Martin W

Erik, that is one fine looking cap.I think i would like one of those also.Here is a photo i have with the white uniform showing the CA badge. Regards,Martin.

Another photo.

Hi Erik, i have no tunics in my collection either,but here are a couple of photo's showing the tropical uniform. Regards,Martin.

Fantastic collection Gordon. Regards,Martin.

Gordon, are the Willrich portraits of "Unsere U-Boote Waffe" his originals? Regards,Martin.

Gordon, here is a similar photo i have.However,all the cockades here are of the embriodered type. Regards,Martin.

Permissiom granted Rick. Cheers,Martin.

Thanks Gordon, i couldn't beleive my luck when i first viewed this photo with my eyeglass.I rate this photo along with the one of "Luth" wearing the embriodered U-Boat badge. Regards,Martin.

A detail of the badge.

This photo arrived today.When i viewed it on line,i figured a nice photo of the Destroyer badge in wear,so i purchased it.After close inpsection on arrival i was surprised to find that the badge is of the embroidered type.I know these badges were produced.After going through my references,i have to admit that i think this is the first photograph i have seen of the emroidered Destroyer badge in wear. Regards,Martin.

John i am convinced that the group shot was not taken in front of the Stier before her departure.I think it was taken after her return to Bordeaux.I am not sure what ship the picture was taken in front of but it could well be the Tannenfels after modifications.This is the area i have concentrated on in comparing the group shot.The vertical piers stemming from the main deck seem to coincide.They are not a feature on the Steir. Regards,Martin.

Gordon, just my opinion but i think i am inclinded to agree with your Mayer theory.Maybe they did continue to use the "tombak" dies before changing the design? Regards,Martin.

That Assmann is very nice Gordon.Great condition. Regards,Martin.

A couple of nice badges there Gordon.Despite the variations in the hinge and pin the large circular catch-plate is a definate feature on the L/53's,i think. Regards,Martin.

Paul, i hope you can get your money back on this one. Regards,Martin.

Paul, i hate to be the bearer of bad news but from what i can see your badge is not an original piece.The maker mark is incorrect,as is the color of the basemetal.I beleive this is a well known fake from Arizona.Can you post close up pictures of the MM? Regards,Martin.

The "modified" reverse.The wings on the eagle have been bent upwards.This probably occured during the process of removing the hinge.Vise or clamp marks are visible on the eagle.

Paul, please post some pic's of you new badge.I would love to see them.I just picked up another tombak Schwerin myself.At first i thought i was sad that the reverse hardware was removed.I later found out that this was done by the recipient so that he could place the badge in a album.So i now have a very personalized piece for $160.00. Regards,Martin.

Reverse of photo.

Photographs of the HSK badge in wear are very hard to find IMO.This is only the second one i have obtained. Regards,Martin.

Hi nesredep, a very nice looking pair of badges. regards,Martin.

John, your observations are impeccable.I have to admit that i would have probably just presumed that this is another high end "Hero" fake.He seems to be getting bettter on certain badges.There is definately a lesson to be learned here. Many thanks,Martin.

Richard, IMO the badge you have posted is a Mayer.The Zimmermann should have four segmented arms to the swastika.If the reverse hardware is not pictured in Gordon's book then i can only presume that it is a Mayer variant. Regards,Martin.

Despite the flaws i like this one also.The "flattened" look to the "R" on the maker mark is consistent with other period Minesweepers i have seen by Souval. Regards,Martin.

Great looking zincer there Gordon. Regards,Martin.