Friedrich Orth aus Wien Flotten-Kriegsabzeichen

**all1knew** · 01-31-2015, 01:21 AM

Gentlemen,

I am trying to help a new collector get started and I would like to show the benefits of this great forum. I will reference this thread to him.

I know this is a poor fake, but hypothetically speaking, let's say this guy posted this item on his own, what would you say? If you believe this badge is a reproduction, tell him why, please enlighten things and give some advice.

I have stated that an authentic FO badge in zinc will never have a catch-plate under the hinge for starters, but what else can you TEACH him about authentic badges from this maker, what is there to learn about?

William Kramer

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 01-31-2015 01:21 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**rbminis** · 01-31-2015, 01:29 AM

Hello William,
I would tell him to learn how to use a camera so that he is able to post reasonably good photos if he expects members to assist him in determining real from fake awards. The devil is in the detail so they say.

From these photos it is impossible to even say if that catch plate is not cast like the hinge.. I see no plate under the hinge....
Ralph.

**big ned** · 01-31-2015, 01:40 AM

Hi William,

Orth made two types of Flottenkreigsabzeichen, both were zinc and one was marked '+' as well as the maker mark f.o. This badge had a recessed sheet metal hinge with an almost ovoid base, but I guess other variants were possibly used. The catch was a tombak '?' shape soldered directly onto the badge.

The second type was just marked f.o. and had 'cast in' hardware. The hinge on your friends badge appears to ape this, but the catch on the oblong base plate is completely wrong and reminiscent of the 'Juncker set up' hardware used by that company and another 'unknown maker'. The catch should be cast directly into the badge with no base plate or crimping marks at all.

The biggest lesson to be learned here really isn't about the badge though, it's about providing good photo's of the piece under question, it's unfair to ask for opinions to be given on such excerable photographic evidence as this......

Regards, Ned.

**Walkwolf** · 01-31-2015, 02:59 AM

The AAF pilot wings are good - or appear to be.

Pics are REALLY bad and should be taken
with a camera, not a phone.........

**all1knew** · 02-06-2015, 04:03 AM

I appreciate you taking this seriously and have discussed your advice with him. Thank you.

William Kramer

**Adrian** · 02-07-2015, 12:59 PM

As said, the photos provided are key. If we have some decent photos to work with it will be easy to point out the differences between a good badge and a bad one.
It will be straightforward to post side by side comparisons of the front and back and point out the things to look for on an original badge. I've said it many times here before, make sure your collector friend focuses on what makes an original, not what makes a fake.