What's your newest militaria III

Battle hardened GAB enroute from Europe, Rudi Karneth, repaired ball hinge. nice frontal details head pebbling, note the talons - sharp. so many of the silver GABs have lost the face of the eagle, the feet and even portions of the swastika, let alone the acorns and show no pebbling



back ~

 

Good catch Erich, another goodie in your collection, I like the sharp details.

 

it's not minty Skip but the details are grand. keep an eye out on that Küstrin thread I started just received some info from Germany that may be of interest. the huge Soviet armor/Stug land battle at Zellin got the right spelling was just 13 miles N.W. of Küstrin.

 

The number is part of the NATO Stock Number (NSN) for a Gas mask container 8415-12-121-8965 (if my translator is working correctly) Контейнер металлич. под противогаз (Metal container. under the mask) FE NM BW 70/329. The Country identifier code (the 2 digit part) is for equipment originally registered by Germany so I would assume Bundeswehr.

 

Hello Skipper,

I am sorry to tell you my friend, but this badge is a cast fake. There are 3 big things that are going wrong here...they are as follows:

1) First and foremost...you can use deduction to solve this badge right out of the gate. This badge has a 'catch plate' on the reverse (meaning that the catch has a 'foot' and is not actually mounted to the actual badge). The only examples that bore a catch plate were zinc examples (I bet if you weighed yours it is heavier than a zinc example) next we will look at the maker of the badge. Your badge has no maker...so we look at who manufactured this badge in zinc with no maker mark and we have two makers...Paul Meybauer & Forester & Barth. Your badge does not have one characteristic of either badge. It is possible that it is an unmarked example of another manufacture...but I can not find it in my archives.

2) Your badge has only 6 'port-holes' in the 3rd row on the badges obverse. It should be (from top to bottom) 9 windows, 8 windows, 7 windows, 6 windows.

3) You can see so much casting evidence on the badge. It looks like they tried to make it look like it had water damage...but it is casting marks sure as God made little green apples.

Hopefully you didn't pay too much for this one Skipper.

All the best,
RR

 

Damn .... a world of fakes .

 

Uuuurrghh...commiserations, Skipper.

I think the Forum should publish a book called the 'RRCollector Guide To Fakes' and maybe we could all retire on the profits....

 

yeah, rub it in guys , I hate those situations. It really looked good and even after many years I happened to get fooled.
What bothered me in fact was the lack of maker number, but especiallythe fact that the triangle right of the chimney is palin on many other models.

 

Well. this year I've had to throw a couple of things in the dustbin after they've been 'exposed'. Luckily, neither cost much money but even so, you do feel !

 

Gentelman,

Here is what an original zinc Blockade Breaker's Badge should look like. Note the port-holes, lack of pitting and correct catch plate.

RR

View attachment 15268

 

Thanks for the expertise, learning everyday here.

 

ive had a few items that i found out were fakes, but i went ahead and kept them until i can find the real item,lets face it some of the real items are astronomical in price, hehe

 

I got 'stung' a few years ago when I bought a fake bronze D.R.L Sports badge from an unscrupulous dealer at a militaria fair.

It's my own fault for not examining the item more thoroughly before buying it.

 

It happens to all of us gents...it is the nature of the 'beast'. It is how we learn from our mistakes that separates the smart from the foolish. Buying TR era badges is an art form...something that takes training and plenty of practice.

When I first started collecting TR era badges and orden I used to think that every piece that I saw was good...and I would look at the piece and try to find if there was anything wrong with it. Now it is the opposite...I look at every piece as if it is bad until I can convince myself that it is good.

Just my few pfennings worth...
Rich

 

John,

Do you have any pictures of this sportabzeichen?

RR

 

I already have a book out...

 

Unfortunately not, Rich. It went the same place as where Martin's did...in the bin!

I didn't pay a lot for it so it was no great loss.

I now tend to steer clear of awards and badges!

What is the ISBN number of your book?

 

I am just joshin' John!

 

The title is "All German awards are fakes, how to spot yours?"

 

Absolutely ! I feel a sense of relief when I buy another tatty Zeltbahn thinking : At least RRCollector can't destroy my illusions about this one !

Especially the one I have with 'This Zeltbahn belongs to : A Hitler' inked on it.......