Flak88

I keep hoping! THANKS!!! Marc

Robert, Just gorgeous. Very little else needs to be said about that one! Marc

Gents, I am doing a study of the wide-pin "Wernstein" Flak and would really appreciate any pics as these are exceedingly rare. I am most interested in the eagle... Thanks! Marc

Well I might just fly to Scotland (again!) to get that! Marc

It gives me goosebumps! Marc

Well, I am not Dave, but may I start us off? Jim - still my favorite thread on the WAF! Best, Marc

Kurt, You have one advantage over us - you have multiple badges in hand. Hopefully I will be able to look the badge over sometime. If I spot multiples at the SOS then we have a problem, but at this point a closer examination is warranted. I would classify these as "further research needed." Now I do not mean to close the book and I welcome comments from everyone! But I have gone as far as I can with pics. (good ones, by the way - thanks for clear close-ups!). Best, Marc

GREAT study, and great photos! This is something that needs a good look. I have no proof to back up my assertions, let me start off with that. I BELIEVE the E2 was attached much later than WW2. While I agree that attaching the eagle would disturb the hinge/catch, that means we beleive the hinge/catch were attached. I do not. I believe there was a nice stock of wreath/guns laying around that someone got ahold of, but alas he had no eagles. Th E2 is nothing like the E1 , and why would such a minor producer of Flak badges change their die? They would not need to. They could do their whole production run in short order. That said, it is certainly possible that the die had a catostrophic failure and broke. But due to the lack of wear on the eagle I would say it was attached MUCH later. Maybe the wreath was in a crate that was dug up and had worn a bit - who knows. You can attach a hinge/catch later. There are subtle differences in your photos when you look at the wire for example. As for the crease along the edge of the wire, well, any wirecutter will leave such a mark. I think the main issues are: 1) The wear is significantly different on the eagle and wreath 2) Why change eagle dies To refute this idea: 1) This is but one example and more research is needed 2) Die may have broken at some point So we do not have closure, but I think we need to very critically look at these when the potentially most insignificant maker of Flak badges has two completely different patterns. Thanks, great start Kurt! Marc

Awesome piece of history! Marc

Hi everyone! I would really appreciate it if folks would post their unmarked Flak badges, but NOT the ball-hinge types, as we know them. Thanks, Marc

I hate to say this, but I will not seek any of these pieces unless they have provenence like a family link, documentation, or a the ghost of some dead veteran visits me at night.

In case you have not seen it this is interesting: http://www.garlasco.com/page1.jpg http://www.garlasco.com/page2.jpg

Gents, I am in need of Flak badge in wear photos and nice groupings to accompany badges in wear for a reference book on Flak badges. I have had a great response on the badges front, now i need pics!!! Thanks, Marc

Nice! Now go get a Flak badge!

Marshall, THAT will be hardest of all. I have ever only seen one I was comfortable with and I missed it... Marc

Gents, I am working on a major refernce book on Flak badges. I would like to request people that would like to contribute Flak badge photos to contact me via e-mail. I also need photos of Flak badges in wear, award docs/Wehrpass/Soldbuch groups, especially interesting ones. And finally, any period literature on production, etc. that you think would be interesting. Thanks! marc@garlasco.com

I am playing with this one. A real pain to mount these...

Dave, However did you read all the makers? Even with my 10X loupe I was having a devil of a time! Marc

English made piece, tailor made by Sunrie tailors in London (tag inside). It's a bit unusual because it's made of elastique. The 8th AF patch is a "stubby wing" and is theater made. The Captain's bars are also English made pinback. Here is the kicker: It's also named inside to an "R. Thomas" - now THAT should be an easy name to research She is on the way to my house, and I for one am totally stoked! Enjoy, Marc

Thanks - love those very clear period pics! Marc

Here are closeups: