Fake Souval Guerrilla Warfare/Anti-Partisan Badge ................. 'L/58'

[Robin Lumsden]

Since I first saw one in an old book back in 1978, I've always wanted one of these early Austrian copies from the 1960s/1970s.

Very distinctive skull and bones.

Now I've found one.

In 'mint' condition.

These old copies are now collectable in their own right.

Almost as hard to find as the real thing.

Which I have as well, by the way.

[Robin Lumsden]

Fits in quite neatly with this other old copy ...........................

Souval ............................ 'L/58' ............................... partisan warfare ......................

[Robin Lumsden]

Comparison with another old Souval repro ........................

[Robin Lumsden]

The 1960s Souval brothers ........................

[Martin W]

Since I first saw one in an old book back in 1978, I've always wanted one of these early Austrian copies from the 1960s/1970s.

These old copies are now collectable in their own right.

Hi Robin,

i agree that i find these postwar pieces collectible also.

I have a few postwar Steinhauer & Luck Hilfskreuzer awards and an L/58 marked Hilfskreuzer also.

Is it correct to refer to them as "copies",or just examples of "postwar production" by these firms,especially if they are produced from original dies,and in some cases,using leftover period reverse hardware ??

Just a thought.

Regards,Martin.

[Robin Lumsden]

Hello Martin.

No doubt about it .................. they are 'copies'.

Souval generally didn't use pre-'45 dies in the manufacture of their post-'45 stuff.

But these early Souval copies were well researched, of very high quality and are now hard to find, so collectable in their own right.

A bit like Westerwald stoneware.

Original Westerwald pieces date from the 16th Century.

Yet the 19th Century 'historismus' copies of the originals are now also very collectable.

The GB equivalent is 'Gothic Revival' ................... Pugin, William Morris et al.

[Robin Lumsden]

Detailing is great .......................

Edited May 10, 2013 by Robin Lumsden

[Robin Lumsden]

A later, very much poorer reproduction, c.1990 ................................... cast from the earlier 1960s/70s Souval copy.

[Robin Lumsden]

Comparison ...................

[J Temple-West]

Thank goodness for the tell-tale catch used by Souval on their post war pieces.

[Steve Aubrey]

Greetings—

I have heard Souval pieces described both as Russian and Austrian. The linked pics are of a piece I'm told is Russian, but looks very much like one you pictured as Austrian. Could you help with some clarification for a new member, please? Thank you.

Steve Aubrey

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/k4j9mofk1axlg9o/uDHxaPzxby

[Robin Lumsden]

Hello Steve.

Souval was Austrian, not Russian.

The one you posted looks like a standard Souval, although the pin and clip could have been re-attached.