Mike K

Fantasy - or nightmare - piece imo. Ebay??? Regards Mike

The weak crescent shaped "crack" is still the best way to pick these decent castings. In the hand they are slightly smaller than originals. A friend had one and was lucky enough to return it to a well known US dealer who offers a lifetime guarantee. The pics should probably be added to this thread to have meaning in a year's time. Regards Mike

Reverse...

A not so common S&L example. Based on the hardware, imo 20s / 30s construction. Nicely gilded but worn. Not one you see every day! Regards Mike

Hi Matt, The cross appears genuine but the screwnut may be a replacement and it is missing a large diameter disc, as evidenced by the circular marks on the outer arms. Regards Mike

Yes, these particular items are crude fakes that are currently flooding eBay. The RZM stamp is laughable and is becoming on fake 1914EK1s as well. The actual design of the crosses in question may actually be genuine, derived from period commemerative pieces, so I'm not sure if fantasy is 100% appropriate (in combination with the RZM hardware, fantasy IS appropriate!). Regards Mike

Are you 100% sure this is a one-piece? I see some evidence on the lower arm of the first pic that the pieces may be soldered together? I know Sedlatzed was still active in the late 50s and probably early 50s, but this one gives me the impression of being earlier. I can't quite figure out the nut you've described on the screwback - what I'm seeing looks like a Hansen screwdisk, but I get the impression there is another nut underneath which is actually threading onto the post? All in all, I like it, if only because I don't mind picking up Sedlatzek items when I can! Regards Mike

This is what I refer to as the generic "slant W" core (look at the top middle stroke of the W) and was used by MANY manufacturers. The core detail on this type is excellent. Identifying a manufacturer from an unmarked example can sometimes be guessed by the hardware, but in this case nothing comes to mind. I don't recall seeing the "dimple" feature before, so another variant to keep an eye out for! Regards Mike

Unfortunately the core does not indicate a maker, but it does rule out CD 800. Sorry, I think these markings will remain a mystery. The guy applying them must have had a bad day to mis-strike them twice! Regards MIke

Could be almost anything, including plier marks. A pic of the core may help. Regards Mike

Hi, From the limited investigations I've been able to undertake, this is not a Bavarian Pilot's badge stickpin. I understand it is the symbol of a WW1 Bavarian veteran flyer's association that was active in the 20s and early 30s. I have not been able to find out an exact name for the association. I've managed to pick up a single stickpin like the above and another in a tiny group which included a matching hat badge and what I think might be a sleeve badge with a related design. Regards Mike

A very nice cased wartime award! Thanks for showing it!! Regards Mike

A nice original with a crude but probably period catch repair. Regards Mike

Hi Ulan, Imo you have simply noticed variations due to different manufacturers. Both examples appear to be originals to me, although the (probably wartime) CD800 has some problems with it's frames (probably separated and repaired). The EK2 appears to be an exceptionally nice example. Regards Mike

I'll throw in a slightly different point of view. Sure, it does not appear to be from one of the main 1870s manufacturers but I see 2 really good things going for it - the hardware looks high quality to me, certainly not 57er in any way shape or form. I do not recall seeing anything really close in 1914 examples either and to me it does not really look 20s/30s. The other point is the core - it looks like cast iron to me, indicating earlier rather than later manufacturer. The on thing I'd want to be sure of is that the frames are solid silver and not plated - hard to be certain from the pics. At a guess, I'd suggest circa 1900 +-10 years based on construction. Regards Mike

The lower badge is Freikorps: Verdienstabzeichen for II. Marine-Brigade Wilhelmshaven (Ehrhardt). The upper section reads "VERDIENSTUMS" The middle section has a central oakleaf overlying a (l-r) black/white/red ribbon The lower section reads "VATERLAND" Regards Mike

Hi Chris, From the core and hardware I'd place this as a Deumer from the 40s. Regards Mike

Reverse...

This little set, held together by an old piece of string, arrived recently. I've never really taken an interest in pre-1870 items before, but I have to say these are nicely detailed and very weighty - I'm impressed! Regards Mike

Hi, I'm not sure what you mean by "kingsize". FA1 Prinzens are ~38-39mm FA2s are ~39.5-40.5mm FA1s are ~45-46mm (depending upon manufacturer and period) Are you saying you have one that's 47mm? If so, can you show some obverse & reverse pics. That may help figure out what it is. Regards Mike

That's probably good, because the hardware on that last example makes me want to run away - VERY fast! Regards Mike

Hi, I was watching that auction with interest. The badge is a Souval from the 50s or 60s. His badges from this period normally still had a swas of course, but this is one post-war Souval that I simply can not fault. It will be interesting to learn if there is a tiny L/58 stamp somewhere on the reverse. Regards Mike

WTH is an "original copy"??? Originals are easily US$500+ Fakes, maybe US$20 The example above is a repro meant to deceive, but is easily given away by incorrect hardware, poor obverse details and blurry maker mark. Regards Mike

Hi Micha, Not with this type of hardware - only with the standard TR period "coke-bottle" pin and L/11 marking. Regards Mike

Hi, Has anybody seen this stickpin "flying quill" design before? I was sure I'd seen something similar in relation to WW1 aviation (a plane or unit symbol) but I can not find anything firm. I may be barking up the wrong tree looking for an aviation connection - the pin is marked "W. Marnet Neustadt A.d. H.", which may actually give it some sort of stenographic meaning! Any help appreciated. Regards Mike