Opinions on Infanteriesturmabzeichen?

[Inf Div 121]

Need opinions on this badge, prior getting rid of it, need to know about the originality.

[rbminis]

This is a n unknown maker pillow crimp with a replaced catch.
Here is my example.
Infanterie Sturmabzeichen in Silber, Unknown Maker, Pillow Crimp
Ralph.

[Stewy S]

Hi Ralph, I'm not sure the catch is a repair/replaced it doesn't appear so. The finish isn't burnt or missing from around the catch. Just a thought. Stewy

[big ned]

It's not the actual "Pillow Crimp" as is widely accepted IMO, but the much rarer unknown maker "H". The smaller size of the "Pillow Crimps" and the fact that the rear of the rifle is hollowed out rather than flat indicates this.

I think the catch may actually be factory applied like this originally, or after the crimp there may have become unusable due to die wear or suchlike, as the finish of the badge seems to cover it without any sign of later soldering that would indicate a repair. I'd wait for the main collectors of these badges to comment though rather than taking my word for it.



Regards, Ned.

[Stewy S]

Yes Ned, I can see what you're on about & it ain't a bad call at all. Can't see the M/M "H" though. Could it be a late war production? It certainly looks it IMO. Stewy

[rbminis]

I would agree, likely an "H", but the catch is still replaced, probably at the factory before the finish was applied.
(Missed the hollowed out rifle.)
Ralph.

[Stewy S]

I think the catch was intentionally fixed like this & not even a pre-finish factory repair. I've seen this before. That doesn't mean by any standards that there was/wasn't any or this was the only factory repair. But I think that they either changed to this method permanently or the crimping machine was out of action for a bit & production had to continue, ergo this method. Stewy

[big ned]

Yes Ned, I can see what you're on about & it ain't a bad call at all. Can't see the M/M "H" though. Could it be a late war production? It certainly looks it IMO. Stewy

Hi Mate,

Yes, late war. Previously they used a circular type crimp similar to the method used by some other makers like Aurich did on their PAB's. Here's an example of the earlier type crimped catch found on "H" IAB's.



Regards, Ned.

[big ned]

I would agree, likely an "H", but the catch is still replaced, probably at the factory before the finish was applied.
(Missed the hollowed out rifle.)
Ralph.

I think the catch was intentionally fixed like this & not even a pre-finish factory repair. I've seen this before. That doesn't mean by any standards that there was/wasn't any or this was the only factory repair. But I think that they either changed to this method permanently or the crimping machine was out of action for a bit & production had to continue, ergo this method. Stewy

I think I actually sugessted both these scenario's in my original reply, but yes, that's about the strength of it in both regards.

[rbminis]

I think I actually sugessted both these scenario's in my original reply, but yes, that's about the strength of it in both regards.

That's why I said I agree Ned.
Ralph.