MrSmith

The fakes are getting really good with these. scary

Very nice!

Some thoughts on this one please? http://www.derrittmeister.com/productpages/11422.htm I don't think it is one I would want in my collection.

You see a lot of engraved badges like this on ebay, that would make me cautious to start with.

I have only ever seen Zimmermann pieces in these rare green cases.

Thanks for your advice Rick, I consider myself very green with German Aviation badges and I am trying to learn as much as I can on the subject. I have always enjoyed looking through that website, bit like a museum, interesting pictures, interesting stories. There are a few little stickpins there at the moment that look good, however the Zeppelin mini stickpin appears to have come from the same source, do you know if these are faked? Thanks for your help.

Considering how rare one of these badges would be that seems very reasonable price.

Was it this site? http://www.derrittmeister.com

Seems fairly obvious if someone gives you pictures that useless they are trying to hide something.

Thank you, that's just what I was after

Can someone please shed some light on Imperial Sanke Cards, Are there fakes of these in existence? How where these sold? e.g. like American cigarette cards? Are there any good forums or books that deal with these? I have tried doing a search on the internet but haven?t really come up with much information.

Guys thanks for your help, can you tell me if there are any good books available on the subject of WW1 German avation badges and awards?

Hi Daniel That would looks very nice, do you know what the fnish that was originally applied to these badges was? was it a silver type wash, as it appears the badge you posted has lost most of its finish. thanks

Hi Stogieman Thanks for your assistance, this is exactly what I was after, most of the badges I've seen around appear to be outright fakes or later produced badges, Do you know how much a ball park figure for one of these would be? http://www.derrittmeister.com/ sometimes has some badges but looking at their current offerings the only piece I feel comfortable with his the Bavarian Pilot's badge in the case, although the mini stickpins look quite nice and genuine as well.

Shouldn't von Richthofen also have received a wound badge for his near fatal head wound he suffered in July 1917 I understand the wound badge was not introduced until 1918, however wasn't the award also backdated for wounded soldiers?