WW1 Machine gunners sleeve badge

[MAP]

I picked this one up over the weekend as part of a large purchase.

I am quite skeptical about these and have been for a long time.

Would love the feedback from the crew here.

I have found a few examples on the internet and here on the forum. There are two makers I've seen as well. Juncker and Falkenburg & Richter Coblenz.

This is my Falkenburg.

Here are my concerns.

Reverse
1) The plate is backwards. But that could be chalked up to anything
2) The pins: On the other Falkenburg example they are flat wire pins. These are round wire
3) Font of the stamp: This is a thin font. The other is a thick font. It could be just because the plate is reversed. I don't know

Obverse
1) There is a small dimple in the round ammo belt right at the 12:00 position. The other example does not have this.


On the plus side. This completely passes the black lite test. And the stamping is to my eyes a match (with the exception of the dimple) to the other. Further, the fabric except for some fading on the other example is a near match

Any feed back is greatly appreciated.

(Note: I am assuming that the one I'm comparing this too is an original.)

Here is mine (double click to enlarge. High Rez photos)







And here is the other example I found (credit VeteransFootLocker)

[Chopperman]

These things are a rear mine field and there are way more fakes than
there are originals.

[MAP]

These things are a rear mine field and there are way more fakes than
there are originals.

Completely agree Greg. And I have found very little good reference information. Just two Junkers posted here and a few on dealer sites. But who is to say the ones on the dealer sites are original.....

[aicusv]

I've always stayed away from these as the majority of them out there are fakes. They have been making copies of these for over 50 years now, so they are old.
One of my wife's Uncles had been a Machine Gunner in WW1. I had asked him about this badge and he never saw one.

[MAP]

Thanks. I would agree that most are fakes and am not holding out much hope for this one. But they did exist and I have seen dozens of period photos of these in wear.

Edit: I have finally found a near perfect match from an extensive study done on another forum....the only difference being that dot (at least from what I can see) and the fact that mine is in mint condition with all gilt remaining.

Jury is still out. ...

[Chopperman]

With MAP's permission I reached out to someone on a different forum
who is well versed in these badges and he has confirmed that this is indeed
a good original Machine Gunner's badge.

Congrats on a great find

[MAP]

With MAP's permission I reached out to someone on a different forum
who is well versed in these badges and he has confirmed that this is indeed
a good original Machine Gunner's badge.

Congrats on a great find

A big thanks Greg. If it wasn't for you and your contacts...I would have always been left wondering.

Quite happy it turned out well! A great and hard to find piece in unissued condition!

I would give you a "Like" and "Thanks" but those are down for the moment....

Regards,

Michael

[Chopperman]

I'm always happy to help where I can.

[MAP]

Thought this would be a nice group photo

[Chopperman]

I like it.
Nicely done