Bandenkampfabzeichen Help

**ecoffman** · 01-07-2020, 01:46 AM

Hi all, how does this badge look? Sorry for the poor photos, the lighting wasn't the best.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 01-07-2020 01:46 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**ecoffman** · 01-07-2020, 01:48 AM

Also, apologies that the pictures are all turned. I have no clue how to fix that. Thank you in advance for any feedback on this badge!

**MAP** · 01-07-2020, 01:53 AM

Rotating and cropping the photos before uploading usually works.

**ecoffman** · 01-07-2020, 01:54 AM

Cropping is probably what I missed. Thank you!

**MAP** · 01-07-2020, 02:16 AM

by ecoffman

Cropping is probably what I missed. Thank you!

I don't know much about these awards as I have not studied them. Sorry. I just got Scapini's book and will take a look see but not confident I can or should provide an answer. The rear hardware looks good and the "line" mark on the coke bottle hinge is something you should see. The shape of the Swaz and the Skull looks like a type 3 or 4 but beyond that I need to study a bit more.

Hopefully someone will be around

**Ullergaard** · 01-07-2020, 02:18 AM

I like it!
Overall detailing is very good..
Lovely patina on it..
Could very well be an original bronze badge.. hence the greenish colour.. imo great looking badge..
But far from knowledgeable enough to judge 100%
Wait for other opinions.

Best regards,
Lt. Col
Ullergaard

**ecoffman** · 01-07-2020, 02:49 AM

Thank you both for the input! I also think it is good, but I am far from an expert and wanted to see what the community has to say.

**MAP** · 01-07-2020, 04:03 AM

I've looked this over for the last hour and think this is a Type 4. I'm happy for those with more knowledge to correct me if I'm wrong.

The hardware as noted appears correct. The right side of the wreath has 3 layers of oak leaves (rarely seen on other types). The skull while heavily worn, appears to have "steps" on the top and flaws in the eye sockets. Unfortunately the photos can not be expanded enough without pixelating and distorting the image.

That said, Type 4 awards typically have no cut outs but Scalpini notes some rare examples have two cut outs like yours.

**ecoffman** · 01-07-2020, 04:07 AM

Thank you so much for looking into this! If I remember correctly the skull is stepped.

**MAP** · 01-07-2020, 04:27 AM

one of these is on my to get list. Not sure if it is just my limited impression but I often see them with broken pins/catches and many also in relic condition. I'm sure a lot of these were tossed before surrendering.