Steve K.

One rivet looks to have been re-tightened, but that doesn't bother me!

I haven't added a Pilot's Badge to my collection in nearly 3 years, but I couldn't pass on this one. If only I could find a early Deumer, I would be closer to nirvana

Not something I collect but they just seem to accumulate over the years. Here's one that you don't see often....

It would make for a great fishing weight to hold the lines down. Other than that, I see no use for it. It has no features of an original Assmann!

"....Very hard to find, but they are out there in both buntmetal and zinc." And aluminum, although these are even more rare (and unfortunately not in my collection).

Nan Su A Superior quality example. Very hard to find! I wish I owned one of this quality! Steve

Superior details in both buntmetal and zinc. I would expect nothing less from Assmann badges. Has anyone seen a flak badge in aluminum or cupal? If so, was it an Assmann? I have never seen one in aluminum. Steve

For years I've only collected these 2x and 3x bars. It's nice to see I'm not the only one!! Love to see the Strelitzer Cross before the Schwerin !! A beautiful bar from my favorite duchy!!

Heiko You are correct. There are 2 blue stripes along the side on #4 ribbon. I was hopeful this would be a long service award. My reference library does not contain the OEK yet! It appears I need one!! Any thoughts on the last ribbon??

Can anyone help me identify the last two ribbons on this Hannoverian Bar? As I see it they are: 1. Hannover Royal Guelphic Order 2. Hannover Order of Ernst August 3. Langensalza Battle 1866 4. ? 5. ? (Oldenburg?) Thanks, Steve Photos courtesy of Detlev Niemann

ZOW!!!! With the picture? Do you have his name? If so...that makes it even better!

Coming back from a few US Militaria Shows in the past 2 weeks, I no longer know what to think about prices. They were off the charts!! I rarely sell my Militaria, and when I do, I offer it at a price close to MY original purchase price or even just below. I don?t follow THE Market price! I?m not looking to make a profit. I?m just looking to make enough to turn it into other militaria that I enjoy. A self-propagating hobby! However, at the shows, I found it difficult to sell a simple IAB at $80 but watched questionable IABs and other badges sell at a dealer?s table nearby for nearly double my price. But hey??they had 8 tables and really cool banners!! So what do I think about pricing and buying???It?s all a matter of comfort. Most buyers are comfortable buying from BIG dealers because ?everyone does it, so it must be good stuff? and I?m sure they are thinking ?this price MUST be at the known Market price? and not seriously inflated. Yeah, right!! I think only the experienced collectors can go through each table or website and buy pieces that fit their collection without asking second opinions. These type of collectors that buy based on experience/knowledge will know good pieces and buy at almost any price without hesitation. Those that buy on ?comfort? have to pay the dealer?s higher prices (and they usually do, because most people want to be comfortable!). I think the table banners flying overhead really help people feel comfortable about forking over the dough!! (Another misconception about pricing is: low price = fake ? but that?s another issue!)

One more....

Chris I can believe that. Still would like to know When and What unit! "When" may be determined by the Drago marks...What unit will remain the most difficult aspect. Steve

Bob, Thanks. It is the 511th PIR oval. The moths have had a go at the light blue wool in the center of the oval. Here is another link to ID oval colors and shows WWII era ovals as examples: http://www.angelfire.com/md2/patches/other/airborne2.html Mine is an exact match to the 511 shown there!! Thanks to all that helped

More..... Most are 2 inches in height by 1.25 inches wide.

Thanks Bob...I've been getting all types of suggestions but haven't been able to pin it down yet!!

I've been told this is for the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment which fought at Leyte and jumped on Luzon in 1945. Can anyone verify that this is their colored oval. Thanks, Steve

Eric, Wonderful!! Near Mint!! Steve

Jan Arne Yes, I saw it. It would not be something for my collection! Steve

I'm looking for information concerning beret badges from the First Indo-China War 1945-1954. Is there a reference book that can help identify these badges shown below - Who,When and Where on the uniform they were worn. I believe they were for berets but I'm not certain.....All are Drago marked. I've been told there is a chronology for the DRAGO marked insignia.....this would also be helpful as I have found nothing on the web. These are most likely Vietnamese badges made by the French maker Drago...however I think units wearing these badges were fighting for the French. Any help would be appreciated.

Nice JFS Para.......super rare!! I've never had a chance to own one!! @Mark, My Alu. Assmann Para came from Philippe.....probably the same one from a few years ago. The purchase almost fell through based on poor emailing/translations. @Eric, Thanks for the compliment!! @JTW, Super Sweet GWL!!! One that has eluded me for too long!!!

Hello I got this set in a trade recently. I'm not sure which group this may have been.....any help IDing this unit would be appreciated. Steve

Tough question. The only way to know for sure is to have chronological production data direct from the company's historical records to support the uniqueness of the maker's mark and wreath. Are there other known badges with the A&S mark? Are their dates of production known? Looking at just the Eagle alone.......I would not be comfortable calling this THE first pattern Assman pilot badge just based on the unusual maker's mark attached to it, just as I wouldn't call "CEJ" marked badges exclusively "first pattern" over other Juncker marked badges. These types of unusual marks may have been concurrent with other marks. Again, chronological production data will define these periods. I think if I were being conservative, I would call it a variant of the first pattern pilot badge by Assmann since the eagle has not changed in form (or has it?), but has been married to an unusual wreath (prototype). Why the wreath is different in shape...that's a stumper. Is it just the shape that is different or are the leaf segments unique in number, size, shape, etc.? Are there other badges known to have the wreath's unique shape? However, I'm not a conservative in this respect, and I like to keep an open mind. Plus, you can not just look at the eagle alone. Wreath structures are often overlooked. This 'egg-shaped' wreath may have been a transition from the 'oblong' First pattern Juncker-made P/O 1935 (eagle clutching the swas attached to the wide wreath). Looking at the badge 'en toto', given all its unique characteristics, I would be completely content to call this THE First Pattern Assmann Pilot badge! BTW -- That is one of the most stunning P/O badges I have ever seen! Wonderful! Now I'm jealous!!

Jacques Is the picture dated on the back?? Steve