A) No, I'm not saying never..... I'm saying I am having a very hard time accepting this thought process. I think even a basic examination of the quality of this shooting award compared to the badge posted by Mike alone should be enough to conclude we are talking about two very different makers. B) Again, no clutzy gap here between crown and wreath. Now, if someone can produce any period illustration of this type/style of badge in wear, I will munch down not only my words, my hat.... but their hat as well. I cannot name even one company that ever made both the Prussian and Bavarian badges. There is one exception. There is currently an unknown, but accepted as period badge maker that made badges that bear a consistent (albeit with slight variation) pin/hinge style that would appear to be unique to this maker. These pins are marked 800 for silver content and the badges are available/have been seen in both clich? (stamped) and 2-piece silver style. An example of this badge is illustrated in Niemann's Bewertungs-Katalog, V.II. The badge has been observed as Prussian Pilot, Prussian Observer, (suspected) Bavarian Pilot. Why suspected? I have not been able to put one in my greedy little paws to confirm the style/maker to my own satisfaction. Time will tell. But I digress, the badge shown by Mike does not conform to any of the known makers nor to any known/accepted style. It does not appear in any known publicized photograph nor in any known archival photo. It does not appear in any work by those who came before us (Chalif, O'Conner, Nimmergut, Niemann). Is it possible, sure, anything's possible. But is it probable...... to me, that's a whole other story.