SS evening dress Broach

[SScollector]

Of course it is fake! I think it is time that we have a quick review of some of the better cast aluminum fake items that we now see, (besides the badges). Some of these fakes are even better than the new tux badges, IMO. These fakes all have a beautiful appearance at first glance.
However, when you look a bit closer, the red flags just start popping out everywhere and finally it no longer will have a good appearance, but instead, it looks like a flawed mess. Still, one has to admit that these are all good replicas. It would be very interesting to know how they have managed to solve the problem of shrinkage. Cast fakes can now be made without a change in size from the mold and they have the correct measurements, (mostly seen on the new fake SS buckles). I rarely ever cared about measurements or weight myself, because I always have relied only on the details and I do not trust anything else. That is why I think that doing all of those metal composition tests is probably a waste of time.
Also, the originals can vary slightly anyway.

So, here are some good examples:

Chris

[SScollector]

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[SScollector]

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[SScollector]

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[Thorsten B.]

Criminals surely count on human weaknesses to screw collectors over.

That´s why they are not called collectors - just CRIMINALS.

[N.C. Wyeth]

Some of these fakes are even better than the new tux badges, IMO. These fakes all have a beautiful appearance at first glance.

It would be very interesting to know how they have managed to solve the problem of shrinkage. Cast fakes can now be made without a change in size from the mold and they have the correct measurements, (mostly seen on the new fake SS buckles).

Also, the originals can vary slightly anyway.

Interesting . . . some very good investigative work here - very informative. Thanks - please keep up the good work! Was never really interested in these badges (way too expensive [for what they really are], even many years ago . . .) , but this part of the commentary to date changes a lot for me . . . Looking forward to seeing more commentary from you, SScollector!

[Naval Enigma]

This whole debacle can only be attributed to stupid , greedy, naive collectors. Hence they were taken en masse to the land of the experts(mugs).

I'm not sure how wanting to acquire one of the rarest metal artifacts in collecting is a sin.

My understanding is some advanced collectors/dealers fell for this new round of fakes. It is hard to gather the necessary knowledge of these if their rarity precludes extended study, combine that with the lack of detailed images to compare.

As far as greedy, if a new hoard is discovered, the retail price slides lower. That is market law. A real tux badge just sold for less than what Kai was asking.

It's hard to do your homework when there is no textbook.

[John Pic]

"Advanced collector"= those with enough money to buy the really expensive items....not necessarily knowledge, that has always been what that term means.

That said my apologies to SS collector he is in fact an advanced collector...advanced in knowledge, he has taken the time to do a detailed investigation of all these metal objects..he did not rush in an buy one as soon as a dealer revealed he had found a hoard..and he is doing a great service here. These items have gone so far beyond just collecting them would be a headache..I saw one of the fake SS buckles on the estand and thought the guy might be making a mistake and is selling a real one cheap..because I haven't kept up with the fake trends on them...I'll stick to cloth items.

[maestro]

very nice Chris

[Matthäus Klein]

This whole debacle can only be attributed to stupid , greedy, naive collectors. Hence they were taken en masse to the land of the experts(mugs).

last year wittmann was selling SS marked TK.. it was looked upon as a mistake.. people of his caliber, including Kai, are trusted in the collecting community. such that even Chris just glanced over kai's alum tux clasp posted for sale on his website, long before Kai broke out with the tux badge hoard at the SOS show; it sure looked legit for a lot of us. in fact, anything over $1K is no chump change...

buyers are always faced with some uncertainty... sellers like Bob at Germania International, Charles Warriner, and Snyder's Treasures, etc.. are just some of experienced collectors that sell junk in the midst of authentic pieces.

[Matthäus Klein]

I'm not sure how wanting to acquire one of the rarest metal artifacts in collecting is a sin.

My understanding is some advanced collectors/dealers fell for this new round of fakes. It is hard to gather the necessary knowledge of these if their rarity precludes extended study, combine that with the lack of detailed images to compare.

As far as greedy, if a new hoard is discovered, the retail price slides lower. That is market law. A real tux badge just sold for less than what Kai was asking.

It's hard to do your homework when there is no textbook.

amen

[Matthäus Klein]

here's a nice fake for $10.95

i doubt if the "greedy" collector will rush to get one

[Matthäus Klein]

some nice aluminum originals with tombac pins

[SScollector]

Thanks for the kinds words. I can only hope that I have been some help to the community and that some of the new collectors who do wish to pursue further study of these items can now have a better point in which to start.

John Pic, have you seen any more of those repro SS officer's buckles for sale anywhere? I am in desperate need of one that is similar to the one that I just posted. Can't believe I missed the one on the e-stand. Anyway, I would like to have one to study further.

Thanks! Chris

[John Pic]

There were actually two recently on the estand that could have fooled me and RZM marked one and one with the making from a company that usually made them in zinc but this one was aluminum. I do not know where these are coming from.