Gentlemen, I am sitting on the fence with the badge and humbly request your opinions. After scouring the forum site, opinions of authentic death's heads with .800 silver markings seem to be thumbs down with exception to this remark by Bob Hritz in 2004, "In 40 years, I have seen 3 original 800 maked skulls and 4 original 800 marked eagles, all on visor hats. I have never seen any loose originals for sale. I have seen, and gotten stung by, copies of SS hat insignia marked 800." First, this item has been sealed in zip-lock for years and the more I handle it the brighter it gets. The obverse scan has distorted the colour on the anatomically left hollow between the upper cheek and jaw bone. It, as well as under the right eye socket lend and orangish almost copper hew. My eyeballs and 10x loop say otherwise. If you look closely directly under the chin is a slight stamp "800."
The two scans have been made at 900 d.p.i. and 1000 pixels wide. Any of you are welcome to disect real up close if like.
The reverse side exhibits some anomiles I wish to point out. There is darkening at the base of the attachment pins, then do not seem tarnished whatsoever. They are non-magnetic as is the entire piece, which is a given. However, At the base where the pins were soldered, is quite copperish coloured on both sides. Above the right eyeball socket I discovered what I thought could be a wear through spot of tombak. With my loop I believe it to be slag from soldering the pins.
Now, for a little helpful history. This TK was accompanied by an Italian top cap piece, also stamped .800 and displays remarkable crispness.
Photos will follow after I post this for your kind evaluation. The Italian top piece to follow.
Many thanks,
Dan <!-- attachments -->
The two scans have been made at 900 d.p.i. and 1000 pixels wide. Any of you are welcome to disect real up close if like.
The reverse side exhibits some anomiles I wish to point out. There is darkening at the base of the attachment pins, then do not seem tarnished whatsoever. They are non-magnetic as is the entire piece, which is a given. However, At the base where the pins were soldered, is quite copperish coloured on both sides. Above the right eyeball socket I discovered what I thought could be a wear through spot of tombak. With my loop I believe it to be slag from soldering the pins.
Now, for a little helpful history. This TK was accompanied by an Italian top cap piece, also stamped .800 and displays remarkable crispness.
Photos will follow after I post this for your kind evaluation. The Italian top piece to follow.
Many thanks,
Dan <!-- attachments -->
,Eagle looks a little iffy to me ... but they are not my field 
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