Early SS skull cap for review

[Barrymac]

Hi all,
Could i please have your opinions on the following? Washed tombac I hope. Both pins are present.

Is mise
Barry

[sgstandard]

Traditions Skull

IMO, an original badge.....
There were so many manufacturers and variations of these early skulls, it's difficult to compare with known originals, like you can on the later skulls.
I usually concentrate on the prongs, and I get nervous if they're not brass.
These badges were press-stamped, so take a loop and examine all along the edges.....there should very tiny, vertical lines from where the press was removed from the badge after stamping.
Prediction: Within 5 minutes, my friend Funia will be here, telling us that it's fake.
LOL!
Hi, Funia - Happy New Year!
PS: Although many of these different variations of traditional badges were worn by the SS, and would be appropriate for an early SS cap, they're just as likely to have been worn by a German cavalry or regimental unit.
The traditional skull made by Steinhauer & Luck (St.&L.) is the only one I've ever seen that is SPECIFICALLY made for SS, as it was RZM-marked......

[Barrymac]

Hi sgstandard,
Many thanks for your post. I look forward to Funias post as well. You never know and he might agree with you

[J. M. C.]

Nice original skull with lower mounted prongs.

[Barrymac]

Thanks a million JMC

[Funia]

Prediction: Within 5 minutes, my friend Funia will be here, telling us that it's fake.
LOL!
Hi, Funia - Happy New Year![/QUOTE]

Sorry for delay time in my answer.(more than 5 minutes)
IMO skull is cast made and not orginal.
P.S Hi,Sgstandart and also Happy New Year wishes for you.
Peter

[sgstandard]

Skull

What in the hell took you so long........?
But let's get down to brass tacks.......
1. Items need to be held in-hand for the best analysis.
2. Funia MAY be correct........I admit these are a tough call....especially just from pics.
3. It's best to zoom to lower magnification because large pics can be deceiving.
4. Check for those "press release marks, and you can actuallu SEE where the stamp was removed. They're all around the edges. Look...and get back with us.
5. I just never saw the market for early skulls enough to warrant making them. Of course, they DO exist.......
Let us know about those release marks.

[sgstandard]

Skull

What in the hell took you so long........?
But let's get down to brass tacks.......
1. Items need to be held in-hand for the best analysis.
2. Funia MAY be correct or not........I admit these are a tough call....especially just from pics.
3. It's best to zoom to lower magnification because large pics can be deceiving.
It also gives the impression the badge is thicker than it really is. stamped-out metal is usually quite thin....unlike most "cast" pieces.
4. Check for those "press release marks, and you can actually SEE where the stamp was removed. They're all around the edges. Look...and get back with us.
5. I just never saw the market for early skulls enough to warrant making fakes. Of course, they DO exist.......
Let us know about those release marks.

[Barrymac]

Many thanks lads. I will check them out closer when I receive them from the dealer. Hopefully all will be good with it. It is a lovely clean skull and will look well in my collection

I remain forever the collector optimist

Is mise
Barry

[sgstandard]

Skull

OOPS!.....This is one case where high-magnification actually helps!
Look at the top photo - bottom of jaw......see those vertical lines?
IMO, those are press "release" marks from where the heavy press was removed from the stamped badge.
If you zoomed down to 16% (close to actual size)........you can't even see them.
Another thing to look for, besides the correct type prongs.....is the plating.
On even worn badges, usually there is a hint of the original plating - many of these badges had what appears to be a tin-type plating that's shiny...
I still believe the badge is original.

[Funia]

[QUOTE=sgstandard;8036815]What in the hell took you so long........?

I appologize about my very slow answer.
Genneraly I am a wet quick boy diving so deep for coin
If high-magnification actually helps pls look at the teeth.
They need serious dental work.

Peter

[Funia]

Pls compare teeth to this for sure TOMBAC one posted below.

[sgstandard]

Skull

I agree with you on the teeth.......I never like the teeth that bulge out like this, but remember.....there were MANY different manufacturers..........
However.....you were basing your assessment on the fact that it was cast.
The release marks prove it was "stamped", not cast.
If it were cast, there would be no such marks.
Regardless..............Happy New Year to Funia....and ALL!

[Barrymac]

Here is a better picture of the pull marks or drag marks from pressing

[Funia]

Would you pls post pics of front witch the focus on teeth?
Thanks.
Peter