Mike Dunn

And this--Mike

Well-since being a "poor" (LOL) almond farmer in California I have two items that I picked up in 2005 that I was very pleased to add to my humble collection..don't laugh to hard!

Another thought comes to mind on Imperial flight badges..lets say you buy one that is "good' from someone who "knows". Then you deside to part with it and there is a question about it..How can one "prove" that it is a period piece? While these badges are wonderful to look at, nice to talk about--they are a fricking mine field and one that requires very careful steps. I would love to own some-but never will because the seem to be so damn hard to authenticate. Oh well--just a new years thought I guess. Mike

"These little gems have been cast from originals. Under magnification, the casting pock marks become glaringly obvious. In addition, they're about slightly shorter than an original badge. Width is almost perfect. In addition to Pilot & Observer; a similar design/constructed Prussian Aerial Gunner Badge bearing fake Meybauer maker marks has been observed. The design follows Meybauer badges correctly with respects to correct style of crown and ribbon on the front. reverse bears 3 fake rivet impressions to give the illusion that the bird is riveted together a la Juncker.............."

Why even bother to try and buy these without holding them in hand? If it takes "magnification" to see the faults--damn--stop collecting them and let the stock piles of fakes stay in their hands. If it takes magnification to determine an original to a fake--stop buying any of them online and put a dent in the fake market...

Also, would it be possible to point out why the badge is a fake? Maybe an arrow pointing to the reason? Just to post a photo and say it is fake really does not show the reason why. Mike

That is a beautiful stickpin! I have been in one of the Hohenzollern castles a couple of times and they had some wonderful items there but a small display of medals and such. I may be way off base, but I think this is more a give away type item form the powers to be instead of a patriotic stickpin. Tend to think that it could have been an anniversary or special event stickpin. The reason I say that is there are no dates or mention of an event or reunion. Kinda of generic in a great way! Hard to date for me at this time-Pre WWI maybe, but I tend to think maybe a bit later--will do some asking and see if any of my friends know. I do find it interesting that it was made in Berlin-Prussia instead of a more local jeweler and with all my stickpins-that is the first I have seen with an attactment like that. But all in all-an item I would love to add to my collection and a great find! Mike

Glenn-thanks very much for your translation! Had part of it right anyway!!! Next question--I know that this is not an award document-but can someone translate this for me?? I have no clue!! Mike

I was going through some of my documents last night and ran across this. My question is--if I read this correctly--this a document for a 100 year jubilee meeting? If so, wonder if it is award document for a badge, medal or stickpin that would have been given out at the jubilee. I have a number of 100 year jubillee medals and had no idea or even thought they would have award documents. Also-Any idea which unit this is from?? Any ideas or thoughts on this?? Thanks Mike

Thanks to all the answers! Now I know what to get and where! Mike

These are kind fun as well. I am amazed at all the different types there are..

Glad you like them..here is one that is special to me. A gift a few Christmas's ago from a great friend! Like most, no ribbon and only one I have like this..

Lat one for now--don't want to bore everyone to death!! This is a really nice Bavarian 7th InfantryRegt-Prinz Leopold E.V. badge- nice blue and white enamel with the number 7. This is another Deschler-Munich badge. Kinda short for bavarian badges and is only 2 3/4 inchs in lenght. mike

Paul, if your talking about the three on the above medal bar that Rick posted, that was all there were. Nice to see the three together on one bar. Mike

Here is what looks like a 25 year badge for a Bavarian artillery unit #13? from the 1870/71 war. The detail is really nice in this styyle badge. This is a Gustav Deschler-Munich badge missing the pinback device--Oh well can't have it all I guess. Mike

Now this is my kind of medal bar!!! Interesting Inft regt #87 100 year Jubilaum medal--March 14, 1809-1909. Don't get these often with ribbons.. Mike

Not sure if this is the correct area for this question, but here it is anyway! I have a few Imperial award documents that are larger than the 8 x 11 1/2 inch sleeves that I use for the smaller documents. I am not big on folding the larger documents and was wondering what others use to store the larger documents flat and in a archival type setting. I like the archival 8 x 11 /12 inch sleeves as I can put them in a notebook for viewing and storage. Are there legal sized archival sleeves and if so where can one get them?? Any thoughts or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mike

That is interesting Rick! What did it sell for at the auction? As I said above, these are to big for cap badges and I think they were desk decoration and or paper weights. They are interesting pieces. Mike

Well--Thanks! Would have never guessed Swiss-but looking at it agian that makes sense. Thanks to all that helped solve the mystery! Second thought--were the Swiss neutral during WWI? Mike

Reverse--HELP my French friends!!

This is a nice, heavy tinnie type badge. Looks to have a German soldier on the front and what looks like French, Red Cross, and the date1918 on theback. Has what looks like a 0800 below the date on the back and a name under the bust on the front that looks like "Fians Fret" or "Flans Fret". 1/2 x 1 1/8 inch tinnie. Any clues my fellow gentlemen?? Mike

Well-as a lot of you know, I am not big into medal bars and ribbon bars. Just not my cup of tea so to speak. While, in my mind, this Imperial forum is higly tilted that way. I sadly have not had much to add to those threads. But, I really enjoy the odd ball Imperial stuff. A very good friend here has asked for me to post some of my interests--So I'll start with this one and I don't have a clue what it was for. It is tin, 3 x 1 1/2 inches wide and has, as you can see a plain back. MY first thought was a game piece of some sort-but I really have no clue. Throw in your two cents and maybe we will solve this puzzel! Mike

Thanks so much! Could the powers top be move this tread to the "Central Powers" section?? Mike

Reverse..Rusian??

I have no idea what this medal is for or which country it is from. Any help would be greatly welcomed! Mike

This is truely sad news. I have had the pleasure of talking with Tony about Veteran items and can proudly say that it was an honor to know him. His pieces that made there way into my collection will have a honored spot. I only wish we could have explored the veteran road together more. All my thoughts and best wishes to his family. Mike

Thanks Stogie-The first one is one piece, while from the front it looks like a three piece set, when looking at the side it is all one piece, no seams. The second one is 1 3/4 x 2 3/4 inches in size. I would think that it is to big to be a hat badge. They look veteran related but not sure. Can't feel any pin mounts or anything else through the felt. Mike