Lee Moore

Thank You Nesredep. I misunderstood your post and thought you were talking about the Air Sea Rescue badge and did not reply.

John, it measures approx 55mm across if I am reading my ruler correctly (just a touch over 2&1/8?). Is the 3.5cm from the Angolia reference or the one that Nesredep cited?

Thanks,

Lee

Thank You to all who have responded.

I agree Paul that it is very much like, and probably trying to be, the civilian stick pin that you posted. The wings are very similar, but the swastika on the pin is placed lower. I have seen one stick pin that had the swastika placed more central like the badge I posted. It was a stamped oval and had the letters ?DL? above the wings and a ?W? below. I have limited knowledge and references of aviation related civil organizations, but I could not find any contemporary photos, with the references I have, of the badge I posted in wear. Paul, when you say that you have seen and handled these in the past, have they been around for awhile? Do you remember when they first started to appear?

I purchased this from a dealer about a year ago and he has a guarantee of originality. In fairness to him, he did not say he knew what it was and did post it on WAF for opinions and identification with little result in identification. I realize that an item can be assessed as original by accepted manufacturing characteristics, materials and consistent traits. Known reproductions can also be assessed through similar means, but how do you prove a fantasy piece? It is like proving a negative. I would like to give him somewhat of a definitive conclusion if I decide to return it. As I can find no known reference book with this included, and apparently none are published/shown in wear with contemporary photos, I am becoming more convinced that these are not of pre-1945 manufacture.

Anyone have any more thoughts or information?

Thanks Again to all,

Lee

3

Rear

Hello All,

Does anyone know what this badge is for? I have been told a few different things. Most think it is a badge for RLM workers or civilian employees. I have been told that there are photos of this in wear in one of the Luftwaffe books by published by Bender (I think in one of the 3 volume set). Anyone have any photos or answers as to who would have worn it?

Thanks,

Lee

Shouldn?t the crown also be taller and the ribbon ends touching the wreath on this version?

I agree Theodor. You would think that it would be maker marked. I wonder if there was a back plate that is missing? Something similar to privately produced Imperial badges that had were hollow in the middle with the weep holes on back. If that is the case, maybe the mark would have been on the backing plate? I am just guessing. It is a very interesting badge.

I guess more than a couple of people were convinced of its authenticity. Sold for $2,300.

Hello All,

What are your thoughts on this badge on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...DME:B:WNA:US:12. The quality looks good, but the seller says this comes from a long time collection. Many of the other wings from the same collection (seller) appear to be re-strikes or cast reproductions, although a few others do look good. It appears (or is trying to appear) to be of German manufacture with the ?silber? marking and the pin hinge set-up. I know this is a rare badge so information is very scarce. Anyone have any thoughts?

Regards,

Lee

Chris,

Those are great badges. Thanks for the close-up and detailed photos. I have not seen a badge like the one on the hat in the last photo before.

Regards,

Lee

A beautiful award. What are they awarded for? Is the new (post communist independence) pilot badge similar to the WWII type? Do you have any photos of the current pilot badge?

Regards,

Lee

I have a few other Estonian badges which are post WW2...like an Eagles Cross 3rd class with documant would you like to see these also?

Chris

It is interesting with the different shield and sword. Yes, I would like to see your others badges as well

Regards,

Lee

Hello Chris

Thanks for the additional photos. As you said, not only a very rare badge, but with its case too. How and where did you find this?

Regards,

Lee

Hello Chris,

A beautiful and very rare badge. Do you have any close-up photos of the shield (is it a seprate piece?) and the sword where the eagle?s claw is? Actually, this is such a rare badge that any close-up photos would be great. I have been attempting to educate myself on these, but there is so little information out there.

Regards,

Lee

Thanks to all for the info.

Regards,

Lee

Hello All,

I know next to nothing about Iron Crosses. I do have one that is ?KO? marked. I remember reading somewhere that KO crosses were ?issue? crosses. Is that correct, and if so, were KO?s also manufactured and issued after the war?

Thanks,

Lee

I have read that the Hungarian Monarchy wanted to have a stronger position in the Austro-Hungarian empire in the later war years. The ?flipping? of the crests would certainly make sense if late/post war. Was the first badge (Observer/Aircrew?) badge always made without the eagle being attached separately? I remember reading somewhere that these badges (AH Aviation) were made and worn through the TR period by WWI veterans who also served in the Luftwaffe.

Thanks,

Lee

Hello Tony

The black lettering is typical of US military stenciling. Also the word order is typical of the US military; ?GAS MASK GERMAN? verses the conversational way, German Gas Mask. I have always assumed that this was used as some type of military training aid or display. Just a guess on my part. I got this in the early 1970?s when I was a kid at a local junk shop, so I suppose it could have been stenciled anytime before that.

Regards,

Lee

They look good to me. The only reproduction I have seen was a bronze torpedo badge. Do you collect these?

Regards,

Lee

Bottom of can named.

Later one

Here is the can. Looks like it was used as some kind of display or training aid?

Here is a early (so I have been told) gas mask. I think the "2" is size. Anyone know what the other stamped letters are for?

Hello Stogieman,

I was hoping I would hear from you on these. I did buy them off that forum. I was mainly after the full size Hungarian badge. I thought the others looked ok when I got them (don?t think the photos show all that well, but they are fairly good quality for the size), but the reversed crests had me a bit confused/concerned. Do you know what the full size Hungarian Pilot badge is referred to as? I have seen it called both a ?1921 Type? and I believe a ?1929 Type?. Not sure if these were official designations or simply collector?s terms. Anyway, good to find you here. I am certain that the membership has and will benefit from your extensive knowledge and assistance.

Thanks,

Lee

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