Steve Russell Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 A Bavarian Pilot badge sold yesterday on eBay that looked quite convincing. I would be interested in opinions on the piece becasue if it is fake, it would be educational to point out the subtleties or if real, it may offer some hope that good finds still do occur on eBay. I have no vested interest in this badge other than stated here. Opinions? Stevehttp://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Murphy Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 (edited) Steve,It is indeed quite convincing, just not convincing enough for me to believe it is real. This photo was the one that told all. Notice the poor detail to the crown and cross on top. It looks to have been cast from a mold made from a real badge. Notice what appears to be pock marks around the lower band of the crown. This only appears when an item is cast. Originals were die struck and finely detailed, therefore this , IMHO, is a fake. Dan Murphy Edited June 20, 2006 by Daniel Murphy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Russell Posted June 20, 2006 Author Share Posted June 20, 2006 Steve,It is indeed quite convincing, just not convincing enough for me to believe it is real. This photo was the one that told all. Notice the poor detail to the crown and cross on top. It looks to have been cast from a mold made from a real badge. Notice what appears to be pock marks around the lower band of the crown. This only appears when an item is cast. Originals were die struck and finely detailed, therefore this , IMHO, is a fake. Dan MurphyYes Dan, I can see it now. Amazing I did not see the air bubbles earlier. That is one of the best I have seen come across lately because the pin looks much more convincing thatn the others usually found. I feel sorry for whomever spent the $430.00 US. Given the other very nice items the vendor was selling, they may not have known either. Hard to say. Usually will see other fake stuff they try to peddle or more than one of these appear over time. Thanks for the opinion. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stogieman Posted June 21, 2006 Share Posted June 21, 2006 This badge is interesting on several levels. It's an amazingly convincing attempt to fake an issue bavarian Pilot Badge and (one of) the new generation of rubbish that has been created to fill collector demand.Some key issues:A) very sharp/unfinished look to the edges. No German made that badge.B) Reverse pattern of wreath is incorrect, I will not say more publicly, but they have not managed to get it right yet. Study originals, you will see what I mean.....C) Hinge & Catch are almost there. Again.... look at an original....D) Wrong top to the crown.... the (ahem) "manufacturer" appears to have confused Prussia with Bavaria...If it had gone cheap, I would have bought it as a tool to help others differentiate. better scans would have revealed much wrong, I believe. But my days of shelling out $4-700 for fakes is over.Here's a (sorry it's a small one) photo of an original with its' award document. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stogieman Posted June 21, 2006 Share Posted June 21, 2006 A little closer: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stogieman Posted June 21, 2006 Share Posted June 21, 2006 Correct one, pin variation: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stogieman Posted June 21, 2006 Share Posted June 21, 2006 Reverse. Seek, and ye shall find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Russell Posted June 23, 2006 Author Share Posted June 23, 2006 Reverse. Seek, and ye shall find.Thanks for the advice and the comparison photos. They really help. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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