Worn 52 skull

[RobertE]

When compared to a nicely finished specimen in excellent condition, the subject skull does look like it is lacking detail.

However, a comparison with one that has lost it's finish and has some wear might be better.

Here's one I owned that does not have as much wear as the one under discussion, but note the tone of the metal and other details.

regards, Robert

regards, Robert

[Giel VW]

Hi guys

Thanks for the extra opinions. I already owned a 52 skull in mint condition which had much more details than this one, that's the reason why I posted it.

How ever I'm sure this is not a cast. The material on the head you see there is bent over tombak.

[Totenhead]

I think someone just left it too long on a buffing wheel. The features don't look omitted (to me), but rather worn down from polish.

Lots of original pieces were "cleaned" by owners and their kids. I think his may be one of them.

regards, Robert

I am far from an expert on these, but ive studied this and thats how i see it, i dont think its cast

[90th Light]

Looks like an original example that has been worn on a biker jacket for 20+ years since the end WW2. I have seen them on bikie jackets in that condition.

You would be amazed how fast brass can wear down when it is being rub/ worn every day.

I have also seen polished brass British cap badges and brass door keys worn down like that,

Chris

[SScollector]

Here is one of mine that is more worn. Note the fine teeth.

Chris

[Stossgruppe3]

I too am not an expert on skulls either far from it.
But I have studied these three items and can see that the last two shown are very alike where as the first one isnt.
For me the first one is an old fake
Regards
David

[cris403]

Here is a well worn 52 original skull from my collection, notice even though it's fairly well worn the teeth are still detailed.

IMO O/P skull is not good.

[RobertE]

I think we are ignoring the amount of wear on the skull that started the discussion. Look at the one I posted - like the starting skull, the eyebrow ridge is actually flattened with wear. There is NO finish remaining on either specimen, unlike the one (nice) example just posted by Chris.

I collect pre-1945 brass USMC eagle, globe and anchor collar and cap insignia. In the hundreds of specimens in my collection, I can tell you that standard insignia produced from the same die can be distorted significantly from wear, to the point where they appear to be a variant.

I could be wrong, of course. But the skull starting the discussion shows every sign of being worn heavily, and no signs of having been cast IMO.

regards, Robert

[PHILBROWN]

im not an ss tk collector, but know a one looker when i see it, this in my opinion is indeed a worn original tk, look at the one on ebay,

[Erik]

I am no skull collector either but what kind of wear are we talking about? Does a skull on a cap, let's assume on peaked visor cap, has such a rough life that it rubs day in day out until its features get weak? How many years was it worn? I really don't know. Intriguing.

Erik

[Winkelman]

I am no skull collector either but what kind of wear are we talking about? Does a skull on a cap, let's assume on peaked visor cap, has such a rough life that it rubs day in day out until its features get weak? How many years was it worn? I really don't know. Intriguing.

Erik

Such hard wear could be caused by postwar wear on e.g. a wallet .
But then , wouldn't these sharp ridges underneath the eyes ( which IMHO shouldn't be there in the first place ! ) be worn off too , when there's so little left of teeth & sutures .. ?

[Stossgruppe3]

Another thing that I feel isn't right .... Look at the back teeth area ....
This is also completely different from the others shown or is this just me seeing things ?
I still dont think this skull is correct ....
Regards
David

[pzb14]

I would not like the skull posted in thread #1.

There are just to many red flags which are looking for an excuse....

[Robert H]

no go #1