all1knew

Hello all,

What a great treat is has been to view these uniforms from collections all over the world.

William Kramer

Hello there,

Can't comment on the number but the lid is one hell of a looker!

William Kramer

Hello all,

Came across this one today and it is in salty condition as it has been munched on by a mouse and some moths. Can anyone put a value to this thing? I've searched all over the Net for a dealer with one for sale but came up empty, perhaps if you know a link that would be nice if it got posted. Anyone know where I could get a replacement eagle/cockade and what would you recommend I do with the cap tally that has been eaten, leave it as is or have it replaced? I am thinking I'd just let it be as it isn't that bad and is original to the cap.

Please let me know either way. Thank you.

William Kramer

Hello there,

Even with the fake "repair" to the hinge it still doesn't make this one authentic.

William Kramer

Hello there,

What other badges did BECO produce? They look to be of a decent quality.

William Kramer

Troy,

I suggest you take a look at some of the authentic badges here:

http://wehrmacht-awards.com/war_badges/kriegsmarine/auxiliary_cruiser_badge.htm

This is just a small sample for comparison but surely you can see a degree of quality differences in the craftsmanship.

William Kramer

Hello there,

It looks original to me.

William Kramer

Hello there,

The badge posted isn't even close to an original. To the untrained eye the first glaring irregularity is the pin and catch.

William Kramer

Hello there,

That helmet doesn't stand a chance of being authentic.

William Kramer

Hello there,

There isn't a thing that I like about this helmet and the decal looks totally fake. I believe the whole item to be made-up.

William Kramer

PS ! I have had it under UV light , and front is not glimming .

But on back just where the thread that goes around the tabs is cut .

it is something that glimming inside the thread , but not the thread outside .

Jan Arne

Hello there,

I don't like it, has this been posted anywhere else on the Net?

William Kramer

A friend, who is a collector of German militaria, has acquired the pair of unidentified shoulder straps shown below. The stamp on the underside may read "2nd Panzer Ersatz Div", or something similar. They are unlike any shoulder straps he has seen previously. Can anyone identify them?

One possibility is that they are not German at all. The straps surfaced in South Africa and South African troops in World War II wore orange shoulder straps, although the only ones I have seen were made of felt. If they are indeed South African, perhaps a captured stamp was used to embellish an otherwise plain part of uniform.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Brett

Brett,

What purpose would that stamp serve on the shoulder-boards? Looks fantasy to me.

William Kramer

Hello there,

I think this has about zero chance of being original. Does it come from the same source as the SS helmet posted?

William Kramer

Hello there,

While the organization existed I believe this armband to be fantasy.

William Kramer

Hello there,

Most impressive, what's the tunic look like now with a visor displayed?

William Kramer

Hello there,

I have yet to see a fake with that reverse weave.

William Kramer

Hello there,

I don't trust this one.

William Kramer

Hello there,

Looks legit if you ask me!

William Kramer

Hello there,

I don't know what the verdict was on the other forum but I don't like ANY of them. I believe they are all reproductions, the last one might have a chance.

William Kramer

Hello there,

That is a quite seldom encountered maker, nice badges!

William Kramer

Hello there,

I have never seen that style of reverse pin on an authentic produced ribbon bar before.

William Kramer

Hello all,

My opinion goes to the medal bar being authentic and period put-together. It isn't textbook by any means but it doesn't look made-up either.

William Kramer

Hello there,

I think the hardware looks period.

William Kramer

Looks great Dan, it is pretty minty! I have one almost exactly the same, but with a more beat up ribbon.

Later,

Pat

Agreed, and an early buntmetal piece as opposed to the later-war zinc version that loses its finish over time.

William Kramer

Hello there,

I would like to voice my opinion. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with this cross, ZERO.

It is an awarded decoration that has developed great patina that could never be faked.

William Kramer