Stogieman

Rick! Technology progresses at the Research Institute! Congratulations!

I was wondering if you'd remember your SBM Bob!

Hi Mike, if it mated properly to the wreath I'd feel better about it. These have only been seen the last few months. Not a warm feeling from that. The other thing about these that really gave me pause is the 'spider-web" type patina, most often found on (really bad) 1970's forward repro silver badges. I see that web of patina and I usually run away very fast. Even 'silvered" steel will not age/accrue patina in a web pattern.

Well, the only problem with these is that yes, the style/material & workmanship is consistent with 1957 forward manufacturing... the problem becomes how far past '57 were they made. Currently, there's a "Model '57" decoration for almost all Imperial Prussian pieces. They are marked and sold as such, but IMO, they were made like last year....

Hi Jens, I agree with Bob. There's just something about solo NC EK2's that is really appealing. I've even had it as a frack, if you can imagine a "solo" frack!

Hi Mike, this one's not mine. I "liberated" the photo for sake of discussion. There's many things I like about the badge, but as I keep coming back, I notice things I don't care for at all, like the shape of the Death's head on the nose of this tank......

Hi Mike, I ditched my Chalif Years back. At the point where I came to understand that the bulk of the badges I was interested in and were portrayed in the book were reproductions, it no longer was of any use to me. Now, having said that, is there valuable, usable stuff in there? Absolutely. Is there some illustrations and details not found elsewhere? Again, yes. But there were also a substantial number of badges that were bogus. At the point where I found myself having people cite it back to me as "iron-clad" proof of authenticity on badges that were bad...... well, not much use then/there to me. So, do I regret selling it. Yes. But that has not stopped me from moving beyond its' scope.

Fabulous....... I think Bob has its' little brother!

As a point of reference. here's a stamped Bavarian Pilot from Liverpool Medals and I am much more confident in the authenticity of this piece over yours. But not 100% or I would have bought it already ;>). The stamped badges do not command anything even close to their silver private-purchase counterparts. However, prices have been spiraling upwards...

Hi Mike, I believe this one is most likely scenario #2, I have seen 3 of these in the last 3 months. All for sale in Germany. All with this very odd crown that does not match/meet the wreath. Not real IMO. I have not ever seen any variation on any flight badge I was confident was awarded and/or made prior to 1925 that was constructed like this. It's not the pierced crown, I've seen stamped ones with these cutouts and most likely a metter of personal taste. They were not issued like this. I cannot imagine any situation where this type of manufacturing process would have done anything at the maker's level other than add increased costs in material and labor with no appreciable gain in saleability. It simply makes no sense.

I am always lothe to broach this subject. This badge is like the Aerial Gunner badge. There's plenty available for anyonw who wants to buy one. I have seen exactly 2 that I liked. This isn't one of the two..... but there's an awful lot about it that I like so I toss it out there for friendly debate! What do you think??

Well, a pretty good idea, but all of the information really needs to be given/taken in the context of the different forums. It's all the details about everything else with the orders (etc.) (IE: appropriate for rank, unit, country, etc., etc.) that when cobbled together help to critically ascertain authenticity.

Hi Joe, third ribbon is Bavarian Military Merit (Cross or Order).. probably a cross for 1914. This is an officer bar, but your unit I think would not have this combination. We must patiently await the appearance of the "Divine & (Truly) Most Evil Twin" to appear and tell us what would be probable.

Too bad you didn't know a bit more about your man.... something like this would look spiffy, but probably incorrect for the man/unit.

Concur on the LS Schnalle. Worn below the bar and occasionally pinned to the bar, or even as an enameled dangly from the bar.

Thank you gentlemen for clearing that up... Andreas' post this AM had me wondering. Rick the moustache looks hauntingly familiar....

Great subject, great information Stijn. Awesome slice of history Chris!

Nice grouping Chris. Especially the document to lend credence!

Nice finds Chris... I never find anything this neat when we go away, but I still enjoy checking every place we go!

Greetings Mike! The only stamped Imperial Flight badges with multi-parts that I have seen are as follows: Observer badge with applied "flag" (Both Prussian/Bavarian) Aerial Gunner Badge with multi-part construction-Prussia (In theory, Bavarian is too, but I have never seen one I was confident was real) No multi-part Pilots that I have ever seen. Both prussian/Bavarian were one-piece stampings.

Greetings WildCard! Thanks for that little detail, I did not realize there were that many variations!!

Unfortunately, the scan of the reverse is a corrupted file that I have not figured out how to fix yet. HD Crashes are terrible things

To compare, here's a 50 Year disc on a PCO3

My apologies Peter! I thought you meant the 4.kl. disc was bad, The fakes on the top grades/oaks I readily/heartily agree are bad.... I should have been clearer. I have not ever seen a bogus disc on a 3. or 4. Klasse Prussian Order of the Crown. Have not seen a fake disc in silver for the Red Eagle 4. Klasse, nor one with the Allgemeine Ehrenzeichen of either class. These "lower grade" orders with long service discs have been neglected by the fakers thus far. Sadly, as with all things these days, the spiraling upward prices (I can only recall about 6 times last 2 or 3 years a lower grade like this has been offered in any venue) will attract their attention in very short order....

The eBay cross is one of the earlier pieces IMO, that used many "leftover" 1870 cases.... These earlier cases are usually slightly domed, deeper real velvet insert, gold EK on the lid and "nail-head" opener. The earlier production for WW1 followed the exact same design, but held a different style (non-domed) lid. These are beautiful pieces....