2dresq

Here are some new additions. Batch 2. I realize that there are duplicates. But they are duplicates in my collection. That's right, I have duplicates. 😎

These tradition badges are flooding the markets. As many of these were made rather crudely, and with resources out there showing designs of these, anyone with a smattering of metal and art can create a piece like this and state the "provenance". They are probably the easiest item for someone to create and pass off as "original". Many in the collecting world know this and will always with skepticism treat these as post war created replicas. You might never get your money back. If you are happy with the item, then that is what is important. Don't invest because you think it will appreciate in value; collect for the love of the item and it's history. I love Unterseeboot collecting, there are other items that you can acquire like Mützenband from the various Uboats. I for one have found this extremely satisfying and really is not too expensive relatively speaking. The construction of the tallies makes it incredibly hard to duplicate, with a little training, you can spot the forgeries from the real deal. Best Regards, JustinG

I did a bit of research and there are two different designs for the RAO. However, I am stuck trying to figure out when the change occurred for the eagle design. Can anyone help me? Best Regards, JustinG

I find it interesting that the first one shown (Started the thread) (JBFloyd) seems to have a Brandenburg eagle appearance. This is not seen on other examples of the RAO. At least in my experience. The stamping J.Godet looks a bit strange in my humble opinion as well. Best Regards and Merry Christmas chaps. JustinG

Well, I have three Prinz Eugen tallies. I picked up a lovely tellermütze recently. It doesn't have the national cockade or the eagle as this was a hat that was used during the war and also post war, from the crew that helped sail the Kriegsmarine Prinz Eugen to become the USS Prinz Eugen. Here is my Tellermütze

Greetings, Here is a photo postcard showing the wappen for the Torpedoboot Grief (Griffin) My guess is exactly what Simi, said, that it would most likely be from the Mine layer Drache. I haven't seen the Gustav Becker markings on any foreign (Non-German) ships. (but that is not saying too much for someone in the field for only a decade or so. Nice piece though. JustinG

I agree, great set of family photos. Thanks for posting/sharing. Best Regards, JustinG

I appreciate you checking out my collection and the other fine examples posted here. One of my favorite aspects of collecting. Sometimes it seems like an underappreciated area of collecting. Best Regards, JustinG

Thanks for sharing this. Very nice. Best Regards, JustinG

Funny how when you are looking for something for such a long time and then another one comes along. They are like hens teeth though. Much like the Prinz Eugen tallies. They are few and far between. Really interesting to see both a cotton and metal thread version of this ship. BTW. This is the last named ship that had a tally constructed, before the OKM issued orders to produce only Kriegsmarine tallies for security purposes.

Here is mine from the East Asia squadron from WW1. Best Regards, JustinG

Greetings, I see you have posted in this topic as well. This has some great examples and also some precautionary warnings from members about these tradition badges. I am posting the link in-case some members don't know of this particular thread existence. Here you will see some examples of peoples tradition badges from their collections. Bottom line, if you are happy with the item, then that is what is important. Best Regards, JustinG

Great pictures Eric, thank you for posting/sharing. Is the minesweeper an epoxy or ceramic? What is the base material? Best Regards, JustinG

I really hope you are getting these at reproduction prices. These badges are highly faked because many were onboard production using metal like brass or tin, crudely made in most cases. Without provenance, you will never likely recoup your costs if you are paying what some of these items might be worth. The stone cup is pure fantasy IMHO. The pin has so much detailing. I feel that someone onboard would never have had the time to keep the mustache and cut out the space between shoulder and mustache, or that this detail would have survived being worn on a cap without snapping off. The Georg Hogel book made it great for anyone with a rough idea of metal works to attempt to create castings of these awards. Please be very careful with these emblem/wappen. Best Regards, JustinG