Colin Davie

Some badges to share and hopefully see some different examples. First we have to mention Richard Sieper & S?hne L?denscheid RZM M9/25, the most prolific manufacturer of plastic badges.

Reverse shows variation in finish better, same maker. C See you in 3 months

There are some nice badges, thanks for sharing, I collect these by the different makers, problem is when I'm out and about I find it difficult to remember which makers I already have.. compounded by the fact that I collect the May 1st tinnies by maker as well. The badges for '34 I have with a silver and bronze finish and would like to ask if anyone else has noticed variations in finish of the badges, of course often we will have silver and "Antiqued" read blackened. Please see attached '34 badges with bronze and silver finishes, forgive me if someone replies and I don't answer for a while, I get to see a computer about once every 3 months these days, Tieste only discribes these as being "metal" Cheers C

Tinnies with black fronts and pristine silver backs are just mint full stop, if you read period sales materials you will see these badges refered to as "Antiqued". So please don't clean them, they are perfect. C

The main noticable difference on the front is the differing colour of brown paint used for the flag, but there are many little differences, the back shows even more and 2 differing maker marks. Tieste does not show these "wavy" flags, not that I can find anyhows and it's tempting to believe it another variation on the straight series, however the paint is completely different (seems red), the name on the back spelling "Luftwaffe" instead of "Luft" too. I dunno C

There are 20 different flags.. pages 108,109 and 110 of Tieste's WHW series book 1 shows these, though because the images are black and white there is no point in showing a scan as many of the badges look the same in B/W, however the book does name all 20 flags, it would take a long time for me to type out all the names sorry. BTW they were sold 16th and 17th March 1940 (Tag der Wehrmacht). Tag der Wehrmacht was celebrated all over Germany, so there are variants, let's use this one as it is shown as "wavy" above.

Interesting, is there a practical reason for it? Maybe just looked better without the cloth LOL. C

Interesting the large group to fighter pilot Viktor Bauer in Detlev's update today, in the photos shown the Demjansk and Krim shields appear to attached without backing cloth, never seen that before. C

Well another point about the possibility of this panel being available is that many churches are being sold off for developers to convert to flats/units/apartments whatever your particular country calls them, maybe they saved this particular panel from oblivion, we would like it in our house maybe but the majority would'nt. Could always E-mail them and ask it's history C

Often glass panel artists will buy antique panels for re-sale or repair then re-sell too, don't know, but indeed t'is a fine piece of glass work one way or the other. C

Please share any known coins, I really like some of the Aussie ones I've discovered since moving down here, just wondered what else was out there. C

Rick noticed the computer games in the background I noted the lead panel windows all over the place... I'd want REAL proof this WW1 panel is'nt just the sellers pet project over the last 2 years. C

I know it's not what many in here will want to hear, but I for one am glad they are going back to Russia. It always gladdened my heart to see UK individuals put their hand in their pocket and contribute to a VC staying in the UK. By the same token I always found it a little bit sad to see a KC named to someone historically important fly out of Germany almost every week, I'm sure the German guys have done what they can with so many KC's available, I appreciate they are in a different position. The Russian prices are not insane now IMO... they were insane before when they were cheap. Japanese medals are under appreciated in Japan IMO, a real shame they go relatively cheaply out of the country, buy them now to profit later maybe if that's how some collect (investment). Good on the Russians, enjoy your history and remember those that gave you what you now enjoy. C

I think there are 2 flak pieces if memory serves me right, here is a pic. of the ones I have in my collection, I've got quite a few doubles if anyone is after any. Though in the pic it seems like some of these shown are doubles they are all different. C

They say that the human figure is one of the hardest things to draw, so I always found it interesting that the 1935 Labour Day tinnies for example, featuring three men of different professions were always virtually identical, even though I looked at what must have been nearly a dozen different manufacturers badges, it made/makes me think that clearly the production of identical hardware distributed between different manufacturers re dies and molds was practiced, that of course leads to the thought of why we have so many different looking IAB, PAB etc.. why not just share identical hardware again? Could mutiple identical dies be produced? If so any ideas why that was'nt practiced more instead of everyone making their own dies?, maybe they were willing to use multi dies on tinnies but got a bit more houseproud when it came to awards? Interesting field though, certainly the Africa Hero guy is happy to share designs among many different makers C

Was Yugoslavia a communist country? Will also edit to ask what it had to do with the Soviet Union? Bizzarre. Did'nt seem like it when I was there in the late 80's. C

It's not difficult to throw up a fake buyer ID on ebay... so if some poor bidder should bid 15000euro and mention on the feedback 2 days later that they paid cash and only got a photo instead of the bar he would have some heavy fees to pay ebay C

Had a couple of QSA campaign medals come thru my hands.. names rubbed off on all 3 of them, just curious.. why did anyone ever do that? There must be a reason, but I can't think of one, perhaps to wear it without someone knowing it was'nt yours? Such a shame whatever it might be. C

Well I have shown my 2 badges on the WAF link you have provided above, which I started. Still have'nt bought a silver one, but will one day.. one of the nicest daybadges made IMO. Would like to get the Danner maker marked one too, now that you've mentioned it. C

The I-401 will possibly be a good dive project for those interested in WW2 wrecks. http://ahoy.tk-jk.net/macslog/JapaneseSubmarineI-401fou.html Currently trying to gather more info. C edit to add this pic, nice model BTW.

Nice badge, Claymore you must have an impressive collection when all your badges are put to-gether, can you give some group shots? Thanks for sharing your badges. C

If a close scan of the tinnie the HJ member is wearing (2nd on the left) of the picture can be provided it can be dated pretty accurately. C

Here's a nice one, if I did'nt have such grief bringing in edged weapons thru customs I would have gone for it. C http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Antique-Masonic-Knig...1QQcmdZViewItem

If buying an item in this expense bracket, really anyone, not just beginners should only buy from a dealer with a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.. someone proves it fake in the future, you claim a refund. Call it insurance/assurance or just common sense. C

I read it as Jap.fr. Seems the letter "f" has a little tail at the bottom compared to the "E" above C