Richard Gordon

My top 3

I put these two together to see if the eagles were the same. The design is so, so similar but you can see they are not from the same die... Do you think it a co-incidence given that both firms existed in the the same city? Rich

Small Update**** I was trying to research further and came across some info on P/O JH Pickering... He was a BoB veteran and was shot down several times. P/O J.H.T.Pickering of No 66 Squadron was rescued unhurt out of the sea off Aldeburgh on the 30th of August 1940 after being shot down in his Spitfire I (R6715) by return fire from a Do 17 at 17:00hrs. P/O J.H.T.Pickering was injured on the 11th of October 1940 when Spitfire I (X4052) was shot down by Oberst W. M?lders of JG 51 in a Bf 109 over Canterbury at 11:15hrs. Later KIA. PICKERING, P/O J. H. T. 80821 British. 66 Squadron. Killed February 15th 1942 Thanks again to everyone's contributions and comments. If you hear of or see any docs to Otto Stadel, please let me know. Rich

Just to nicely round off this thread... A big BIG thank-you goes out to Dave-B for sending me pics of Stadel's grave. Rich

Thank you all for you comments. Of course, I would love the documents but these are probably lost to time. Rich

This one is early-ish 3.3.1941 constructed of 835 silver. Some details surrounding the recipient: Feldwebel Otto Stadel was a Radio Operator on HE111's flying sorties over England when he was KIA on 27th May 1941, only 3 months after being awarded the Ehrenpokal. On that day he was in HE111 H-8 (G1+AM Wk Nr. 3867) crewed by: (P) Fw. Lorenz Kempel (67019/136) (O) Uffz. Kurt Nuglan (67020/122) (W) Fw. Otto Stadel (67019/69) (FE) Fw. Martin G?bel (Sch./F.A.R.24 Nr. 480) (G) Gfr. Josef Wiederer (4./F.A.R.53 Nr. 359) They were on an armed reconnaissance mission on the English Channel when they were spotted and attacked by 2 spitfires from 66 Squadron, piloted by P/O F. Oliver and P/O J.H. Pickering. Standing no chance against 2 Spitfires, HE111 G1+AM was shot down and crashed into the sea off Gurand's Head, west of St. Ives, Cornwall. Otto Stadel is now buried in the German War Cemetary at Cannock Chase, UK. Grave 266, Block5, row 12. Given that Kampfgeschwader 55 "Greif" were heavily involved in the Battle of Britain, it is highly probable that Fw. Stadel was a BoB veteran. Rich

For those of you who have not already seen it , I'd like to share with you all a huge milestone in my collection. I've wanted a goblet for years but financially it was out of my reach until now.

Jacques, good work but I ask this question... Was it not the case that a famous pilot did not receive the SC with diamonds, only the gold class and kicked up a fuss and then later G?ring presented this pilot with a diamond SC? If true, could this have happened with Von Thoma? Rich

Here's my example. Not marked 24 but marked with the acorn on the little ring.

Thanks for the compliments. I kind of thought you'd like it. @ Glenn : The 2 are virtually identical externally but as you mention except for the strap, painted metal and the spike is a different shape. Any signs that your's ever had the strap from spike to hinge? Rich

And the exterior for your interest. Anyone know for sure what it would have originally contained? Rich

Here's something I've had for some time that I never got around to photographing. I couldn't say for sure if it's really for an EK1 but it does fit...just. Maybe for a prinzen or something else but for now this will do.

I have to agree with John. Rich

Steve Shouldn't that difficult...just take a normal piece, leave it in silver dip for a while and hey presto! All silver badge!

I don't see anything unusual... looks standard as far as the early Assmann's go.

Here you go. Name is on the wreath top-right. Rich

I think these spangen where produced for a longer period tha you might think. See the foot of the '1' for a flaw, not always found. Also, I know of an example in zinc! Rich

Thanks, John. Yes, this past few months I have added several top badges after a very long dry spell. Doesn't rain but it pours, eh? Rich

New FJ addition for my collection.

Steve Could you provide some pics detailing the catch and hinge? Thanks Rich

Matthias, Looking at your additional pictures on your website, I notice some features that support the badge being early: 'A' on the wreath not the eagleSpace between the hinge ground outRivets look aluminium (therefore I deduce the eagle is too)I used to have one just like it but could not decide what timeframe this combination came in. Thanks to you, now I know. Regards Rich P.S. You have a very nice website!

Matthias Very nice Assmann you have posted. Thanks for the complements on the photography. I am no expert and use no special techniques! I take my photos in natural light near a large window (my back to the window so the badge receives as much light as possible) and use black velvet as my background. My camera is an Olympus C-765 UltraZoom (4.0 Megapixels). I use a small tripod that I got from a local camera shop that cost ?10. That's it! I take 4-5 pictures and vary the settings on each and hope for the best. Regards Rich

Just adding the Aluminium version to compare. Same dies? Rich

Eric I'm in that club too!

Congratulations on obtaining your rare badge. That was some update that it was in and quite a few shared the spoils! Rich