michael smith

Absolutely not ! Found on some but by no means all. Even the better copies have several subtle differences between them and the originals which are more valid tests of originality than these lines.

Unfortunately in todays collecting climate features like this are often seized on as absolute evidence one way or the other and good pices condemned as a result.

Do you have any pics of the badge ?

Thanks very much for the reply Gordon,on another forum this die flaw is cosidered to be the bechmark for genuine,or fake.I trust the gentleman i bought it from and he as a cast iron money back guarantee if it is not genuine.I dont beleive i can send phot,s, because i am still a prob.member. Many thanks Gordon.

Hope someone can answer a question for me.Do all schwerin 1st. pat. e.boat badges have the diagonal die flaw on the rear of the award,or did some not have it.I have an e.boat award bought from a respected dealer in york. for a considerable sum.Which was sold as genuine a few years ago.Now i am wondering.

Regards Mike.

Mike

There's a guy out in the wirral who does some polishing, he will be a good person to talk to about it.

i will dig out his name and number and get it to you

the term is Shin Gunto, showa is the japanese period prior to Meiji, a sword from that period is Showato

cheers

chris

Thanks for theadvice Les.regards Mike.

Mike,

Japanese swords have layers of hard and soft steel, and a tempered edge. Trying to straighten one would be tricky and in the process the sword could develop a crack during the process.

The first thing to do is know whether the sword is (1) historically important enough to justify having the work done, and (2) if it's an expensive item.

If it's a relatively cheap "Showa" or "Showa-gunto", or mass produced sword made for NCO's or officers who might not have been able to carry a family heirloom (more than two or three sons in the service and that could happen), then there's a way to do it at home.

Finish on Japanese swords is highly prized, but on a cheap one, you're not risking a great deal if you try getting two long blocks of a relatively soft well-seasoned wood without sap or moisture, putting the stripped down blade between the blocks and very slowly putting pressure on both sides towards the center at the same time.

You won't get the "kink" out entirely because bent metal often develops a "ridge" or line. Even when flattened out, there might be a slight shaow or discolored area in the metal due to it being flexed one way, and then back the other.

If the blade fits in the "saya" or scabbard without having to force it....I'd leave everything alone even if taking the blade out and putting it back over time has left a scuffed metal surface. Polishing the surface to remove any imperfection afterwards is always "iffy." The surface temper pattern and damascus type finish will be altered and you'll get whatever is under the surface, and possibly an entirely new pattern you (or collectors) might not like...or worse yet, carbon pockets, flaws, hidden breaks not seen on the surface, etc.

That doesn't say who to go to, but you might try contacting the commercial or cultural attache at the Japanese Embassy (or a consulate) and ask if they know of any sword shows "back home" and for people you could contact directly. If at all possible, try not to send the sword to Japan for any contemplated work. Most often swords get returned, but if a culturally important sword gets sent to Japan, there have been cases where it wasn't returned.

Les

Looking for help with regardto following.A friend of mine has a Japanese officers sword,which he liberated from Singapore after the war.Unfortunately,it was slightly bent in transit,would anyone have any ideas,or are aware of anyone able to carry out straightening work.

Best regards.

Mike.

Hi,

Try this site: http://www.gliderpilotregiment.org.uk/index.html

Regards

Arthur

Thanks for your help Arthur,my father was a sargeant in the reg.and i am trying to learn a little of what it must have been like.

rgards Mike.

Hi everyone.

Looking for info. on glider pilot reg.I beleive it was founded by W.Churchill from ex.army personnel,in 1941.Could someone enlighten me please.

Regards,M.Smith

Hi everyone.

My father was an aircraft rigger in the glider pilot reg. during the war and became a sargeant,ido not know what this entailed.and would be interested in any info.My parents divorced after the war and i lost touch.I do not know if he is still alive but his name was James Smith.

many thanks in advance

Mike Smith

Hi Mike,

An identical plaque was also offered by Regementals about 15 years ago fo ?245.

KR

Peter

Thanks for that info.Peter,i am still trying to get more info.I would be gratefull for any comments.

regards Mike.

Perhaps you could enlighten me on the history of the 3rd u.boat flotilla,Gordon i would be very gratefull.

regards Mike.

I have seen recently on Fallen Eagle website, similar plaque for sale at 325 pounds.In fact it is identical,still hoping someone can enlighten me on origin. Regards Mike.

Thanks for the reply Gordon,this plaque is 3rd. u boat flotilla that was operating in the.Med.Ibeleive they were wiped out ,or were amalgamated into another unit.The 1st pat.badge is a schwerin in mintcondition, the min. is unmarked i picked it up in Camden Passage for 20 pounds.Iam working on the photo.si have much better pictures but i am having probs.reducing the size.

best regards Mike.

Perhaps you could enlighten me on the history of the 3rd u.boat flotilla,Gordon i would be very gratefull.

regards Mike.

I remember having one of these plaques in the dim and distant past, for one of the S-Boot flotillas that operated in the Mediterranean. Don't see them around much these days .

You'd need much better pics for sound opinions on the full size badge. The mini looks nice too, again you don't see the larger S-Boot minis so often now.

Thanks for the reply Gordon,this plaque is 3rd. u boat flotilla that was operating in the.Med.Ibeleive they were wiped out ,or were amalgamated into another unit.The 1st pat.badge is a schwerin in mintcondition, the min. is unmarked i picked it up in Camden Passage for 20 pounds.Iam working on the photo.si have much better pictures but i am having probs.reducing the size.

best regards Mike.

This is a not very good imageof s.boat plaque and 1st pat award with min., could members give me some comment about these awards please. regards Mike.

Welcome to the forum, Michael. If you are having trouble posting pictures email them to me and I will post them for you. Thanks for the reply Bob,i will include further details,e.boat,palm treeand iron cross surmounting map with large red 3 in corner ,eagle swastica ingold,yellow at topof shield,mounted on base 8-3 inches.Hope you can enlighten me. best regards Mike.

Ihave in my collection a shield with a picture of southern europe and the coast of north africa incorparated into it it portrays a first pattern s.boat with an iron cross in the left hand corner,also it is marked 3rd u.boat flotilla.It is mounted on a wooden board.It has been in my family since 1945 when it was aquirewd by an uncle who fought throughout the war ,i would like comments please ,and hopofully i will attach a photo,when i learn how.