Polish Regimental Badges WW2

[StefanM]

All very valid points Mr. P.Z. Re the detail loss in the scorpion I also considered the possibility of some polishing. But if the badge was subject to polishing I would expect more paint loss on the pennon backing. The paint on these never adhered too well and is rather fragile. Any sort of polishing, unless very carefully done, would have quickly eroded the paint.

Having said that, on second look it may be that the scorpion is in fact from a different stamping die. Look at the legs, how they almost touch in one and yet are well separated in the other. There’s also a difference in the stinger tail segment just after the body. The eyes also look slightly different, as do other details.

Regards,
Tony

I agree re the polishing and no evidence of enamel wear. Good point about a different stamping die! Or maybe a badly worn die at the end of its production life?

I have tried to visually replicate a worn die by blurring the scorpion as wear is a kind of blurring of detail.

In the attached the top image is a blurred version of the lower image and it does replicate some of the lack of detail in the pennon being discussed.

Top blurred from...

.... original detail image

Top: Blurred

Bottom: Ebay pennon

I am tending to lean towards a very worn die at the end of its production life on this pennon example. Maybe this was the catalyst to changing the scorpion design used in the later pennons

[prosty zolnierz]

given that the first pattern is more representative of a scorpion I am surprised that the manufacturer changed the design. I have a pair of the second type but I must admit the first strike is more appealing. that is of course if you are into predatory arthropods ! I expect the buyer is now furiously looking for its mate.

[stepic51]

Examined it and magnified it every which way but no makers mark unfortunately.

[StefanM]

given that the first pattern is more representative of a scorpion I am surprised that the manufacturer changed the design. I have a pair of the second type but I must admit the first strike is more appealing. that is of course if you are into predatory arthropods ! I expect the buyer is now furiously looking for its mate.

I think the second pattern matched more closely the scorpion on the breast badge so maybe a design standardisation?

[prosty zolnierz]

concord

[stepic51]

A few photos I have of artillery training (in Scotland I believe)

[A.J. Zawadzki]

Thanks for the pictures Stepic. It would be great if we could zoom in to see more detail. Any possibility of posting higher resolution scans?

Cheers,
Tony

[stepic51]

Tony,
Will rescan in a higher resolution when I'm back home next week. In the meantime as a newcomer to your forum I wanted to express my profound thanks for everyone's help identifying my father's Polish Regimental Badges. You are all a truly amazing resource and I am grateful. His war file has incredible handwritten detail of his military service from the 1939 September campaign, the defense of Warsaw, etc right up to his arrival in France. I'm working on having it translated and I'd like to share it with you all if there is an interest.
Merry Christmas!!.

[wadowicznic]

Fellows
Best wishes to all of you and your loved ones for the very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New 2013Year. May 2013 brings you many fantastic new finds to your Polish collections!

[A.J. Zawadzki]

I don’t believe this one has been covered here yet. The “badge” of the 18th Lwow Rifles Battalion was actually issued in the form of a commemorative ring. These were crafted in silver and gold and issued with the ‘legitymacja’ authorizing their wear. Rarely seen on the collectors market, this one sold in 2011 for 5500PLN = ~1800USD = ~1100GBP.

Regards,
Tony