U-999 cap badge for review (Rüm Hart shark)

[Martygraw]

I bought this U-boat cap badge several years ago from a dealer I trust. As you can see, it's crudely made of very thin aluminum (I assume) and has a great patina. It's a little over two inches in length.

U-999 was commissioned on Oct. 21, 1943, and scuttled on May 5, 1945.

Real or fake?

[Martygraw]

More photos...

[Martygraw]

Last pic...

Thoughts?

[JustinG]

These tradition badges are one of the most dangerous items in the collecting realm. As many were manufactured rather crudely in a metal shop. Without really strong provenance, these are always going to be suspect to being a post war created piece. If you believe the story and the seller and you are happy with the piece; then great. If you bought this and think that you will be able to turn around at a future point to sell it for what you purchased it for or even make a profit, I'm afraid you will be disappointed.

Best Regards,
JustinG

[Martygraw]

Yeah, pretty much my thought. I'm happy with the piece. I'm hoping someone has one of these with provenance for comparison.

[ebj]

A dealer at the SOS a few years had several he said "came from a vet who had put together a collection of them from WW2." I was new to the SOS and I bought a couple of them and a couple SS tabs from him. Later I found he was one of the most notorious scammers in the "hobby"! Needless to say I have always had questions in my mind about them and the tabs. As was said, they were crude and therefore easy to fake, not to say yours isn't a good one.