Sniper Badge image

[M Bando]

Over the years I've seen numerous discussions of the sniper badge here and most of the experts don't seem willing to acknowledge the possibility that some non-mainstream variants may have existed in the war years. I
recently found this cover of an old 1960s collector magazine, showing a variant which is not pictured in reference books. Do any of you have an example similar to this, in your collection and do any of the experts think there is any possibility of this style being original? If it was a repro, it existed quite a long time ago.

[tgn]

Mark, here is one...

[M Bando]

re: patch posted by TGN

I have one which is pretty darned similar, which came from a dealer in the 80s. However, when I show it to other collectors at shows, they dismiss it out of hand, after a single glance, because it is made of wool and in a entirely different style than the types that are usually considered mainstream. Since so little is known about bonafide originals, I'm rather surprised that the experts won't even consider the possibility that different styles existed, during the TR.
I'll post an image of mine later today. It is close enough to TGN's, that it was probably made by the same manufacturer.

[tgn]

Mark,
I bought mine as original many years ago before any of the now accpeted original sniper badges were ever seen. At that time, this was the accepted original wartime version.

But I now think this is an early '57 version of the badge rather than wartime. Or course, I would be thrilled to discover that it is indeed wartime.

Tom

[longislandercjv]

Hello Mark;
Even at this later date, we still lack a period photo of the sniper's badge in wear. (at least I've never seen or heard of one).
Until then, the originality of even the "mainstream" examples are conjecture.
The "Metz 1944" cuffband is an excellent example of this. Until the photo
of Generalmajor von Siegroth emerged, there was no proof that the cuffband was ever worn.

BTW, it was great talking to you at the SOS. Your book is now a valued addition to my reference library.

[NickG]

Isn't that light grayish back ground color considered Bundeswehr?
See post 104 showing a BW gray backed (BeVo) variant...

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...hr#post4264184

[M Bando]

Here's mine



Similar in many ways, to TGN's but different in the lines on the eagles chest and neck, style of beak, and also the acorns at the bottom. This came from a dealer about 25 years ago and was wrapped in tan paper, such as some common assault badges were. The dealer claimed to have received it from a US Third Armored Division veteran. Unfortunately no name or sub-unit was recorded. Anyhow it is what it is, until proven fake. That light gray Bundeswehr example linked-to is totally different and it was woven on paper thin cotton fabric, not wool.

[tgn]

Mark, I don't think they are "fake" in the sense of being made to fool collectors. I think they were made for recipients to wear, but probably after the war. With all the interest in early '57 awards, I value these as early produced and part of the history of German awards.

It is odd that after all these years we know so little about this award.

Tom

[Mark Edward C]

Over the years I've seen numerous discussions of the sniper badge here and most of the experts don't seem willing to acknowledge the possibility that some non-mainstream variants may have existed in the war years. I
recently found this cover of an old 1960s collector magazine, showing a variant which is not pictured in reference books. Do any of you have an example similar to this, in your collection and do any of the experts think there is any possibility of this style being original? If it was a repro, it existed quite a long time ago.

I have one that came out of Russia...I'm sure its real but doesn't conform to the "known" standard. It looks alot like your pic...I've only seen one. I got it from Steve Wolfe a long time ago. I'll post pics some time...heavy hand made bullion with black paper backing.

mark

[echoe]

D h

"Der Hakenkreuz" - what a great piece of nostalgia.