Jesse

Has anyone ever seen these 8x60's with and arm mount? Real curious...

Thereby lies the problem with these crew badges. It is virtually impossible to prove originality and in most cases you end up having to go with "gut feeling". The Seahorse for example though, certainly has that look of real wear and age about it and, to me, certainly has nothing about it to suggest it is anything other than good.

As to the badge offered by Thomas Huss, that looks good to me also. Bear in mind that although the "on board" made badges are always rather crude, the enamelled badges were usually contracted out to local badge makers and were almost always of very fine quality.

I recall the box full of original enamel Sawfish badges that were discovered in the stores of a badge maker in France some years back, perfect little pieces and of superior quality. They were donated as a gift to the U-Boot Archiv.

Thanks very much for the input Gordon. I was able to buy one of the green saw fish emblems and the owner had told me that it was from the U-Boot Archive. At the time this was discouraging a bit because I was thinking along the lines of it being a tourist trinket and couldn't understand why they would be selling them. I took the chance anyway.

The enameled badge from Thomas is real puzzling. I can't find any reference in Hogel's book so it probably rules it out as a U-Boat badge. My best guess is E-Boat or something. Any ideas where or how I could carry on the research on this one?

Thanks Much always Gents - Jesse

I've had this emblem for a while. Not sure if this is period or a postwar piece. It's got the '800' stamped on the back.....any thoughts?

This emblem is mentioned in Georg Hogel's book "U-Boat Emblems of World War II" on pg.34. Hogel wrote :" Crew 37 b * Author: This symbol was characterized by the saying, 'First win, then marry! ' ". - (Some saying for the war effort is my best guess?)

The blade across the feather was used by alot of boats according to the book, but without the horizontal bar beneath both. Just a guess but maybe the bar and pin were added to an original emblem post war in order for it to be worn? The emblem looks good to my eyes but the pin and 3 prong attachment to the bar looks to be more modern?

These are always difficult to determine as everyone has said. So much info has been lost and will remain that way I guess. However real interesting and addicting to this collector... .

I've just been offered this emblem...any thoughts would be appreciated.

KR.....Peter

Just my immediate thoughts are that it looks to "clean" or new. The edges are a little to crisp for me and the metal too uniform. Tough always though with these. Its been a while since you posted did you already decide? Maybe you have more pictures or info on it by know?

Hope it worked out - Jesse

Any thoughts on this one Gents. I've never seen the symbol but might roll the dice...

Jesse,

Sorry to hear that you may need to sell some of your collection. The next "West Coast Historical Militaria Collector's Show" is May 6-7 at the LA County Fairgrounds. Here is the link to the details. LA Militaria Show . Let me know when you'll be there and hopefully we can hook up.

Best,

Erik

Thanks very much Erik. I'll send you a PM with phone # before the show. If I do have to sell anything I'll let you get a look first.

Have a good week - Jesse

Tradition badge for U-237. I just picked this up yesterday at our LA County twice-yearly militaria show. The seller is a well-known KM collector who said he originally purchased the badge still sewn on to a cap, but the cap was so moth-eaten that he had to throw it away. Fortunately, the badge survived...

Hello Erik, Do you remember the name of the show in LA county were you picked up the badge? I live in the area and am looking to attend. As much as I hate too, I may be selling some of my collection. I would of course like to attend this year as well.

Thanks Much and nice badge - Jesse

Check out a movie called "One Of Our Aircraft Is Missing", a British film from 1942 as it includes one of these German rescue buoy's.

Dan

Thanks Dan. Good to see this thread still going, these were interesting.

Heres's a "YOUTUBE" link for the whole moive. Merry Christmas Guys - Jesse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBueIQSltMI

These Panzer-Pioneer collar tabs are quite scarce on the market, so you have a good catch, in particular when it is complete!

If you like, I can keep an eye open for a genuine Panzer skull here on a German militaria fair, I expect that the price won't put you off (between 10 and 20 Euros).

Thanks Much Odulf, that nice of you. Please don't go out of your way but if you do stumble accross a good one I would send you payment..

I'll send you a p[rivate message with more info. Let me know also what you are collecting, I'll keep my eyes open here in California...you never know.

I came across this topic and noticed the dimensions of the item. Does the size equal the size of a Panzer collar tab (ca 7-7.5 x 3.5 cm) and does it have the piercings where a Panzer skull may have been attached? If so, it cold it be an early collar tab of a Panzer-Pioneer as worn between 1940 and 1942?

Thanks For the reply.

It measures 7x4 cm and has two holes on the back that are parellel and centered to the ends. The holes are 2 cm apart. Tough to tell with these..... I'll have to now buy an early collar tab Skull to see if it fits OHHH-NO hahhahaha

I recently bought a ships clock from Hamburg. The story from the owner is the following : "Among the non-spectacular history. My grandpa was a carpenter and has Repaired in Hamburg at the shipyard vessels. He always said that he has been given to the Clock. "

What I'm curious about are the bases there. I believe there were 2 U-Boat pens but what about other surface ships. Does anyone know if Hamburg typically had surface ships based there as well ? I'm trying to see the chances of the clock being on a U-Boat. It is numbered 948 "N" although I don't think the numbers can be traced ?

Thanks Much Gents, I'll get some pictures posted A-Sap

Hungry..............

Here's the second. It too has been on a different thread before.

I was wondering if owners of German made Kriegsmarine overseas caps could post pics of their examples? I am looking for a German made example but I need to know what to look for. Thanks to all--

Let me know if you want to any specific info on stiching, etc. I'm no expert but have these 2 to look over.

The first is a French made one already discussed a bit under "U-67 Side Cap" in the thread

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Wanted to post this cap for the Gents viewing pleasure and thoughts.

I recently bought it from a collector in Florida. I believe it to be a good one. I think its a private purchase cap made in France judging from the label.

From the way this one is constructed, I'd say it is an early Bundesmarine cap before they made the change to white tops for officer visor caps. The top is far too small in comparison to the base when compared to Kriegsmarine caps. RZM tag is of course totally spurious.

Thank you again. I thought possibly it was some type of original parts combined. Just a Frankinstien piece though.

A copy I'm afraid. Doesn't look too bad from the front, but the reverse gives it away. The hinge/pin system is all wrong. If you do a search in this KM forum you should be able to find some examples of genuine pieces. The differences on the reverse will be apparent.

Thanks much Gordon. I did notice the reverse after the posting. All that work and they gave themselves away with that, HAAH - glad it was there to see though.

RZM tag

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