KM eagle, some help please?

[Stefan.S]

I dont know anything about these, got it ia a trade! Real or fake?

[GAMS1]

Repro for sure ! Well known ...
Nick

[Tom Yanacek]

I agree with Nick. Not original.

Best regards,
Tom

[Norm F]

I agree it's a post-war reproduction, but it's also worth pointing out that the catch is like that seen on the "A" marked '57 Glider badge (here's Mike Yokum's example). Although Assmann made '57 awards, I'm not aware of any link of Assmann to swastika bearing products post-war.

[Norm F]

just uploading Stefan's 3rd image for posterity.

[Stefan.S]

ok...and this?

[Stefan.S]

[Jean-Claude]

Hi Stefan

For your KM eagle, I agree with Nick, Tom and Norm: well known Assmann (A marked) repro that comes with a variety of hardwares in different stamping/finish quality and currently available from repro dealers like Reddick in the USA for about $20.00 and other sites for as low as $10.00 (cheaper strike with cheaper finish/hardware) apparently made in Great Britain. Interesting to note that yours does does look like an original 2nd pattern Assmann bird (from the front) which exists in hollow stamped (tombac?), solid zink and semi hollow cloth mounted aluminum versions. I dont have a hollow stamped version to share but I have attached a front picture of the solid back zink and cloth mounted aluminum versions of the 2nd pattern "A"birds in gold and a back picture the original 2nd type solid back specimen in gold with a silver repro of the same design as yours I got for "educational purposes"; note the different hardware between the original and both copies

Unfortunatly I would say your Luftwaffe bird is a repro that comes from the same source as your KM bird . An aluminum version of this exact same bird you show can be found with a more credible built in hinge and crimped catch also exists but some collectors (including myself) dont like them while others do. Assmann did produced a 2nd pattern luftwaffe bird but it uses a different design/die and can be found either in solid aluminum ("A" DRGM marked) , semi hollow cupal and semi hollow zink both of the latter types with the "A" mark

Hope this helps

JC

[Stefan.S]

Thanks for the info...... bit disapointed but that is collectors batlle field...you never know wher you will step!

For end...what is the price of original KM and LF eagles like the one in photos?

[Jean-Claude]

Thanks for the info...... bit disapointed but that is collectors batlle field...you never know wher you will step!

For end...what is the price of original KM and LF eagles like the one in photos?

These days you have to be careful with everything dealing with the hobby and do your homework before you buy because the price of an item is certainly no guarantee of authenticity. You still see"A" marked aluminum luftwaffe eagles with the leg cut out in gold or silver selling for as much as $500. (gold version) yet mostly everyone agrees they are as fake as a $3.00 bill! Still, they sell anyway...Thats why you should ask before you buy because there are knowledgeble people here that will be happy to help.

Very hard to set prices for these as there are many maker/design variations executed in various metals (tombac/brass, cupal, aluminum, alloys and zink/pt metal) and different condition and prices vary greatly. Based on what I have seen (but you should do your own research) the more desirable gold KM/Heer eagles can go for as high as 300 euros (or more) and the lower quality or condition silver specimens in the 70/80 euro range. True gold Luftwaffe birds are very rare and expensive but 1st pattern (droop tail) Luftwaffe silver birds can still be found in the 300/400 euro range if you are lucky. An original specimens of the more common second pattern (like yours) Luft in aluminum or cupal hovers between 130 and 150 euros.

Cheers

JC