Pre-war Badge thread

[rotmeister]

So much for worries, so little for consolation. That only confirms my doubts. Few years I encountered 5 Sanitar Batalion (from Cracow) by F. Malina made recently from original matrix with silver and makers mark. Fortunately my friend knew its "maker".

regards
rotmeister

[A.J. Zawadzki]

. . . I encountered 5 Sanitar Batalion (from Cracow) by F. Malina made recently from original matrix with silver and makers mark. Fortunately my friend knew its "maker".

Bingo. As I said, one needs to be especially wary of the Krakow badges, and by extension some of the local dealers. It's unfortunate that a few bad apples are spoiling the bunch.

Regards,
Tony

[kosa]

More than once over the years I've heard that one needs to exercise particular caution with the Krakow badges. It is, shall we say, a known hotbed of creative entrepreneurial activity in the area of collectible military artifacts.(...)
Regards,
Tony

Hi Tony,

That's correct. It's only regimental badges but also cap badges from the Krakow area one must be cautious about.

Cheers,
Kosa

[A.J. Zawadzki]

Thanks Kosa. I suppose it’s not entirely fair to single out Krakow, as the same warning applies to purchasing militaria from anyone anywhere. But Krakow has gained a bit of a reputation for producing some of the more deceptive fakes, such as the 122 Eskadra badge / document pairing covered in post #197 from back in 2010:

https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/polis...agles-1980-20/

Regards,
Tony

[kosa]

Tony, perhaps it’s not entirely fair but Krakow counterfeiters are very skilled engravers and medaliers. They are professionals. Even seasoned collectors may fall prey to their forgeries because of very high quality of the fakes. Prices go up and the criminals follow the market.

Cheers,
Kosa

[rsunday]

Hi,
Also many fakes of WW II docs come from Cracow and area.
Rafal

[a77]

Hi.
Here is 5th Zasławski Cavalry Regiment. What do you think?

[jaxmon]

Hi.
Here is 5th Zasławski Cavalry Regiment. What do you think?

Welcome to forum a77
Genuine, NCO badge. This certain badge was lacquered in contrast to officers version, which was enameled. Everything with this badge looks correct, up to profile stamped technique. I'll give it 100% proof.
Great find, rare version of NCO badge

[a77]

Thanks Jaxmon!

All the best,
Andrzej

[a77]

Hello.
What do you think about this badge? There are two opinions: first version of 1st Mounted Rifles Regiment (1 Pułk Strzelców Konnych), second version this is sport badge of 1 PSK officer's club.

Best regards,
Andrzej