J Temple-West

Many thanks to all

Gives me a good starting place.....just what was needed.

Portrait of a pilot, dated 29th March 1944....

Unfortunately I can't make out the rest.  Can anyone help?

I have to say that I don't like this one very much.

The lack of anti-slip spiral on the pin, and overall softness/lack of detail of the eagle, is a worry.

I think you're right, Paul... an original in silver in very nice condition.

What unit was the relative in? 

Morning, Dennis

It looks like an original to me....

Regarding; "as you can see from the picture that was posted by the seller the clasp is missing and had at one time been badly soldered on, why bother trying to solder a broken clasp back on if the medal was a replica, it could easily be replaced?"

believe me, fakers and unscrupulous sellers of fakes will try anything to pass a fake off as an original.  Taking a fake (either old or new) and making it look like it has a period repair is only one of the many methods used to fool the unwary.

Oh, the joys of collecting.

A classic example you have there, Paul..... and I thought you were selling the collection before the move north?

So, the question is; how does one get over the 'collecting bug'?

Not a bad starting point, but I think that you could push for a little more.

Good morning, Auckland...and welcome to the forum.

Going on these pics I would say that you have an original Luftwaffe Observer's badge by the maker Gebrüder Wegerhoff, Lüdenscheid (GWL).

And yes, you are right….GWL pieces are highly sort after, and can be expensive…but it’s all about condition. The missing reverse hardware is going to seriously affect the value.

That having been said, It is a piece of history and I’m sure that you will have no problem selling it.

So, dealers, forum sales sections (such as ours), auctions sites (military). An internet search should bring up some options.

For comparison, here is an example of a complete badge by the same maker.

An early example, in tombak, by Rudolf A. Karneth & Söhne, Gablonz

Maker mark.

Luftwaffe EM/NCO sword

Luftwaffe Dolch....

Hi, Steve

I have to say; it's a hard one to call.   These (of course, not to be considered as proof positive) have been up for sale on some well known dealer sites, for good money.  Having handled a few TENO Honour Badges, in my time, I have a few niggling doubts about this type.

Not much help, I know... Hopefully, some of the other members will be able to give a more informed opinion.

Guys?

I would have to agree with Jock on this one..... Apart from the softness, all the examples I've seen have a set of maker marks and codes on the back.

None of the characteristics of an original...

here are some examples of the RO/AG badge by W.Deumer.

an early one in nickel silver.

in zinc...

Looks to be a late war example in zinc, possibly by Steinhauer & Lück.  To confirm, there is normally a "4" stamped into the pin.

As to value....It's lost the silver wash, but is still in good condition.  I would say a fair value would be around £70 

looking into it for you.

There is a nice one for sale in the Philipp Militaria update today.

It's most likely a service ribbon for either RAD or police....of the two, I would go for RAD 2nd class.

What a thing to find, Stefan.

 Many of these local sports (this one for an equestrian event) participation medals were produced, and are quite easy to find....but I've never heard of one being found in a lake. 

No hoard of gold down there as well, was there? 

Now, that is a nice photo!  The ribbon mini is not often seen.

That's new one for me...  It looks like the "Pionier" clasp is attached to the pin plate by way of the tabs,  which would mean (and it's only a guess) that there must have been other clasps that could have been earned for this type of pin.

2nd pattern in nickel silver

2nd pattern in aluminium

Radio Operator/Air Gunner badges by F.W Assmann & Söhne - Lüdenscheid

1st pattern in aluminium

Just in is this early NSDAP Supporter's Badge.

 Ok, you might think....not a hard piece to find.  But what makes this particular example quite rare is the fact that this one was produced for the outlawed Austrian supporters of the NSDAP, as the markings on the reverse suggest.  Marked "Ges Gesch" (typical) and "Zeugm. Österr" being the shortened version of Zeugma Österreich, which has a number of meanings such as pull together or connect, Austria.

Anyway, here it is.

Morning, Martin

As you say, pity that they went out of business.  The company's craftsmanship was superb.

Hilskreuzer......have I seen that one of yours?  If you can, please post.