+RAF_Louvert Posted July 26, 2012 Posted July 26, 2012 . Today on eBay a nice looking engraved Prussian pilot badge was sold for $350, whcih would be the deal of the century if it were an original WWI item Any among you know the tells on this item that indicate it is a replica and not an original? . Quote
+Olham Posted July 26, 2012 Posted July 26, 2012 No idea, Lou - it looks so old and true; I could have fallen for it! Now some other idiot did! Mmuahahahaaa!!!!! Quote
+RAF_Louvert Posted July 26, 2012 Author Posted July 26, 2012 . Olham, lots of folks have fallen for them over the decades, as these pieces were originally made to deceive. There are likely more WWI Central Powers pilot badges that are supposedly 'originals' than there were pilots in the war. . Quote
+Olham Posted July 26, 2012 Posted July 26, 2012 From originals I have seen in photos, it seems that the hollow area on the back of the crown was deeper, and also the whole rear of the badge seemed a bit more like a hollow negative of the frontal form? Quote
+RAF_Louvert Posted July 26, 2012 Author Posted July 26, 2012 . Olham,the depth of the crown wells varied on the originals as did the back design and 'dish'. Without even comparing this badge to an original there are several things that should raise the red flag. 1. Aeroplane fuselage is bent rather than straight. 2. Extra berry in the wreath at the edge of the hilltop. 3. All three hallmarks on the same badge; crescent moon, crown, and silver content mark, (in this case '800' though hard to see in the picture because the pin is in the way). 4. And worst of all, the casting 'tick' at the edge of the crown well. A tick that has been seen repeatedly on hundreds of replica badges from supposedly different makers, representing different air services. There are other issues that can be seen when compared side-by-side to an authentic WWI badge, but the ones pointed out in the photo cast doubt enough all on their own. This particular badge is not bad as a display piece but it's not worth the price, unless perhaps it is in fact 800 silver, (given the current market value of silver). But there was no indication that it had been tested to prove such. . Quote
+Hasse Wind Posted July 28, 2012 Posted July 28, 2012 Good information, Lou. The most expensive German WW1 aviation badges are the ones given to Zeppelin pilots. They are extremely rare these days. Quote
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