Bubba_Z

Hi, such dissection of the zinc on the edges most likely occurred as a result of stamping with a trimming die.

Very nice tombak RK minesweeper badge, attributed to Rudolf Karneth, Gablonz.

Hi, Both are postwar badges. The badge with a snake is for a military doctor. My father who graduated from Military Medical Academy in Łódź in early '70 had exactly the same badge. Cheers, Hubert

Hi, This is known reproduction od 1st Cadre Company commemorative badge from 60'-70'. Original examples of this badge are extremely rare since only around 150-160 pieces were officialy presented to members of the company. The badge was instituted on 27th May 1924 by Ministry of Military Affairs Władysław Sikorski to commemorate members of the 1st Cadre Company that was formed in 1914 and was a seed of Polish Legions which fought for the independance during WW1. The badge was accompanied with a citation document. I enclose an example of the original badge, citation document and another example of the same reproduction as yours. These particular high quality repros from 60'-70' are selling in Poland for 20-50 eur, while a price of original badge could be around 3500 eur. Cheers, Hubert

I agree, classic early tombak Schwerin u-boat badge, very nice! Cheers, Hubert

Hi, These 3 little buggers were attatched to the KM cap (remnants of it) and in exactly the same pit, together with remnants of the uniform, the u-boat badge and U-boat clasp were found hence I assume that the cap also belonged to the u-boat crewman. I do not think these tiny badges stand for any specyfic u-boat or flotilla but the fact is these were attached to the cap for some reason. Cheers, Hubert I did a research and the left one stands for the code of arms of the city of Brest and the one in the middle for the city of La Rochelle. A bristling cat is very common motif used by u-boat crews. Cheers, Hubert

Great thread Gents! Here are three ground dug cap emblems that my brother found with metal detector in former KM naval base in Swinoujscie (Swunemunde). All three were attached to the same cap (or to what was left of it). In the same pit he also found zinc unmarked u-boat badge (Meybauer) and zinc Schwerin u-boat clasp. Sorry for bad images. I may ask him to take better pictures if needed. Cheers, Hubert

Here are some of my Junckers. Cheers, Hubert

If there is a catch plate under the catch then it could be post war (or less likely late war) Rettenmeier. But after closer look I cannot see one. Also base material does not look like zinc and details are soft. It is a fake unfortunately. U-boat mark looks funny. Cheers, Hubert

Hi Windu, Could you please provide a side view of the catch? It uses Meybauer-like obverse design, the most common design among u-boat makers. It can be late war or postwar Rettenmaier or a fake. Cannot say from these bad images. Cheers, Hubert

Hi Matthew, Could you please provide more infomation about this kind of badge? How do you know that this is a Kriegsmarine honor pin given out for merit in the field of military support? Another badge of this type is being offered by Weitze at the moment. Thanks in advance! Best regards, Hubert

Very nice F&B zincer. It is hard to find a marked one. I have four different F&B minesweepers but all are unmarked. Cheers, Hubert

Hi, The Kleinkampfverbände clasp with Juncker maker's mark is quite common modern cast fake, so is the case. As John has already said there is only one example known that is thought to be an original sample piece and it comes from the designer of this clasp. It is the one posted by John. I enclose another image of the same sample piece. It was sold by several prominent dealers over the years. Last time it was offered by Lothar Hartung for 7800 eur in 2004.There is no evidence that any of these were manufactured before the end of the war. Cheers, Hubert

try here: http://www.theregaliaspecialist.com/Third_Reich_Germany/Re-enactment_Combat_Awards

Also agree, doubtless fake. Cheers, Hubert

Here is FLL CAB with probably the same variant catch. And here is mine with more common type of hinge and round wire catch. Cheers, Hubert

Hi Jason, IMO this is fine original with just sloppy soldering of the catch. Cheers, Hubert

Hi, This is very well known fake also known as the 'puffy eye' fake. It comes with different hardware setups and maker's marks, sometimes unmarked. Berg & Nolte never made any KM award. Cheers, Hubert Hubert 'puffy eye' fake

It's a fake unfortunately... Cheers, Hubert

Agreed, a "Popeye" fake. Cheers, Hubert

Hi Horst, Stunning example of AS zincer! Very, very nice, thanks for showing. Cheers, Hubert

Hi, No red flags here. Textbook tombak Juncker AC badge in nice condition. Great catch! Cheers, Hubert

Both amazing B.H. Mayer badges! Very nice and very hard to find. Cheers, Hubert

Hi, The clasp looks like very nice type 1 clasp - with hand made internal cutouts. Cheers, Hubert

Hi Dennis, After seeing reverse shots I agree with John that this is original U-boat clasp in silver. Pity about the damage. Cheers, Hubert