Luftwaffe Juncker Eagle Study

[Flak88]

Gents,

It is with great happiness that I announce the first very rough draft of the Luftwaffe Flak book has been completed! It will eventually come out in the Heukemes series on war badges. I will spend the next two months revising it and then will link up with my cohort on Heer Flak and hopefully we can have it out in 2007!

But there is a lot of work still to go. I am presenting a study of Juncker eagles below from various Flak badges. There are two known patterns, but a possible third has surfaced. I am honestly not 100% that it is a completely new pattern, but you will see it MAY not fit the other two patterns. Please review and let us discuss.

Juncker First Pattern

These are distinguished by the narrow line of feathers on the right facing wing, and the small and sharp claws. They have only been seen on first pattern wreaths. You will note the first one is flawless and IMHO the best Juncker flak I have ever seen. The second one is the same, but the silver is obscuring details as is so common on Juncker flaks.

Juncker Second Pattern

The second pattern is chachterized by a thicker row of feathers on the right facing wing and fat donut toes. These have only been observed on second pattern wreaths. The eagle is very serious. Interesting progression below as the last one is zinc. Note also how the second one has the details obscured by the silver but it is still within the pattern.

Juncker Second Pattern on SW68 wreath

This is clearly a second pattern eagle shown just for continuity sake on an SW68 wreath, which is a second pattern wreath.

Possible Juncker Hybrid Pattern?

These eagles have only been observed on second pattern wreaths, and indeed they have the same donut toes. The wing feathers appear to also be second pattern. The eagle's head, however seems different. The beak does not appear to have the mouth opening that just begs for a cigar. And the feather pattern as well has me thinking.

Hypothesis

I think the two last ones are very early second pattern eagles before the die started to alter slightly with use. This is just my theory, so I would appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks!

Marc