demand for badges with a maker mark.

I would keep them both, each would make a wonderful display with Wehrmacht dagger.

[don]

I will go along with Mark.The brass one is a nice example also

[HunterSS]

Gotta make one pay for the other.....the nature of the beast (hobby). That's my problem now. The stuff I buy to sell to get other stuff...I wind up keeping too! God I love this addiction!! Thanks for the replies.

[Robin Lumsden]

They're both good, but I'd keep the unmarked worn one.

Unmarked awards are usually (not always) earlier than marked ones, and better made.

[HunterSS]

Robin....you guys convienced me (like it took much). Why break up the pair! By the way ..just finished "Edged Weapons of Hitler's Germany"...it's a keeper too! Good material.

[Laurence Strong]

Robin....you guys convienced me (like it took much). Why break up the pair! .

Spoken like a true collector, or should I say addict