Kriegsmarine Mayer marked '26' or 'L/18' Minesweeper badge

[John R]

Does anyone have examples of a Mayer marked '26' or 'L/18' Minesweeper/MS badge? In tombak and zinc.

Thanks, John

Edited February 17, 2008 by John Robinson

[Gordon Williamson]

Does anyone have examples of a Mayer marked '26' or 'L/18' Minesweeper/MS badge?

Thanks, John

Erik has a nice L/18 marked example. I have images but wouldn't want to post them without Erik's permission. I'm sure he will see this though and post them himself.

[John R]

OK, they are posted on WAF. I note the hinge is the crimped barrel hinge on the MS badge not the same as the tombak U-boat badge hinge. It is interesting in that I am not sure how many makers used different hinges for their KM badges.

Edited February 18, 2008 by John Robinson

[Erik Krogh]

Hey John,

I know that you've seen similar images of my Mayer L/18-marked Minesweeper on WAF, but here are a couple of new shots of the back and hinge.

Best Regards,

Erik

[Erik Krogh]

L/18 MS hinge

[John R]

As I have posted above, it is interesting that Mayer used different setups on the hinge for their KM badges. Here is the S-boat:

[John R]

And destroyer.

[John R]

L/18 S-boat second pattern. And to make it even more interesting, there are at least 3 examples of different Mayer hinges/setups on their High Seas Fleet Badge.

Edited February 18, 2008 by John Robinson

[Gordon Williamson]

As I have posted above, it is interesting that Mayer used different setups on the hinge for their KM badges. Here is the S-boat:

The normal Mayer First Pattern S-Boat has a horizontal flat pin and hinge like the Minesweeper shown here and the Second Pattern S-Boat shown here, and I've seen examples with both the solid machined hinge (as on their U-Boat) and formed sheet metal hinge (as on the Minesweeper). Several manufacturers can be found to have used multiple types of fitting on the same badge, which is one reason I always feel its a bit risky when people identify the maker of a badge from the type of fittings used. A good clue certainly, but far from a positive identifier.