Avitas

I have just seen some good close-ups of the Gau Essen badge, and it appears mine may heve been one that had the hammers broken off (probably one broke off, so to make it look better they probably filed the others off). It looks like it may have been modified on the edges upon close inspection, as it is made by the same maker and matches entirely, except for the omission of the 2 hammers.

Perhaps mystery solved,

Pat

and finally the back of the cap eagle. It is in pretty good shape and any help on this item or any of the previously shown items is really appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat

Here is the other cap eagle I received from the mailman today. I am not 100% sure on the ID of this one, but it appears to be the same eagle used in NSDAP and SS documents, so it could be one of those. If anyone can help with the correct ID of this eagle that would be great. It looks like an early stamped piece, and it has no markings that I can see. Sharp details throughout as well. Could be a SA kepi eagle, which was mentioned as a possible ID by the seller (a member on this forum.)

Cheers,

Pat

and finally, a close up of the reverse of the badge, a nice patina which definitely looks like zinc. Now all I need is a good zinc IAB to go with this! Please PM me if you have a spare you wouldn't mine parting with

Thanks for looking and feel free to leave comments!

Pat

Here is a close up of the front of the IAB stickpin...

Hello gents,

Just got this wonderful IAB stickpin on card in the mail today, a real beauty! It appears to be a zinc badge and has lost much of its finish, but a nice original set I would say. If any wizards out there can name the maker, that would be great, and thanks for looking.

Later,

Pat

..and the reverse of the SA eagle, lots of patina.

Pat

Hello all,

Just got a couple SA cap eagles in the mail today, had to warm up the scanner! First up is an SA political eagle (posted by Hauptman earlier) with the RZM M1/72 maker stamp on the back. It has a very nice patina and an original no doubt in my view. Here are some new scans.

Cheers,

Pat

Thanks Dan, your SA eagle has found a new home in my ever improving collection. Nice patina on the back for sure. If you want I can post new scans to do them justice, let me know.

Cheers,

Pat

Here is the inscription, which I think says "Col John E. Sandersen, Westview, BC TG? To? RSM Burton. I think RSM is a rank as well and if anyone knows who these soldiers were please leave the info. Here also is a pic of the front page, with all pertinent information. Any and all advice and help on these items is welcome and thanks for looking!,

Pat

Here is the "Combined Operations" Book with the Commandos insignia on the cover. It was printed in the USA by MacMillan in 1943, Copyright 1943 by the Controller of His Britannic Majesty's Stationery Service, with lots of nice operational photos and information. I think it may be for soldiers, and it is inscribed from one soldier to another, which I will show next post.

Pat

reverse of insignia...

Hello Gents,

These pieces aren't metal, but I thought they were relevant. Here is a cloth wartime British Commando cloth insignia I have, and I also have the matching book "Combined Operations" printed in 1943 and inscribed "Col. John E Sandersen, Westview, BC (To?) RSM Burton". If anyone recongnizes these names please tell me their story. First pic is the cloth insignia.

Pat

To get back on topic, I am very surprised that there are not any true scientific means to properly date metals. You would think in this day and age SOMEONE would have invented a method or device by now, accurate to at least within 5 years either way! This device would be invaluable to all collectors, historians, archeaologists and anyone else who would like to know how old a specific metal is. I guess we will just have to wait till that technology evolves, and then there will be no debate on badges and medals (until someone figures out how to fake that!!). So, scientific community, where are you now with your modern day miracles?

Just a thought,

Pat

OOps I am embarrassed! I knew it was the British War Medal, but I forgot the Victory medal is actually the other one that I don' have! I have seen the Victory medal a million times but I just spaced on the name, maybe the Slayer concert in Vancouver a couple days back killed too many brain cells. Times like this I wish I could edit the topic of this post and change it to "British War Medal"! Oh well, I am sick as a dog with the flu (also thanks to the Slayer concert! and my total lack of any sleep) so I guess my brain is not working, so it's a good thing I didn't go to work today!!

Thanks Darrell for the correction on my absent-minded mistake, and any info on the rank of "SPR"and what "G.E." stands for is welcome.

Cheers,

Pat

and finally, the back of the miniature medal. I have had this set since I started collecting and finally dug it out to get the gentleman's information to be discussed and maybe his family can find it on a search, you never know! Again, any info on the large medal or any comments at all are very helpful,

Later,

Pat

Here is the miniature ww1 British War medal, with great patina as well. I love the minis!

Cheers,

Pat

Here is a pic of the reverse of the large medal...

Hello there,

I am posting my ww1 British War Medal set for information. It could be awarded to a Canadian soldier, but I am not sure. The inscription on the edge reads "464205 SPR A.J. Gay G.E." and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the "SPR" and the "G.E." stood for. I assume the SPR is some type of private and it's probably right under my nose but any help is welcomed as I can't quite place the rank. As for the G.E. I really don't know, so any info is great. This is a nice little set with great silver patina and if anyone has any info to share on this specific medal or this medal in general please leave some!

Cheers

Pat

Here is the back of the large pin, with number 44675 on it. Any info on this type of badge is welcome! I think it is one of the very early types.

Cheers,

Pat

Hello all,

I finally scanned my 1927 issue British Empire Service League Canadian Legion member pin, with early number 44675 and made by William Scully of Montreal, a prominent Canadian maker, along with a couple miniatures. They have great blue and red enamel and great detail for such tiny pins. I picked up the two miniatures separately and one is made by G. Lamond Montreal, and the other is unmarked besides "D.M.W. PAT 1858686" on the fastener piece. They appear to be from the same period. I haven't seen any of these on the forum so I was wondering if anyone else has any of these member pins and can fill in on some more details. Here is a pic of the fronts,

Cheers,

Pat

and the reverse, with what looks like good original stitching. Also note that the eagle is scanned in its plastic sleeve to straighten it all out and keep it flat, not directly placed on the scanner. Any opinions and help on this Afrika Korps insignia or any of the last few posts (RS&S Belt Buckle, HU cloth etc) it would really be appreciated.

Cheers again!

Pat

Hello All!

I have recently acquired a nice Afrika Korps cloth eagle and was looking for some opinions on it. I think it is a cap eagle as it looks too small to be a chest eagle, but it could be a sleeve eagle. My insignia book doesn't show a picture so if anyone can help out that would be great! Here is the front, with some of the original cloth still attached.

Cheers,

Pat

There was a bill here in Canada that would have banned the sale of medals as well, but it died in parliament when the last election was called. The government would love to ban everything, and it usually is in response to a miniscule amount of complaints opposed to the vast majority of logical common sense (war on drugs anyone?). Dan is right that it is OUR govenment and they should not be dictating to us, but we should be dictating to them. I think it is absurd that a government would want to eliminate the one hobby that does pay utmost respect to out war veterans in a time when they are crying out for the younger generation to remember. Personally, I cannot think of a more profound way to learn the stories of the honorable vets besides either being there or hearing it from a relative than collecting medals and memorabilia. I myself have turned many of my friends (aged 23-29 usually) on to military history, which is more than I can say for the government. Granted, here in Canada the bill was triggered by the Victoria Cross that was for sale and a foreign person wanted to buy it, but the veterans (led by Smokey Smith, VC winner as well) managed to keep it in Canada by buying it. Now I can see the point with Medals of Honour and VC's, but a 39-45 Star?!?! COme on! THis is just another example of a brain dead government throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Keep living free!

Pat

Thanks for the info Stefan

I would assume it is ww2 issue as the jacket is stamped "1943" under the 3 crowns in the back of the inside of the jacket. The pants could very well be later issue but I am pretty sure the tunic is ww2 issue (unless these were still distributed as surplus to the army well after the war). If it is post-war, why would it be marked 1943? Any thoughts on this?

THanks again,

Pat