J Temple-West

Late one piece type.

Reverse.

Welcome to the club, Sandstorm. Before I make any comments on your badge, could you let us have a full frontal picture of the eagle and one of the hinge. These unmarked LGAB?s are certainly accepted as original? However, as with everything in our collecting field, there are copies about. There are two types of original badge by this maker. The earlier type is heavily plated and has a separate catch soldered to the wreath (picture one). 2. The late type is of one piece construction with the hinge and catch being part of the die. The wreath is, if there?s any left, frosted. (picture two) I notice that the one you show has a replacement catch, showing remnants of the original catch. This could be a good sign, or bad. More detailed pictures will help. In the meantime, here are the types, one and two. Do some comparisons and see if they match your badge. First up... The earlier plated type.

Hi Tom, As with the Luftwaffe badges, these are copies/fakes. I would contact the seller and ask for a refund. Sorry, once again, for the bad news.

Hi Tom, Firstly... A big official welcome to the club... and yep, you've cracked the resizing.. I've moved your posts here, to the correct section, so that members will have the chance to give some opinions these badges. In my opinion, and I know it's not a nice way to start off, these are all cast copies. Going on the reverse setup (hinge/catch) they all look to be from the same fakers. What's the story behind this group? Where did you get them, and is there a chance of returning them for a refund?

With your most excellent collection and photographic expertise! No problem. As a bit of fun, here?s the page of August. Now all you need is a fridge magnet.

Powerful, Rich. Perhaps we should produce a club calendar? This one could be ?A? for April.

Nope, no corresponding marks on the back, definitely part of the die. I?ll take some pix as soon as I get a min.

Hi Kev, As requested, I?ve moved the thread here to the correct section. If memory serves, silver bars were issued should there be multiple bars worn on a ribbon, although multiple bronze bars were often worn due to the lack of knowledge of Rumanian regulations. Trawling through some sites searching for conformation on this, I came across a Rumanian citation to a member of the German forces for the medal and bar for the Crimean campaign (Bottom of the page) http://axis101.bizland.com/RomanianAwards01.htm Hope it helps.

And may it grow even larger...

I heard the good news, and good news it is.

It must be said that there are still two schools of thought on these ?A, L/64? marked Assmann Para?s 1. That they are late war examples. 2. That they were produced post-war for the allied troops. I would say, and this is only a theory, that both are true. I believe that Assmann produced these badges at war?s end and continued the assembly of parts (albeit for a short period), post-war. I was once told by an old die-hard collector that examples only finished (gilded or painted) to the obverse of the eagle are post-war.... This would make sense due to the shortage of materials etc, and is something that?s stuck in my mind over the years. As for this one, Kev? I would have no problem having it in my collection.

Hi Adam, I can find nothing on "Krim/Stavanger"... However, from what I remember, these KuFlGr seaplane units flew either He 115's or Do 18's. Not much help I'm afraid. I'll do a little more research and see what I can come up with.

Hi Dave, According to the sources I can find on Richard Schimpf, his position with the ?Aerial photography and survey services? at the Reich Air ministry lasted from 1st March 1936 until 25th March 1940 when he then transferred to the staff of the Luftwaffe General assigned to Army Group ?A? in preparation for the invasion of France and the Lowlands. What information do you have on his involvement with the ?L C??

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showforum=101 Follow the link and you'll see the section for "Heer Documents"

Reverse.

Yet another..

As requested...

The answer... The one with the "difference" has a swas with symmetrical arms. The vast majority of these badges have the wide right-hand arm, zinckers having the most pronounced form. A modified or repaired die? This maker certianly had problems, going on the die flaws and cracks found. Anyway, This is the reason I bought the worn one with symmetrical 'what-its'. Nothing special, but seldom seen.

...But can you spot the difference on this one? Other than the crud, wear and cracking (A normal characteristic) to the wreath.

OK, Ricy.... here's a sister to your badge...Same die flaws, wide right-hand swas' arm etc.

And so you should be, Ricardo. An extremely nice example! Congratulations...

Here?s a truly abused example. Note that the fletching to the lower jaw is still visible, showing that this must have been a very early strike. Such a pity!!

reverse..

my one and only..