1940 Hungarian EM para wing

[castagain]

Hello all, I recently picked up this wing from a collector who purchased it in Budapest in 1991. I've read about the repros of Hungarian para badges that have come on the market since 1999, so I've been wary of any I've run across, assuming them to be fakes. This one, though, I can't find any flaws -- it matches the design of the original EM para badge in stamped brass that appeared in the Hungarian Army gazette in February 1940. The wing is slightly curved in shape, to prevent the wingtips from snagging on a uniform. The attachment flanges on the reverse are two separate pieces of thin brass, soldered on (repros tend to have a single piece of metal, folded over); and the flanges show evidence of having been used on a uniform, with a patina of rust where the finish was worn off at the bends. If it's a repro, someone went to an extraordinary amount of trouble. Any expert opinions on this badge would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Donovan (castagain)

[eindecker2]

Hello - this is what is refered to as the "prototype" badge of the Hungarian Paratroopers and is not the officialy awarded piece.

From examining the ones at the Military Museum in Budapest this one does not exhibit the same charcteristics as known originals. I will have to get home and post the known original for comparison.

The Budapest Coin Club was known and is still known as a great place to find originals, but it is also a place to find a slew of fakes. There was already a large contingent of reproductions of Horhty era items even before the fall of the Berlin Wall - so simply buying this in 1991 holds little credibility for originality.

[eindecker2]

Prototype front and reverse - not the details are different in many ways

[hunmilitaria]

Hi,

Not easy to say because this is the proto type so, it can be a little difference!
But more easier say good or not for the normal Cink/Nikel one.

There is a very poor proto type it's made from iron.

[hunmilitaria]

Picture from the Dr. Tóth László uniforms 1926-1945 book.

[castagain]

Thanks for the responses -- one of the reasons I like this forum is the access it provides to your expertise. The original pictures were poor, I've reshot them for better detail. Here's the front view; reverse view to follow. Regards, castagain

[castagain]

Reverse view of badge. Regards, castagain

[eindecker2]

I still dont like this one - it has the "laughing toothless" skull - this was a form found easily on the Master Para Wings that are copied heavily. Due to the fact that it is the "prototype" badge there is too much speculation as to what is original. I have seen so many of them with differnt forms its hard to say, however - I know the one that I have posted came from the Hungarian State Mint and it did not see the light of day in 1989 - but many decades before that... therefore I use this form as a recognized original struck by the state mint during the war.

[hunmilitaria]

Yes, know I see the "laughing toothless" and wright this is usualy for the copies Master Para badges!!!
I will see some original ones what is in an old collections!

I still dont like this one - it has the "laughing toothless" skull - this was a form found easily on the Master Para Wings that are copied heavily. Due to the fact that it is the "prototype" badge there is too much speculation as to what is original. I have seen so many of them with differnt forms its hard to say, however - I know the one that I have posted came from the Hungarian State Mint and it did not see the light of day in 1989 - but many decades before that... therefore I use this form as a recognized original struck by the state mint during the war.