Organisational Badges Reichskolonialbund.

[Scowen]

That's a good question Christian. There were several makers of these badges & it may be a good contender for a thread for our database if the owners are willing to take part. I know of 6 makers:

L

NR or possibly FNR (in a circle)

S (in an oval)

Unmarked without a maker

B (in a circle)

F H B or an H with an F B in it

The only problem is that the marks are nearly alway under the pin & hard to show in a picture.

I've never yet seen one being worn in a picture, but I'm looking

Cheers

Don

[Andy H]

Fascinating threat because so little seems known to the collecting community. To help Bob thread 12, I came across these membership figures in a biogaphy of Bundesfuhrer Von Epp.

Josef Krumbach Ein Leben Fur Deutschland 1939 -1 October 36 200,000

-1 January 37 372,282

-1 January 38 856141

1 August 38 they claimed 1 million members

[Scowen]

That's very interesting Andy. Those figures can be understood when you consider the areas forfeited after the First World War, German East Africa, German Southwest Africa, Toga, the Cameras, German New Guinea, Samoa, & Kiatchau in China. There were also large communities in South America.

So very large numbers of ethnic Germans were still living in these former colonies, most probably still had reletives living at home in Germany, who would join in support of the lost colonies.

Cheers

Don

[Scowen]

Just thought I'd add that these are being faked as well, this ones on sale for ?7.95.......

Cheers

Don

[Rosenberg]

Hi,

I found some backing for my assumption of the maker.This is part of a list of manufacturers for the Hindenburg Cross

[attachmentid=49226]

[Scowen]

Excellent! Are there only those ten shown or are there more? Perhaps it could solve the mystery over other marks.....

Cheers

Don

[Rosenberg]

Ok Don,you got me There is more of it...... [attachmentid=49229]

[Rosenberg]

the rest of the solved cases.... [attachmentid=49230]

[BURGERHAUS]

Mr. Rosenberg This is great. Please show us more. Is there an RS on your list? I have been wanting to know what that one is for years. Tank You Sir Robert

[Rosenberg]

Robert,

I am afraid I haven?t found RS in that specific list.The list is unfortunately not a general one,but just for one award.Sorry,Sir

Best

[--dj--Joe]

A most interesting list. My thanks for sharing it.

--dj--Joe

[Rosenberg]

Here is the back of a "B" encircled, and GES.GESCH. marked.I guess there are no differences between the maker?s frontsides?

[attachmentid=53479]

[Scowen]

This is something I will be looking into when I get the time, whether there is any visible difference between the fronts. Perhaps with the stippling pattern under the red enamel, or the style/shape of the stars etc....

Cheers

Don

[BURGERHAUS]

[attachmentid=53501]Same marking as my RDK. Do we know who maker B is?

[Chris Clark]

as requested my badge

[Chris Clark]

rear pic

[Scowen]

I have been in communication with Chris regading the badge he has posted above & have asked for better images of the obverse for I fear that it could be a fake.

The "S" Kolonial pin has been faked for over 30 years now is still being made today.

He are a few points that I have observed. On originals there is usually (but not always) a very slight serif on the tips of the "S", but as I just pointed out, annoyingly not always. However, they did always use a rounder oval to surround the "S" than there seems to be on the one above, only the fakes have the narrow oval.

On the obverse of the badge in the top right corner of the red enamel, next to the top star, originals ALWAYS have a pattern of 9 pebbles/dots. Fakes only have 4 (this is why I've asked for a better image as I can't quite see on Chris' badge). The final clue is the gap between the outer edge of the Swastika & the inner edge of the surrounding diamond. There is ALWAYS a clear & distinct gap between them with white enamel in it, they never run into each other due to the white enamel between them.

Both John Temple-West's badge at the start of the thread & Roberts in post #10 show classic original "S" badges.

Bye the way, the points mentioned above are only for the "S" marked badges, other makers have their own peculiarities.

Cheers

Don

[BURGERHAUS]

Don If you like, you can move mine next to Chris' to show the differences. Good research! Robert

[Nick]

I agree good research by Don

[BURGERHAUS]

gents, Here is my reverse circle S. Robert

[Chris Clark]

as soon as i can get mine out of the frame i will take some better pics straight on and not at an angle. on the looks mine is indeed a dud . which surprises me as came with a large group of which all the other stuff was 100% correct. one good thing its not the expensive end of collecting.

on the white enamel around the swaz it indeed does not go all the way round but there is a hair line mark where the enamel would of run into if it wasnt so thin.

one for the hammer when i take it out

Edited February 14, 2007 by Chris Clark

[Scowen]

Thank you Gentlemen.

Here is a comparison between a fake bought from a reproduction regalia specialist for a couple of pounds & JTW's original.

Note the difference in pebbling, especially the top right corner of this area. Also the gap between the outer edge of the Swastika & inner edge of the surrounding diamond.

[Scowen]

Reverse. Note the wider, rounder oval.

[Scowen]

Here's a comparison using a clearer mark from another pin. The description I used of a serif is probably wrong. The ends of the S on the originals are clipped virtically giving an appearence of a serif.

Again, Fake on the left, Original to the right.

[Nick]

Another manufacturer