Luftwaffe summer eagle maker finally identified.

[J Temple-West]

I remember a conversation I had many years ago regarding this type of summer eagle where the conclusion was that we would most likely never be able to identify the maker….well, having just acquired this example in aluminium (already having an example in nickel silver in the collection) and after some research….. I think we may be able to finally say, with confidence, that the maker is Wilhelm Deumer, Lüdenscheid.

 

 

[J Temple-West]

Yes, a difficult task of maker identification going on the obverse…. but the reverse hardware IMO tells the tale.

 

The system consists of a crimped brass hinge and catch. The brass pin has a flattened area at the hinge end….ring any bells? I’m sure that the collectors of Heer badges will have a good idea when I mention Deumer’s ‘vertical crimp’ IAB’s.

 

A side by side comparison of the hardware on the summer eagle (left) and Deumer IAB (right).

 

[J Temple-West]

 

Catch

Eagle (left) IAB (right)

 

 

[J Temple-West]

 

Flattened area on the pin - eagle (top) IAB (bottom) - a characteristic typically found on Deumer products