Luftwaffe Luftwaffe Flight Badges..

[J Temple-West]

Good Evening To All... Good to see some old friends..

I'm hoping, with the help of other collectors, that this thread will give a little insight into, what I consider to be, the interesting, and sometimes complicated, world of collecting 'Luftwaffe' awards.

Well, I suppose we should start with a listing of the manufacturers of flight qualification badges and categorize the types that can be found.

F.W Assmann

C.E Juncker

J(I)MME & Shon

BSW

GWL

OM

W. Deumer

B&NL

There is a maker that, although similar in design to GWL, hither too, has not been identified as such, due to all examples being unmarked. So, until research confirms this maker?s identity, we will use the somewhat ambiguous title, given to it by the collecting community, of ?The Unknown Maker?

Categories.

Pilot. (Flugzeugf?hrerabzeichen)

Observer. (Beobachterabzeichen)

Pilot/Observer. (Gemeinsames Flugzeugf?hrer-und Beobachter-abzeichen)

Radio operator/Air gunner (Fliegersch?tzenabzeichen f?r Bordfunker)

Air gunner/Flight engineer (Fliegersch?tzenabzeichen f?r Bordsch?tzen u. Bordmechaniker)

Air gunner/Flight engineer (unqualified)

Glider Pilot. (Segeflugzeugf?hrerabzeichen)

Para's, Ground Assault, etc, will follow, I'm sure....

If you've got them... Show them.

I'll start off with one of my favourites...

By F.W Assmann. 1st Pattern Pilot's badge.

[J Temple-West]

Reverse..

[J Temple-West]

By F.W Assmann. 1st pattern Pilot/Observer.

[J Temple-West]

Reverse...

[Jim Baker]

John,

These are beautiful. Of all the "badges", the Luftwaffe are the most beautiful. Just my opinion guys, please don't jump on me.

Thanks for this post, very informative. I hope the Luft guys will post more of these beauties.

[Gordon Williamson]

Lovely pieces John. I see that Fran?ois has joined too. Hopefully we may get the chance to see some of his fabulous collection of Luftwaffe material.

Edited April 2, 2005 by Gordon Williamson

[Guest Darrell]

Here is my Zinc BSW Pilots Badge:

Here is a Junker 3rd Pattern Tombak (or nickel) on Zinc Wreath (Got from RoyA):

[Dave B]

Beautiful badges guys,I never tire looking at pilot awards.

Dave

[J Temple-West]

I totally agree with you, Jim? But, of course, I?m biased.. No jumping from me.

@ H009291..(Come on, give us a clue..What?s your Christian name? I?ll never remember H009291..Sorry, being cheeky)

A very clean ?BSW?... I also have the same type Juncker 3rd pattern which I?ll dig out and photograph. Is your example marked ?Berlin SW68? or unmarked?

@ G.W? You?re right, good to see Fran?ois here? I only hope that he will allow us to see some of his most excellent pieces..

Fran?ois, calling Fran?ois :food-smiley-004:

Here's another early one...

The Same 1st pattern 'Assmann' PB but in aluminium.

[Jim Baker]

Darrell,

When did you get that Juncker?? Or did I just miss this???

Nice.....

John,

Beautiful. I think I'll just sit back AND ENJOY THIS.

More????

Edited April 2, 2005 by Panzerman

[J Temple-West]

The old classic.. C.E Juncker, 1st pattern PB.

[Guest Darrell]

@John .... look below my sigs ... name is Darrell

@Jim .... here are a few more pics of the Junker --- it is unmarked John :food-smiley-004:

[Guest Darrell]

[J Temple-West]

On the subject of early 'Juncker' types..

1st pattern observer..

[J Temple-West]

Ah, Darrell...forgive me!! It's past midnight and I'm as blind as a bot...BOT!! see, I told you..

Now this is where it gets a little complicated....

The badge, above is a pure 1st pattern example... 1 pat' bird on a 1st pat' wreath.

The next one is a transitional piece, being a 2nd pat' bird on a 1st pat wreath. left over stock never going to waste it would seem.. This mix & match went on throughtout the production of the various patterns and makes things a little more interesting when it comes to the authentication process.. We will, no doubt, come to the even more complicated subject of supply and use of parts, between manufacturers, at some point..

1st pat wreath with 2nd pat bird...

I wish you all a very pleasant evening, where ever you are...

Edited April 3, 2005 by J Temple-West

[J Temple-West]

So, this example of the Radio operator/Air gunner badge is again a true 1st pattern, having the 1st pat wreath & bird.... By C.E Juncker (same maker as above)..

[J Temple-West]

Just adding a few as we go along....

Still on the early pre-war types, here's a rather exotic variation of a PB by 'Juncker'... Silver plate on Tombak, this PB was probably produced as a private order or presentation piece to be worn on an officer's evening dress or parade uniform..

'Juncker' produced solid, '800' marked, silver examples, so this particular piece, being plated, would have been considered a poor man's equivalent...

The 'recon' clasp is only added for effect...

Edited April 5, 2005 by J Temple-West

[Jim Baker]

John,

On the RO/AG badge, I definitely like the first pattern bird best. Very nicely done. I love this thread. I've always been very interested in Luft awards, just couldn't really afford them.

If I were to swing a pilots badge, what would you recommend as a first piece??

[Laurence Strong]

John,

If I were to swing a pilots badge, what would you recommend as a first piece??

←

So much for not buying anything more this year cheeky Does the missus know you are thinking like this

[Jim Baker]

She already hates me, might as well give her a reason we can both enjoy.

[J Temple-West]

"If I were to swing a pilots badge, what would you recommend as a first piece??"

Hi Jim,

Not an easy a question as you might think..

Early 1st pattern pieces can demand large prices, late zinc pieces, although relatively cheap, can be a bit boring as, by their very nature, the overall finish, generally speaking, is of a poorer quality..

I would go for an example from the second series, in Buntmetal, from a known maker such as Assmann, Juncker or BSW..

Of course, as in any other field of collecting, always go for the best example that the purse can afford and before parting with the 'hard earned' get it checked out...

I'll post some examples from these makers.. They all have there own characteristics and you will find that you will develop a liking for a particular maker.

Amongst Luftwaffe collectors there's always been this debate as to the best maker, Assmann vs Juncker usually..

Anyway, if I can ever be of help in the authentication process, let me know..

Can't help you with the Wife, though..

1st up.. 2nd pattern 'Juncker'

Edited April 29, 2005 by J Temple-West

[J Temple-West]

2nd Pattern 'Assmann'

[J Temple-West]

BSW.. These come with two types of maker mark..

A clover leaf with the initials 'BSW'..

full name..

[J Temple-West]

Or you could go for a Pilot/Observer badge... Two badges in one.

This one by GWL.

Edited February 14, 2006 by J Temple-West

[J Temple-West]

PB by GWL..