Officer's sleeve eagle - how do I know?

[Infanteer]

I picked up this eagle from an antique shop for $10 and thought that it would be useful as a filler, but how do I know for sure that it's not real? I just assumed it was post war but after doing some research I'm still not sure either way. Can someone give me some points?

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...sseagle011.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...sseagle009.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...sseagle007.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...sseagle005.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...sseagle004.JPG

Cheers,

Steve

[Robin Lumsden]

Steve.


I wouldn't be happy with that one.

Compare it with the original below.

[Infanteer]

Thanks for the comments Robin. I'm still not sure how to identify an original... is it the swastika, shape of head, or...??? Problem for me is that all of these seem to be different.

No loss though as I purchased it as a reproduction.

Steve

[Stossgruppe3]

Arm Eagle .....

Awful ! They dont compare, Robin's and the one at the top. Is it yours Robin .... ? David

[Robin Lumsden]

Thanks for the comments Robin. I'm still not sure how to identify an original... is it the swastika, shape of head, or...??? Problem for me is that all of these seem to be different.

No loss though as I purchased it as a reproduction.

Steve

Steve.
Originals have several different types of bullion being used simultaneously and there are usually similarities in the wings, swastika, wreath etc. BUT - you are right that there were variations with these things and no two were exactly the same. The short answer is experience, but it's difficult to put into words. Here's an eagle which once was on one of Karl Wolff's uniforms. You can see that it's again different, but there are similarities in construction and use of the different bullion threads.

[Robin Lumsden]

Awful ! They dont compare, Robin's and the one at the top. Is it yours Robin .... ? David

David.
Yes. Here's the back. This is the only time I've seen the maker's number being PENCILLED on to an RZM label.