J Temple-West

Although original, and a piece of history that the recipient was probably very proud to wear, it is now worth very little due to the repairs. If you were to purchase the badge and, at some stage in the future decide to sell...I don't think you would get much interest. My advice would be to save your money and find an example of a pilot's badge that is complete and holds the value of investment.

Poor puddy tat.

Wonderful pieces, Robin.... I'm a sucker for wood carvings, and that one is Superb..."Black forest" I take it?

Niiice, Robin. Now, I know you have an example by Rosenthal....any chance of getting ye olde camera out?

Just in is this example of the "Bamberger Reiter" in terracotta from the Karlsruhe majolica factory. A war-time produced piece depicting the head of the medieval statue found in the Cathedral of Bamberg, Germany. Adopted by the Nazis, and in particular by Heinrich Himmler's SS, as a symbol of Nordic purity and German sprit.examples of the Bamberger Reiter were produced by a number of war-time porcelain manufacturers, such as Rosenthal, but interestingly not by Allach. The Karlsruhe Majolica factory is the only ceramic factory in Germany which has survived every political and economic crisis of the last century and is still running today. It was founded in 1901 by the painter Hans Thoma and his friend Wilhelm Süs. Since it was founded, the factory has responded to nearly all trends and events in cultural and art history from historicism and art nouveau to expressionism, constructivism, New Objectivity, Domestic Revival and art of the National Socialist period, to the tendencies of the 1950s and 1960s and finally to the current trends in art. In 1924, during the Great Depression, the state of Baden took charge of the company and had to intervene several times to prevent the Staatliche "Majolika-Manufaktur Karlsruhe AG" (National Majolica Manufactory Karlsruhe Inc.) as it is now called, from closing down permanently. During the Nazi period, modern artistic motifs were replaced by traditional ones. Apart from ceramics for usage and decoration the factory produced busts of Hitler, the eagle of the Third Reich, the swastika and symbols such as the Bamberger Reiter. As a result, the factory experienced great economic growth. In 1944, the factory was destroyed during allied bombing raids, but was rebuilt after the wars end. The statue of the "Bamberger Reiter" in the Cathedral of Bamberg, Germany. Ironically, the statue may also have provided a kind of chivalric inspiration for Claus Graf von Stauffenberg, the officer who attempted to assassinate Hitler in 1944. Stauffenberg joined the elite Bamberger Reiter 17th cavalry regiment, and came to be called the Bamberger Reiter himself because of a perceived resemblance to the statue. Seen here is part of a large building eagle, produced by the company, during a recent exhibition at the factory...the mould must have been absolutely massive!

Had a knock at the door yesterday evening and found an elderly neighbour on the doorstep.... "Been having a clear out of the attic, found this... and knowing you collect this stuff thought you would want it. Picked it up three days after the liberation" Nice that it's a local piece. many thanks, Jack.

Funnily enough, I was offered an 1870 not long ago and started doing some research....quite a minefield! It turned out to be a fake, but during research process I came across this page...hopefully it will give some insight. http://www.medalnet.net/Iron_Cross_1870.htm

My copy of the Assmann catalogue is also without the prices page... Sorry not to be able to help.

Morning, Joe.... Nice Juncker badges you have there.. thanks for posting them. "full of history"...indeed. If only they could talk!

No problems with this hollow back, die stamped example that I can see.... Being in such fine condition, it would have to be an unissued piece or very seldom worn.

A nice original, maker marked example. Looks like it may have the start of a little zinc pest around the eyelet which a little application of vaseline would sort out.

Looks good to me.

I agree...

What a nice find, Tom.. I like the way Deumer zinc badges fade to that light lemon colour...so typical.

Nicely done, Mike... Reminds me of a day when whilst having one of the many German bunkers open, during the summer months for visitors, this elderly gentleman came in and asked to see a certain part of the complex. His accent gave him away as being German and raised the level of intrigue. On entering the room he wanted to see he pointed to a small drawing of a 'Fleur-de-lis' (something we had always wondered about) on the concrete wall and said "I drew that when stationed here...I never thought it would survive". After that, many hours were spent getting as much information as possible on his time here in the islands during the occupation.

Deutscher Volkssturm armband.

Reichs Luftschutz Bund (RLB) Leader's Armband.

S A sports armband.

Luftwaffe recognition armband worn by aircrew.

Hitler Youth Member

Recruiting Service.

The following two were for civilian workers attached to the "Wehrmacht".

A wider example of the standard NSDAP Party armband for the use on an overcoat.

Standard NSDAP Party Armband.

Civilian Worker's (attached to SS) Armband.