Bulgaria Bulgarian WWI Obsever Badge

[Lee Moore]

Hello All,

What are your thoughts on this badge on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...DME:B:WNA:US:12. The quality looks good, but the seller says this comes from a long time collection. Many of the other wings from the same collection (seller) appear to be re-strikes or cast reproductions, although a few others do look good. It appears (or is trying to appear) to be of German manufacture with the ?silber? marking and the pin hinge set-up. I know this is a rare badge so information is very scarce. Anyone have any thoughts?

Regards,

Lee

[Lee Moore]

I guess more than a couple of people were convinced of its authenticity. Sold for $2,300.

[Theodor]

Extraordinary, I thought these badges must be hollow and have flat back, not that "empty". Or maybe it is a German jeweller made piece, I saw his auctions, he also has a Pilot and Observer badges f WW2 Bulgaria, but German make.

One more idea - this seems like a super high quality badge, wouldn't it have a maker mark, not just "silver" ??

[Lee Moore]

I agree Theodor. You would think that it would be maker marked. I wonder if there was a back plate that is missing? Something similar to privately produced Imperial badges that had were hollow in the middle with the weep holes on back. If that is the case, maybe the mark would have been on the backing plate? I am just guessing. It is a very interesting badge.