25 Year SS Long Service Award on e-stand

[Freiwilliger]

Hi!

It`s original?

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=375013

Thanks!

[Military]

im not an expert, but the award does look crisp to me if you compare it with the 4 and 8 year awards also up on e-stand. its tempting, but i'll give the 25 year a miss. perhaps other collectors with this example can advice you further.

[clevischi]

Yep, its an original. But hard to see about if its a gold or a silver grade medal.

[Gary Symonds]

It is an original cross. It has the "tear drop loop", and a ridged ring and a "soft" wreath. For $400, a good buy.

[Chris_Werner]

It's an original. It also has the original attribute of a bevelled suspension eye that my crappy photo skills cannot capture.

It's also a 25 year, as you can see remnants of the gold plating in the recesses. The Nebraska vet who had it REALLY enjoyed polishing it apparently.

And yes, I put a very fair price on it as I bought it from a collector friend who gave me a great deal.

He has a RODO W-SS belt buckle I have been trying to pry out of him with the name of the former owner "Werner" scratched into the back. I want it for obvious reasons, but no luck so far.

[Peter J.]

Chris, my question got lost in this thread, do you mind an elaboration?

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=375037

cheers
Peter

[cysior]

Does not look to me orginal . Better pictures could help. I can't even see pebbling

[Chris_Werner]

Here is a mint original. you will note that the one I sold is just like it except for the gold finish.

[cysior]

..and except for quality... yes, I had original in my hands and that's why I have my doubts..

[Chris_Werner]

http://www.ww2awards.com/award.asp?id=18

Here is the link to the photo of the original I posted.

[Military]

its sold!

[Peter J.]

Chris, thanks for that confirmation. I've never had the opportunity to study this extremely scarce decoration in the flesh, so my views will be based on the available info in books and forums like this.

The images you've posted are not good enough to establish if there is any pebbling to the surface. This cross was never awarded, hence it would be far fetched to think an inferior gold colour (wash) was used instead of the gold plating with polished highlights. I've never heard of such a cross and I'm surpriced how easily your cross is accepted as real, based on the photos you've presented. It might be perfectly good, but without further elaboration from the skilled individuals we have here I'm still not convinced.

cheers
Peter

[Chris_Werner]

Actually, I believe it is a it is a matt gold fire gilding with polished highlights. Fire gilding is a different process than "plating." As far as "pebbling", I'm not sure what you mean. The 4 year award has pebbling such as I invision you are describing, but the 12 and 25 do not.

Actually, yes this Award was actually awarded. There are quite a few of this medal in collections like original RKs, but like RKs, they are scarce and the ones in good condition command high prices. The SS used a system of seniority and years of service in the SA to deem an individual a "25 year man." If you go by mere chronology, not even Himmler or Sepp Deitrich would have qualified for this award.

As far as this one goes, it has been examined in hand by several advanced collectors, who pointed out it's original attributes, and what to look for in repros that is different than this original I sold.

I'm sorry I can't convince you, but I guess it's a moot point as you didn't buy it. Ultimately, the buyer must decide if he likes it and wants it in his collection. I guarantee it as original, and I am more than happy to give the buyer a full refund if he doubts it's originality.

I appreciate your high level of knowledge and experience in handling a piece such as this one. If you have any solid evidence, other than your not being convinced, on a badge you admittedly have never handled, please enlighten me.

[Chris_Werner]

Peter:

Check out this previous thread. there is some good information that will be of help.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...+25+year+award

Chris

[Matthew]

25 ss

sorry to butt in guys, just trying to learn here...Chris, you mentioned that the 25 SS medal was actually awarded- care to expand on that? I did a quick search but came up empty handed. Also in the link you posted, and the ones that I had a chance to hold in my hand- it seems that the medal does have pebbling on the swastika arms but again you mentioned the originals do not so that kinda makes it confusing (at least for me)
Thanks in advance
cheers
Matt