Avitas

Good info, Mine is made of zinc and I do not think it is cast, the pictures are a little funny. There are no casting lines and the item is pretty light. I saw this exact one with the same pin set-up on Siegmund Stephan's site, also in zinc. I think it is in the Political organizations section if anybody wants to compare. Thanks, Pat

And the back of the mounted ones on the ribbon. Any info on value or history is welcome, as they are hard to find info on. Thanks Pat

Here are some of the maker marks...

Some more...

Hello there, Here are a few samples of my collection of German, Swiss and I think Belgian shooting competitions. I have about 25 more as well I can post later if you want. I really don't know much about these medals, and I'm looking for any info on rarity, history and just who would wear and acquire these badges (army members? civilians?). Some have maker marks on the reverse pins and most of them are mounted on a red, white, blue and black ribbon. Any information on these shooting badges would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Pat

here is the back, nicely rusted..at least it's not repainted.

Hello, Here is my other 1914 ek2 with replacement original ribbon I purchased and the maker mark KO. I've heard KO was one of the bigger companies. This one is in a lot worse shape than my other one, but it has character. I have a couple questions, was this an early one that has possibly seen time on the front, or a late to post-war cross that just has been stored badly. I'm pretty sure it is original, but if anyone could confirm it that would be gice. The KO marking is on the ring and it is a 3-piece, magnetic cross. Thanks for any help, Pat

and the reverse...

Hi again, Here is the last item from the insignia lot I got a couple of months ago at a show. It is a KM Cloth chest eagle I believe and I was wondering what rank it was and if it looks good. The lot has checked out so far, and I think it's good but any opinions are welcome, Thanks, Pat

Here are the reverses..

Hi, I was wondering what rank this somewhat damaged Kriegsmarine Cap Eagle was and if it is an early issue. It is pretty small and skinny with no maker mark. I received the cockade in the same insignia lot as the eagle (and a couple other insignia sets,RAD brooch, and a ribbon bar with spange). The lot has checked out good so far and I was just wondering how these ones check out. Thanks again, Pat

Here are the reverses, no maker marks as far as I can see.

Hello again, Still going through my stuff here, with a question about this Heer officer's cap eagle and wreath (made of aluminum) and cockade (also aluminum I believe). I picked these up in an insignia lot with a few matching cap eagle/cockade sets. I was wondering if this is a matching set, and when it was made and generally any info on these items. Any piece of advice is helpful as I am still pretty green at this, Thanks again, Pat

Here is the back, with barely visible maker mark (partly hidden by pin) RZM M/117. Stamped issue.

Hi, I received this State cap eagle in an insignia lot a couple months back, and was wondering what department exactly it belongs to. I know it is probably a Government or State Authority Cap Badge of some kind because the eagle is facing the opposite way (left) than the military eagles. It is marked extremely tiny on the reverse of the eagle head RZM M/117. It had a lot more ver de gris on it when I got it, but I rubbed some off to clean it up a bit, as it was covered. The cockade came in the same lot and I was wondering if it is a match. I have a couple other matching cap eagle/cockade sets in the Heer and Kriegsmarine section from the same lot. Any info on this charming little cap eagle would be appreciated. Thanks, Pat

The back with ANG maker mark. Does anybody recognize this maker? I have never seen it before.

Hello, I picked up this RAD woman's brooch with maker mark A.N.G. and missing the pin at an antique show a couple months back in an insignia lot. I saw one like it on Siegmund Stephan's site but it didn't have much info, and a large price tag. Does anybody know how this award was given and to who, and basically any info on it. Thanks, Pat

Is it made of brass? I have seen a few of these in my searches. Looks very nice, no idea on the maker though.

Well that solves that mystery, but you gotta admit, it looks like the Ferrari horse! Thanks, Pat

The back, with a number (serial #?)..

Hi, This has always been a favourite of mine, I believe a service medal for the 22nd Bavarian Regiment for WW1. I have posted it in the Imperial Iron Cross post as well, but afterwards I thought I might get more advice here. My questions are does anybody else have one, and how rare is this medal, as I tried to research it everywhere but found nothing, not even a lising of a 22nd Bavarian Regiment on Feldgrau.com, only up to 21! Anyways, any info on this award would be appreciated, Thanks Pat

There should be a law requiring reproducers of historical items to mark it as such, and we would all be better off. That way we could have a healthy market for fakes as fakes and originals as originals. I've recentl found out a few badges were all fakes, casts of originals so all the details matched to the amatue eye. A marking would end all this thievery. My two cents, Pat

I have an almost complete collection of May Day (Tag der Arbeit) and Reichsparteitag tinnies, as well as a few others (some already posted individually). I just have to dig them out and I will have quite a few to add to this post. Here's one to start with, I thought it was a Ferrari tinnie, apparently it is a Westphalen/Nordrheim tinnie. A nice stamped early one though. Pat

This one looks original to me, anybody else have any comments on its originality? I am pretty confident in it, but I would like some advice. Thanks, Pat

The reverse, the funny colouring is from the shiny metal reflecting off my scanner. The ribbon does not glow under blacklight, by the way.