Bandenkampfabzeichen in bronze,Juncker

[Flieger23]

Hi Adrain

Variances in ceratin places are imo absolutely accepatable - please bear in mind this is a late war badge and material used was a very poor quality.The die itself was a subject of wear , prior another strike the die could be not properly cleaned.Cracks of zinc badges ( in same places ) are specific for Juncker products .Some collectors may refuse the badge because of the cracks - for me , that's another sign of originality ( for example ; cracks on Juncker army para on the reverse 11 o'clock ).
Regarding the skull you don't like : below is the skull of the badge sold on another forum by a moderator ( specialist in BKAs ) - more or less same as Joachim's.
Also please check the skull of mine - it has almost no details ! , there is a strange blob on the left side.
However - I feel very confident with this badge.Imo - perhaps last production run prior switching to die 2 ( or reworking die nbr 1 ).
Everyone has his own way to authenticate the originals, specially BKAs. The badge posted by Joachim - has all features I would look for on original ( except the catch ). Some of the things the fakers are not able to duplicate yet.

regards
flieger23

[Adrian]

Hi Adrain

Variances in ceratin places are imo absolutely accepatable - please bear in mind this is a late war badge and material used was a very poor quality.The die itself was a subject of wear , prior another strike the die could be not properly cleaned.Cracks of zinc badges ( in same places ) are specific for Juncker products .Some collectors may refuse the badge because of the cracks - for me , that's another sign of originality ( for example ; cracks on Juncker army para on the reverse 11 o'clock ).
Regarding the skull you don't like : below is the skull of the badge sold on another forum by a moderator ( specialist in BKAs ) - more or less same as Joachim's.
Also please check the skull of mine - it has almost no details ! , there is a strange blob on the left side.
However - I feel very confident with this badge.Imo - perhaps last production run prior switching to die 2 ( or reworking die nbr 1 ).
Everyone has his own way to authenticate the originals, specially BKAs. The badge posted by Joachim - has all features I would look for on original ( except the catch ). Some of the things the fakers are not able to duplicate yet.

regards
flieger23

Your post above sums up how difficult it is to authenticate these badges. The wide fluctuations in quality, die wear and base material can render the task almost impossible and a huge amount of research needs to go into this badge. Each badge is an individual and should be assessed on it's own merits as there is very little 'standard' to go by.
Thank you for your posts, photos and information, very much appreciated.

[Kradmelder]

Hi Flieger & Adrian,

yes it is sometimes difficult,to authenticate this badges!I mean,it is a interesting tread to learn more about this rare badges.

Thank you flieger,for posting your information about this badge.And congratulation for your very nice original item.Thanks for posting your pictures here!

Cheers
Joachim

[Flieger23]

Hi guys

Recently - I was little obsessed to own one of BKAs. And prior my purchase - i tried to do my homework best I could.I had studied all the forum's threads regarding badge in subject ( that what Joachim did as far as I can see ).Also - evaluated all the fakes available on the market. I had also a chance to hand study of few unquestionable ground dug originals . I'd learned : what original should has and what should has not.
After some years of collecting - I'm leaning towards more forensic evaluation of the badges. As mentioned - there are still features which fakers were not able to catch up : example - cracks in exactly same places .There are more : special tool marks , die flaws , finish , excess of material in same places etc - things which imo should not be openly mentioned of the forums as fakers are monitoring them and their products are subject of continuous improval , using newest technologies.
And also - I'm trying to play safe : if the badge is not a textbook ( has not all finger prints of unquestionable original ) - I pass on it ( however it can still be an original !!! ).
I remember one fact : there was an evaluation once of one 75 GAB by JFS. The discussion was quite hot - the badge had all small details all of originals , except one thing : very poor details of the eagle's legs.My opinion was - a fake. Oh , stupid me... What I had learneed so far regarding late war zinc badges : study first all unquestionable originals , find out what they have in common : type of finishes , tool marks , die flaws, shear marks in same places , material type , material structure - nowadays fakers are using kinda of modern composites not ziinc etc etc .And some differences in small details on the obverse - I don't draw attention any more ( becuse of the reasons mentioned before ). Of course - that is stricte my private approach and not everyone has to agreee with me.

Happy collecting !!!

[Adrian]

Wise words Flieger. Everyone has their own way of identifying and authenticating original badges, some are easier than others but what we've discussed here has been a useful learning tool and provided invaluable reference material for these badges so again, thank you for yours and Joachim's input and the quality photographs you've both provided.

[Kradmelder]

Hi guys

Recently - I was little obsessed to own one of BKAs. And prior my purchase - i tried to do my homework best I could.I had studied all the forum's threads regarding badge in subject ( that what Joachim did as far as I can see ).Also - evaluated all the fakes available on the market. I had also a chance to hand study of few unquestionable ground dug originals . I'd learned : what original should has and what should has not.
After some years of collecting - I'm leaning towards more forensic evaluation of the badges. As mentioned - there are still features which fakers were not able to catch up : example - cracks in exactly same places .There are more : special tool marks , die flaws , finish , excess of material in same places etc - things which imo should not be openly mentioned of the forums as fakers are monitoring them and their products are subject of continuous improval , using newest technologies.
And also - I'm trying to play safe : if the badge is not a textbook ( has not all finger prints of unquestionable original ) - I pass on it ( however it can still be an original !!! ).
I remember one fact : there was an evaluation once of one 75 GAB by JFS. The discussion was quite hot - the badge had all small details all of originals , except one thing : very poor details of the eagle's legs.My opinion was - a fake. Oh , stupid me... What I had learneed so far regarding late war zinc badges : study first all unquestionable originals , find out what they have in common : type of finishes , tool marks , die flaws, shear marks in same places , material type , material structure - nowadays fakers are using kinda of modern composites not ziinc etc etc .And some differences in small details on the obverse - I don't draw attention any more ( becuse of the reasons mentioned before ). Of course - that is stricte my private approach and not everyone has to agreee with me.

Happy collecting !!!

Hi Flieger & guys,

you are collecting philosoph.I think your way to authenticate a badge,is a good way.The fakes will be still better in future and it is sometimes very hard,to say good or bad.

By the time of my collecting hobby,i collecting only a few groups of badges (Fallschirmschützenabzeichen,Nahkampfspangen,Band enkampfabzeichen,Panzervernichter-Abzeichen and Erdkampfabzeichen).At my beginning,i collected all kinds of german military badges (Luftwaffe,Marine,Heer).

Happy collecting too
Joachim

[Flieger23]

Hi Flieger & guys,

you are collecting philosoph.


Joachim

Not sure if this was my intention to be received as a such...
I was just trying to give some other insights for the guys who are paying big $$$$$ for badges on ebay etc. or by "taking a chance " or based upon evaluation of the seller.

regards

[Stewy S]

Hi Joachim is that Paul Schricker's signature on the BKA doc? Stewy

[Kradmelder]

Hi Stewy,

yes you are right.It is the signature from Schricker.

Kind Regards
Joachim