FLL Nahkampfspange in Silver....Original??

[Glenn66]

Very true Stewy, theres enough of these about that there's no point rushing in on a possible dodgy one. Patience is key to picking up a nice (and safe) example.

[Gibello]

You are the best

[Adrian]

Well after closer inspection of your new photos I have to say I would avoid this one for the following reasons. Now I only have some common knowledge and Thomas Durante's book to go by so take my comments as an opinion only. If no-one on WRF is giving more expert opinion then I'd suggest posting this over on the GCA forum where Thomas is a moderator.

Having said that, here's what I don't like about the obverse:

1. Bleed over of fluting to the top left scroll
2. Strange die marks in all 4 acorns
3. The already mentioned blob of metal in the blood gutter
4. Another strange die mark on the bayonet blade near the handle (possibly a carry-on of the line seen in the grip)
5. Another strange die mark in the lower left arm of the swastika


Now this could all be the result of the blank moving slightly during the striking process but I don't know enough about the process to say for sure. Common sense tells me that if the blank shifted, wouldn't the rest of the detail be out of true as well? Perhaps also these 'features' were common before the 1.14.1 die was changed to the 1.14.2 but again I don't know for sure. I'm sure Mr Durante can help on that one either way.

If it was me, I would pass on this as those 5 points I just can't be sure about.

Glenn

Good observations Glenn and well pointed out too!

theres enough of these about that there's no point rushing in on a possible dodgy one. Patience is key to picking up a nice (and safe) example.

Exactly, sometimes the money is burning a hole and temptation is running high but please remember it is far better to be patient and get a good one than go rushing to buy something that might not be quite right. You have to look at it in your collection and always wonder..............