Luftwaffe LW Pilot Badge Quiz

[Steve K.]

What is so special about this LW Pilot badge?

[J Temple-West]

It's not the "egg" shaped wreath, so could it be a double marked "AS" or simply a named piece? Let's have a look at the reverse, me thinks this is where the clue will be.

[Steve K.]

The clues are easier once you see the reverse, but all the information that is needed can be found on the obverse.......look to the feet!!

[J Temple-West]

Replaced/repaired swas...? Looks like it's made of a different metal.

[Richard Gordon]

I don't see anything unusual... looks standard as far as the early Assmann's go.

[Steve K.]

Structurally the badge is sound!! But it is far from STANDARD.....

[GeorgeCL]

I dont know Luft badges.

But what about the cut out between the legs?

Isnt that usually solid?

George

[buellmeister]

This is just a shot in the dark but are the wreaths supposed to be different running up each side of the badge?

Joel

[Steve K.]

George, the cut-out legs are normal and fine for this style by Assmann (BTW -- nice stein collection....I like the pretzel-shaped whiskey container...at least I think it was for whiskey).

Joel, The different leaves are perfectly fine too (Laurel leaves for victory, Oak leaves for strength)....although it would be nice to find a badge where these had switched sides!!

I will post the reverse here...........look at the rivets and catch (it really is a sublime difference)....Why is this not a standard pilot badge?

Edited January 26, 2006 by Steve K.

[Scott]

It seems the eagle has ample evidence of being buntmetal under the finish, but the worn areas of the swaz doesn't show the same golden buntmetal color...?

Scott

[Steve K.]

Color is important here!!!

Scott, the swas is actually not a highpoint of the badge, so it has seen little wear....that's why there is less buntmetal showing through the black on the swas....

[J Temple-West]

Knowing how much Assmann favoured the use of Cupal in their early (mainly PAB's & GAB's) badges. Could it be? The colour in the scans points to Tombak, or is that just the scan?

[ERIC]

As I see really nothing else "odd" about it, cupal being used here would be my guess as well Steve.

ERIC

[Steve K.]

CUPAL? I wish!!!

Quite simply this was sold to me as a pilot's badge. I bought it just seeing the obverse pic, knowing full well it was a nice First pattern Assmann. It even sat in my collection for nearly 2 months, making me believe it was a pilots badge....when in reality it's a pilot/observer!! Nothing 'odd'...just special!!

The tiny bit of 'grey' where the eagle clutches the swas is the only remnant of what was once a 'silver' obverse.

Edited January 26, 2006 by Steve K.

[J Temple-West]

Well Steve, you would certainly know best having it in hand. Personally, going on the pix, I would say that it is a PB. The darkening of the bird would be the key for me. Having handled quite a few Assmann badges, in various states of condition from no finish to mint, I've never come across a P/O that has remnants of darkening under what was once silver finished. I can only think that perhaps this badge was upgraded at some point.

Anyway... many thanks for the quiz. It's been fun.

[Richard Gordon]

I have to agree with John.

Rich

Edited January 26, 2006 by Richard Gordon

[Steve K.]

Maybe my scans are just crappy......the reverse of the eagle is almost completely silver and the yellow of the wreath has turned a dark orange, almost as if it had been baked in the sun. On the reverse of the wreath, the majority of the finish has been worn away, leaving only small remnants of color (haze or halo) around the rivets, catch and hinge. There is no other explanation for the color on the wreath.

Why, on the front of the eagle, there is no silver left is also strange, and I've only been able to conclude that the original owner rubbed it off, because even low areas, like the swas, have no silver finish.

Why the eagle and wreath have a black sub coating is a mystery to me as well,...... I think it is the effects of aging......

For me....it is a Pilot/Observer. The color of the wreath in low spots and the remnants of silver near the talons point to this conclusion. John, even on your P/O that you show, there is a clump of silver color 'pooled' at the talon that would wear/age much more slowly than a thin coat of silver elsewhere. Do you not see that?

Edited January 26, 2006 by Steve K.