Luftwaffe DAK pith helmet eagles silver vs. gold?

[nonameno]

Hello Gentlemen,
I have a question for everyone. I have two completely original Luftwaffe eagles for the DAK pith helment. One is painted with a silver wash, the other with a gold wash. Any ideas why? Just a makers difference? Early vs. later war? They both look like brass or bunt metal (bronze)?
Let the games begin.....
Thanks,
Curtiss
nonameno@aol.com

[nonameno]

reverse

[nonameno]

close-up

[Tim O'Keefe]

Hello Curtiss,

Early Eagles were die-stamped brass, then silver plated.
Late war often were die-stamped zinc alloy.
Both should have an opening on the upper arm of the swastika below the lower claw of the eagle.
John Figueroa's Tropical Headgear vol II pages 99-102 have excellent examples.
If the Eagle is cast, or does not have this gap below claw, it is a fake...hope this helps.

Regards
Tim

[Jos L C]

Hello Curtiss,
Both should have an opening on the upper arm of the swastika below the lower claw of the eagle.
If the Eagle is cast, or does not have this gap below claw, it is a fake...Regards
Tim

I disagree,Tim..,think there's a original 2 prong pattern which doesn't has the opening.

Curtiss,can you make a better pic of the "gold' one,please ?
From those pics it's hard to judge.

Jos.

[Tim O'Keefe]

Hello Jos,

You are correct about two prongs and gap, thankyou for reminding me.
I should have been more specific. I can not tell for sure from these pics.
Curtiss's Eagles appear to be three pronged,
but I agree need a little better pics to judge these two eagles.

Regards
Tim

[nonameno]

Hello Guys,
They are all three prong. They are all cut out swastikas. They are all brass or a bunt/copper type?
The silver washed eagle is on brass, the gold washed eagle appears to be on bunt metal. The silver finished eagle is missing one pronge, otherwise they both have 3 prongs.
Now, the finish color????
Thanks,
Curtiss

[nonameno]

gold wash on bunt

[Tim O'Keefe]

Hello
The brass, die-stamped eagles were silver plated. Thats standard.
Don't know about gold one, someone here with more knowledge perhaps.
Would like help here. Thanks. These two look nice.
regards
Tim

[nonameno]

Hello Gentlemen,
Here is my thought...silver plate is regular Luftwaffe ranks to include officers. Gold wash is for Generals!! Oh boy, I like that idea?
Thanks,
Curtiss

[Jos L C]

Hello Gentlemen,
Here is my thought...silver plate is regular Luftwaffe ranks to include officers. Gold wash is for Generals!! Oh boy, I like that idea?
Thanks,
Curtiss

True,..so,if it's gold color in daylight and has kind of wash/finish instead of paint,then you might have a General's eagle...

Nice birds btw..

Jos.

[nonameno]

Hi Jos,
I will try and take some pictures in daylight (if we ever see the sun again). It is a gold wash/plate. I was kind of joking about it being a General's, but on the other hand, it is really the only plausible explanation.
You will notice the the green vertigris on the gold washed eagle as well.
What color was the one I sold you years ago?
Thank you,
Curtiss
btw. I will possilby be putting both birds on the market in the near future.

[nonameno]

daylight pictures

[nonameno]

daylight silver

[Jos L C]

Yes,there's some gold-ish stuff there...,but I personaly think it's tarnished silver,just like some helmet Army decals turning into gold over the years.
Difficult one though..
Can you make a close-up of ,let's say,the breast area ?

Jos.