juvatwad

To my eyes the thing that stands out on the "small 4" fake is the thickness of the vertical portion of the "4". It is thicker on all examples above that are considered to be the fakes.

Does anyone have one of these that is complete? It's a seenotsender (sea rescue transmitter). This one is missing the piece that would hang around the neck.

Ian

Here is one temporarily removed from a tunic. Any comments regarding originality?

Thanks,

Ian

Please confirm the photo above is of the "small 4" fake?

Thanks for taking a look. If I buy it, it will be for display on a tunic, so the case doesn't matter to me for my purposes.

Ian

Ok, I was able to get a few close-ups.... Maybe the eagle is just worn?

The wreath looks OK pattern wise, but the eagle seems a bit muddy to me, and the overall detail appears soft. It is unmarked. What are your thoughts?

Thanks,

Ian

I'm not a dedicated cross collector, but I'd like to acquire a few to display with tunics. How does this one look?

Thanks

Ian

I've seen a few, but I just started looking for them, too. Prices I've seen range from $400-$800, but at the higher end they don't currently seem to be moving.

Ian

What's wrong with the left lense?

Ian

I don't know then. The back is a little rough in texture similar to a late war zinc badge, which I wouldn't expect from brass, I guess. Just now if I scrape at the gold portion with a clip it turns more of a shiny silver. Maybe it is zinc. Hmmm.

It's too heavy to be aluminum, and there is gold toning in the recesses on the back, especially along the groove of the upper part of the wing. Maybe brass?

Ian

Ok.

Yes it appears that the "white" part of the visor is not original. The band, visor, and cockade look OK to me, though. Here is a picture of the eagle removed. Is this bad as well?

Ian

The M43 is probably a postwar Bundeswehr cap plus the silver piping might be added one day.., nevertheless not a era cap IMO.

I remember I've seen many postwar gabardine NCO caps like this 30 years ago, could be bought by the dozen..

Looks like one of those with added insignia..

I don't like the white cap top either..., both would be not for my collection.

Jos.

This is the kind of help I need and appreciate. After comparing the M43 with photos, I agree. Before I accepted the white visor, a couple of knowledgable collectors here in the US looked it over and called it good. Could you point out specifically what is wrong with the white visor? How should the top look? What should I look for on a correct period eagle?

Thanks,

Ian

Second, a white visor:

I'd like your opinions on these two hats, please. First, billed as an M43:

Thanks,

Ian

Having images of real badges from the various manufactureres is proving invaluable.

Thanks,

Ian

Some details on the wreath look wrong, the swas appears too thin, and the eagle, particularly the head doesn't match the IMME badges posted below. Also the maker's mark is clumsy. What do you guys think?

OOPS...nice catch.

This is one taken on 30 Sept 1940 from Lt. Kirchner whose Me-109e was shot down during the Battle of Britain.

OK, here is a pilot badge by Junker. Compared to the photos of one in the database, this looks OK. The only thing I'm not sure about is the marking.

One of my handicaps is not having originals against which to compare these others. In the interim, I hope you guys don't get tired of my inquiries.

Ian

John,

This is the kind of stuff I need. From what I see, the wreath is too thin, the arrow is also thin, the maker's mark is wrong, and the punched-out triangles are sized wrong. Please continue to teach me!

Thanks,

Ian

What are the problems with the fighter clasp?

Ian