Harrier

I truly have no idea how to do this...........

Rick, As always, you are right on top of this area! I will try to post something soon. I am technologically challenged........ The Kapitan does have the umlaut. Thanks! Harrier

Hello, Does anyone have any information on a Walter von Lewinski, awarded "La Cruz blanca del Merito Militar de I clase" as a "Kapitan d.H."? I have his award certificate and would like to know about him. I know that von Lewinski was the original family name of the famous Erich von Manstein and wondered if there was a connection. Many thanks!

Had the pleasure of at last talking with Dietrich face-to-face (after many e-mails) and actually seeing an advance copy of the new book at the recent OVMS show. I can assure all that we're in for a real treat in the new few weeks. The book is, simply, excellent, and will certainly become a standard reference in the future. Dietrich has wisely limited his inquiry to officially approved and issued pieces. His solid research will greatly benefit the collecting community for many, many years to come. I would urge everyone to have a copy of this book in their reference library (even if you don't agree with every conclusion).

Sorry to add one more thought. Was there a difference in containers available as private-purchase, as opposed to the pieces actually officially presented through military channels to the recipient?

Beautiful and informative examples from your collection! Thanks!

I will keep my eyes open in the future for these cases. You may well be entirely right on transport and night fighters. I have never paid much attention to transport clasps, as basic original clasps still seem available and I have had the (uncased) ones I have for many years. On the other hand, I know that I have seen with my own eyes a real night fighter by RK in a case (not envelope or carton) marked for night fighter. If I had known how strange that was I would have bought it! I suppose this is what happens when you concentrate on the badge, not the container.

As I said, I do not collect cased clasps. I have seen a cased night fighter and wish I had taken a photo, but I did not. Are you saying definitively that no retailer ever supplied transport or night fighter clasps in cases properly marked for them? Again, I do not dispute air-to-ground or clasps with pendants. Best, Harrier

Just a brief follow-up. I can understand later war-introduced clasps not being seen in cases (by example, I have never seen a cased air-to-ground), but with earlier clasps why wasn't the retailer free to provide what he wished? I have seen night fighter clasps (I remember one very nice one marked RK) in cases I considered authentic (not the pendant version). As a disclaimer, I do not collect cased clasps and do not represent myself as an expert on them, so all I can report is what I have seen over the years that I considered, based on the totality of the circumstances, to be correct.

Francois, That is a very interesting observation. Why are the ones you listed not cased? I thought all of these badges could be private purchased from a retail shop. Best, Harrier

Thanks for showing this! Always good to see clasps in cases!

Hi, Thanks for the nice comments! I've been very lucky. Best to all, Harrier

Hello, again, Told you I was a terrible photographer. Best, Harrier HERE

Actually, of course, there are 40 possible combinations if you differentiate between numbered and "flower" pendants for each clasp, and many more if you take all the possible number sequences!

I would love to, but I am technologically challenged and my photo skills are horrible. I will see if one of my children can help me! I have been lucky enough over the years to obtain an example of all but 2 of the 32 clasp combinations. Never have been able to find a really good gold (w/o pendant) or silver long range night fighter. But, as said, I will enlist one of the younger family members this weekend to see what I can do. Best, Harrier

You are exactly right and I apologize. My screen was not set on wider parameters, so I did not see them. While I do not like the rivet, the Osang mark is recognized as correct and the arrow appears to be correct from the back, so I would join the others and give this one a "thumbs up". Best, Harrier

Gentlemen, I am a fairly new member here and virtually never post, but I believe you simply MUST see the reverse side of any clasp to tell if it is original. The pin structure, wreath strike, device strike (arrow, bomb, whatever), rivet construction, etc. are all critical. I have been collecting Luftwaffe items for over forty years and have seen innumerable clasps which look great from the front, but die when the back is examined. I'm not saying, at all, that this clasp is bad in any way, simply that it cannot be determined with certainty from what is shown here. Best, Harrier

Thanks! Just got my copy, too, but haven't had a chance yet to look at it.

Just wanted to let you know that a horizontal pin destroyer badge fits perfectly.

I have never seen one, but I don't see why there could not have been.

Again, many thanks! It's great to get all this information and know about this man. The jacket has "come alive". I appreciate all your help!

Thanks very much! This is exactly the information I was looking for and I really appreciate you taking the time to do this. This was my first post here and I'm very glad I joined!

Does anyone have any information on a Kriegsmarine Fregattenkapitan (V) Vehlhaber? I have his reefer jacket dated 1939, but he does not appear on the 1944 Rangliste. His ribbon bar (sewn on) has several WWI awards, as well as a WWII War Merit and 2 Navy long service ribbons with gold eagles. Additionally, it has loops for either an EKI or a WMC and also a lower second set of loops, sewn horizontally, for another badge. Because he was not (at least when the jacket was tailored) a line officer or other seagoing specialty, I have no idea what would fit here. Any help would be appreciated.