Can I get opinions of this Wound Badge?

[Steve Nick]

I came across this badge in one of the local on-line auction sites I frequent. This was included in a lot of Boy Scout Badges and wasn't even referred to in the lot description. I just stumbled across it which is amazing to me as it was pictured upside down. So I have no reason to suspect any fakery is going on here.

I prowled around the web looking for examples to compare with my black version which I believe to be original. The shape of the sword hilts seem to vary with probably 80% of the ones I've seen having the "Bow Tie" shape of the hilt. This oval version shows up about 20% of the time. Is this one any good?

 

[Bobted]

The Back?

 

[Steve Nick]

Unfortunately that's all the site showed. I'm reluctant to ask for a picture of the back as the request then becomes public and that sort of draws unwanted attention. At this point it's flying under the radar.

The people taking these photos have no clue what they're dealing with most of the time. The sort of people who would auction a Samurai sword without taking it out of the scabbard. (actually happened).

 

[ww1czechlegion]

Hi Steve,

I'm changing my original opinion on this badge, where I called it a bad one. I say that without seeing better pics of it, and especially without seeing a view of the back side of this badge, I cannot tell whether it is good or bad. I forgot that there are different design types of this badge.

Here is one that looks similar that I found on the WAF Forum, from a Canadian member from Alberta, posted on WAF back in 2010. The front of WAF member "Discostu" badge looks to be very similar to the one you've posted from the auction site. But the WAF Forum shows the back side view of the badge, and this one I post below from the WAF Forum was deemed to be a bad one.

As John Josef correctly points out in his posting directly below mine here, the badge you've posted is referred to as a Type III badge. Whether the one on the auction is good or bad, I can't tell by seeing the one photo at an angle, with no back side view of the badge.









I don't know if the back side of the one on the auction looks like this bad example above, or not. See if the auction house can send you more pics, without telegraphing to everyone that they are sending more pics. Or if you live near by the auction house, simply go visit it and inspect the bade in person.

Best Wishes,

Alan

 

[John Josef]

I would say that due to the total lack of detail in the pebbling, thickness of the chain links, thickness of the Anchor ect ect it is definitely not a type I or II.

There were three types of these, and the third type was much different in every way, this one has a chance at being a III Type but without better pictures of it and of the back I'm not 100% certain. All type III's were die-stamped just like I and II's so a sure way to tell is from the back.

I would recommend an older book by WIllian Hamelman it covers all wound badges and types from 1914 to 57. It's an oldy but a goodie

MFG John Josef

 

[ww1czechlegion]

Here is what a real black one should look like, that I found on the WAF Forum. Notice the top bar of the anchor. Notice the design of the sword handles and how they are different from the silver one you posted:

 

[ww1czechlegion]

Here's another one that is good, posted by WAF Forum member Don D.
Apparently this is a Type III Badge.

This is one of the other types that John Josef is referring to above.

I honestly think you're going to ask the auction house for better pics, and have them also show you the back side of the badge.

A back side image of the badge from your auction will show whether or not the badge is original or a copy. I believe you'll need to see the back side.

Here's a link to the thread on WAF. You'll need to be a registered member there in order to see the thread:

https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/ken-jasper-international-militaria-forums/imperial-militaria-forum/13246809-imperial-navy-wound-badge