Ferg1

This is the only shot I have Ferg1.

Alas Don ,It is not mine just a friends piece,history unknown. Ferg1.

Thought you might enjoy a look at this. Ferg1.

Hi Lee, yes the one you pointed out is marked KARL POLLATH. I do not know exactly how long they produced these but probably well into the 20's /30's in one form or another . Details are sketchy at best with regard to production figures and periods for these badges. This one is silver so I suspect it is early-mid war . I will try and post a picture of reverse this evening.Ferg1.

I have seen several of these badges with the Zeitner MM on the reverse all of which were cast from lead and obviously fake, interested to know what yours is made from, is it solid or hollow? Ferg1.

Hey Paul, weight is almost 4 lbs !! Ferg1.

Here's a whoppa of a cross ! Some sort of wall plaque I guess, Main cross is cast/forged bronze with added sword blades and handles.Wreath is copper and each leaf is individually soldered on to make up whole.Two acorns either side are concealed screws that hold the wreath on also concealing screw holes for main support.I am considering moving this piece on if anyone is interested ? Ferg1

The leaves on the wreath ,especially the oaks are quite typical in style to badge design of the 30's/40's compared to something like the Luftwaffe squadron clasps,also the granulated finish under the red enamel is very typical of the 30's.Ferg1.

I think we can be sure that it was never intended as a badge for wear as it is far too big, it occured to me that the centre plaque are the colours of the Polish air force aren't they ? Maybe it belonged to a Polish defector or maybe not !! I attach a picture of the reverse(note how the prongs have been soldered together) Also a comparision with a standard issue Juncker example.Ferg1

Copy of what ??? The piece is clearly not a copy of a standard observer badge as it is 95mm high and has no form of pin/catch assembly. One would think that if the faker lavished this much attention to detail and form then he would take the time to get the enamel colours right , I always think in terms of how many others have I seen of this badge errrrr, none ! So unlikely to have produced one as a copy/fake piece ,sorry Rick, I don't agree. Has patina and wear that says otherwise to me,Ferg1.

Here's an interesting one, some sort of plaque in stamped tombak or somesuch,95mm high ,quite different from the usual design of this badge especially the reversal of colours on the centre plaque. Has two mounting holes top and bottom.Any ideas? Ferg1.

Thanks Rick ,I look forward to seeing a picture of its previous life ! It was silly cheap for a genuine example dispite its ' used ' features.Ferg1

As in keeping with my enjoyment for aviation badges with that ' been there ' feel here is a newcomer to my hoard. 800 silver KARL POLLATH example that has seen some action. Came from a German family source but I am still trying to ascertain the name of the pilot from the family. The cross has been removed at top of badge and the pin,hinge cover and catch have been repaired/replaced (contemporary). Interestingly ,the hinge cover ,the curved piece over the actual hinge assembly looks to have been cut from another badge as it has detail of some sort of stamped texture on it. Anyone contemplating a Bavarian pilot badge have a good look at the details of this one and compare it to the vast majority of the Bavarian badges out there,his one is from the period ! Ferg1.

Hi Guys, does anyone have any info or knowledge of a Bavarian pilot by the name of ' Gorlik ' or ' Seemiller ' ? Thanks in advance Ferg1.

Here are two recent-ish newcomers to my hoard. Bavarian Pilot and Observer in a not often seen variant . Made by the unknown maker with the square punch MM. Observer is 935 silver marked on pin.Pilot is also silver but not marked as such. There are a few remnants of the frosting finish on the pilot badge but the burnishing is intact on the highpoints. Detail on both badges is lovely. I include a comparision picture or two with the more often seen (but still rare) Pollath examples.Ferg1

Nice stuff,Steve ! . Let me know if your selling ha,ha, Ferg1

Hi Claudius,here are some original Schaper examples, I feel bad giving you the bad news about your badge, believe me I have been there too many years ago. Don't let it put you off, we all learn the hard way !!! It's just infuriating not being able to nail the B**tards who flog this bad stuff.Ferg1.

Hi Claudius, thanks for the clearer pics. but I have to say I fear the worst. IMO it is copy. You are right about the catch position in the case of Schaper badges anyway ,the catch should be positioned further up. I feel this is one of the Schaper type copies ,unmarked. It has all the hallmarks of one of these,pin type ,catch position detail to front etc... Sorry mate ,I hope it didn't set you back too much.Ferg1

Did anyone on this forum win the Marine airshipper badge on Eb*y ? It finished at almost 170euro, which is silly cheap IF it were real expensive if it is (IMO) a fake ! The auction had the usual distant blurry pictures so you couldn't really make out any details for sure. ( I questioned the seller for clearer pictures and he said his camera would not do any better,oh really ..... suprise,suprise) . The badge looked like a wrong-un and the weight was certainly too light for an original. It seemed to conform to a well known copy but still people threw money at it ! I hope I am wrong but I don't think so Hope nobody here got caught. Oh, and the seller does not accept returns !! :rolleyes:

Hi Claudius, the pictures are not really clear enough to make a definate opinion but the general hardware setup and style are worrying for me. Can you post clearer/closer pictures? As I see from the pictures it looks rather like one of the many bogus Schaper badges but an unmarked example.I may be wrong but I will check out my reference photo's and return.Ferg1.

Wow, nearly $4000 and 10 hours to go, someone is going to be very upset and put of pocket when the awful truth is revealed !!!! Ferg1

Yeah, I got the same answer to that question when I asked him, wonder how long it took him to think that one up ?? Ferg1

Hi Alex, if you look closely at the Juncker marked silver examples and compare with the issue piece it is from the exact same die . There are tiny die flaws which match exactly on issue and silber badges. All four types of Juncker badge ( pilot ,observer,retired and gunner) are made from one basic die, then the centre was cut out and applied star burst plate for observer, plain plate for gunner ,aircraft cut out and landscape retained for retired (eagle added) .This is clear when you closely examine the wreath and crown on each badge,they have identical die flaws. It is common sense to save making four seperate dies . Ferg1.

Hi Alex,yes the pin ,as with so many Schaper pieces is a period replacement, the patina to mine is dark because through wear it has lost a percentage of its gilding and you are seeing the bronze base metal. Ferg1

Hi Motorhead,thanks for the edge on shots ,thats perfect.Ferg1.