Joe D

Hi Joe,

Those are a beautiful and rare set of tabs. Very nice pieces.

Like Paul, I, too, am in need ot a set like these!

Gary B

Hi Gary,

These came in the same group as the Engineer tabs I sold you.

Joe

Engineer

Hey, these look familiar.

Thanks Paul,

This is what the shield looks like in natural light. I actually owe a big thanks to Pascal H. for locating this shield for me. Most of my knowledge on these came from Frank H. and Pascal H. Also, I cannot wait for Pascal's new book!

Joe

PS: No hard feelings Vince, I hope we can back up and start out on the right foot.

Backside

Looks like this set has not been posted yet.

Wow Sasha,

You have a "good eye" for nice original badges! Thanks for sharing.

Joe

Hi Joe,

The clearer photos you have submitted of your fake shield just cement my findings. I guess we will have just agree to disagree. When you have been doing this as long as I have been you will know that opinions are like buttocks. Everyone has one, and unfortunately some stink. Besides you should not feel too bad about collecting fakes, that's how we learn.

Happy Hunting!

Alright Vince,

I give up! If you choose not to learn so be it. Your right, we are all entitled to our own opinions.

Joe

Rude is not at all what that was. This is a just perfect example of a person (you) who has no idea what you are talking about telling someone (me) an unsubstantiated claim that their item is a fake. Your's sir is the fake, and I will list the reasons why so you can compare them side by side to see what I am talking about.

1. The lower section of the laurel wreath containing the swastika is flattened and does not show the clear detail as seen on my example. Poor workmanship found on known cast fakes.

2. The letters N, R, & K are flawed. Common in known cast fakes.

3. The edelweiss flower has no sharp details as can be found on mine, another sign of poor casting.

4. The upper corner near the number 40 has a casting flaw, extra material commonly found on poorly cast fakes.

5. The steam of the edelweiss flower is also not clearly defined as is the upper section of the anchor, again the sharp details found on real pieces has these details where your cast copy does not.

6. The center of the propeller is not a clearly defined hollow circle, again a perfect example of a cast fake.

7. The rings on the propellers are also not sharply defined, a casting fault.

8. The entire right side of your cast badge below the word NARVIK is loaded with extra material and lacks the sharp details as found on original pieces.

9. The rope on the anchor shows no fine details in regards to the twisted rope as found on correct pieces.

I could go on buy frankly I find this an exercise in futility. Details my friend, details! If they are not there is a poorly cast copy. I suggest you place the photos side by side and read my notes. When a side by side comparison is done there is other conclusion a knowledgeable person can come to other than yours is a poorly cast copy.

I have been doing this for over 40 years now and unfortunately do take offense when someone who has no idea of what they are talking about has the gall to call one of my items a fake.

I hope this will help you in your quest for knowledge. You need it! If you think this is rude you need to grow up. Just for your information, the members on this forum are some of the most knowledgeable people in this hobby. It is just common courtesy and respect not to snipe at other peoples property and try to justify it by saying I was just trying to help. No one appreciates it and when you have no idea of what you are talking about it reflects poorly on you.

There will be no charge for this lesson!

Hi Vince,

Have the clearer pictures changed your opinion on this shield or are you going to stand by these comments?

Thanks,

Joe

What is the verdict on this badge?

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

Hi,

The shield that started this thread is the "small 4 fake".

Here are all my Luft backed shields. Unfortunately, I do not have the elusive Luft backed Cholm shield. I just missed one a couple of years ago.

Backside

This is a 100% real zink plated piece by an unknown maker. This piece is where the "small 4 fake" derived from.

One more close-up

Close-up

This forum only allows me to upload 65K. Here is the best picture I can come up with.

Yes, I guess that means that there is only one manufacturer! That is why I no longer collect badges. There are 1000 fakes for every real one, and no one has the fakes!

End of story here Gents!

All the shields posted on this thread are good except for yours. Also, for an individual who has been collecting for 40 years you sure have posted many fakes in the last week. Who are you to judge me?

The Narvik shield that started this post is often referred to as the "small 4 fake". I will try to post better pictures of mine. In the meantime you can read this thread, it pretty much sums up my point.

http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/sho...highlight=small

No need to be rude. I am only trying to help. This is what a real one looks like from this maker.

Sorry, this is a well known fake.