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Francois, One of my favorites, of yours. Wish it were mine... The small 'A' stamp looks like the same one that Assmann used on the reverse left wing, on the Flak badge. Regards, Mark

Steve, I understand completely. Mark

Hi Steve, Enjoyed talking at the MAX. I can find no faults with the IMME. Comparisons with like badges are next to impossible, but everything I see, is exactly what I would expect to see. I'd like to see it in my collection, too! Regards, Mark

And over the years, thanks for all your comments, especially that they come from an advanced collector. Mark

All that I familiar enuf to comment on are pre 45 authentic pieces. The Luft, EKs, etc. Very honorable thing you are doing, Francois. I am patiently waiting for several beautiful treasures of your to 'come on the market'. Regards, Mark

Thanks for posting the images Steve. The badge has (edit)- some potential. The matte silvery finish is EXACTLY what I would expect to see on an aluminum badge, as opposed to a mirror like shiny finish (the J2 on the other site). On the other hand, the hinge looks disproportionately large, as do the rivets. Not saying good or bad.... just observations. Is that a Juncker J1 eagle and wreath? Question 1) What did it sell for? Question 2) Wonder why the images were pulled down? By request of the purchaser? Regards, Mark

Hi Steve, I missed it..... whose update? Mark

Naoki, Konban wa! Arigato gozaimasu and Much Thanks! (from the USA.) I always thought it was pretty 'textbook'. Regards, Mark

Fine John, Sorry, I didn't even think about putting it there. DUH! Robin, I guess this is a dumb question, what what exactly is the difference bewtween the 'natural' and the 'stick' bones? Regards, Mark

And the reverse. Mark

Gentlemen, I thought I would try stirring up some dust, things seem a little slow. Here is my offering. Please post your CLTB. I think we will have 3 possibilities. The rare and pretty much non-existant Portguese is one, and the second two are the German stamped versions, with differences in the wreath, tank, bones, etc. And are either of the German badges Wernstein produced pieces? Thanks, Mark

Silver, Reverse. Note engraved date, not award #. Since there was reportedly only one Silver Award made, and there are no records or photographs of it, I have heard it explained both ways that this pictured award is the one and only Silver piece made. Without definitive proof, it is one man's word against anothers as to 'if' this is the sole Silver piece manufactured. Regardless, a rare bird. Not as desirable as a set of Gold Swords, but equally rare! Regards, Mark PS - I am asking myself ..... why did I sell this piece?

Silver, Obverse. Mark

And the reverse. I was fortunate to be offered the complete set of Bronze, Silver, and Gold, awards, in addition to the lapel pins, etui, and documents. They all came from George Petersen. The (extremely) rare Silver class had a '38 date inscribed, not an actual award #. It is authentic, and was sold to one of the top (US) Dealers in the World. Pretty good proof it is authentic. Regards, Mark

Hello Francois, Thank You for alerting me to this very crude pathetic cast imitation. Less than 150 of these Awards were made in Gold. It is much more rare than ELs. The quality of the real awards is exceptionally high, as you will note, even in my low-res images. Do not be fooled by the junk from Poland, etc. A blind man can see the difference! Hope this helps. Best Regards, Mark

The crude mortar itself. Referred to as a 70 mm Anti Aircraft Spike Mortar.

I found some additional info, searching on the 'net'. AA Mine Discharger From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Parachute mines deployingThe AA Mine Discharger was a Japanese anti-aircraft weapon of the Second World War. The device was a simple tube like an infantry mortar of 70 mm or 81 mm caliber. Instead of a standard mortar bomb the projectile was a tube containing the 7 individual mines each approximately 11/16ths of an inch in diameter (18 mm) and 3 inches long (75 mm). Each mine was equipped with its own parachute. When fired, the mortar threw the shell to a range of 3,000 to 4,000 feet (900 to 1,200 m) and a maximum altitude of approximately 600 m. The shell ejected the mines at the top of its arc. They would then float down on their parachutes. They were fused to detonate on contact or after a fixed time period, damaging nearby aircraft. It could also be used like a simple cluster bomb by firing over enemy troops.

Last Image. Closer view of text. Translation above, in first post. Any comments more than welcome. Thanks, Mark

Interior bottom of casing. Notice fuse coiled circumtually.

Removable safety cap for bottom of mortar round.

Bottom of casing. Primer inside?

Small emblem on side, translates to "EAST".

I have come accross an interesting piece of Japanese (inert) ordnance. This is what is called a "7cm Uchiage Sosoku-dan" and was a neat little secret weapon devised to counter low flying aircrft on a strafe run. These were shot from special mortar tubes as enemy planes come in for the attack, and will break into 7pieces in mid air, each of which will float on parachutes. The idea was for the low attacking aircraft snagging these parachutes or it's lines which will detonate the ordnance. The translation of characters is roughly as follows: Line: 1 - Seven 2- Obsolete military measurement ? 3 & 4 Together- Launch 5- To block, or protect 6- To protect the fortress 5 & 6 Together- Barrage Balloon 7- Bullet I am interested in selling this round. Any idea what kind of interest there may be in something very rare and unique, such as this? The tube is empty, with the exception of what looks to be fuse material, coiled in the very bottom of the casing. Pictures to be attached. Regards, Mark

It most certainly looks very familiar! Seen one like it elsewhere, I suspect. Mark

Rosenberg, Thanks for the images. Still looking them over. MAN! I love that Mini! Regards, Mark