WTK about German war badges-PICS included now (thanks Pete for photo help)
 

I've run across a German U-boat badge at a gunshow yesterday. I bought it for almost nothing just becuase I thought it was neat. It was mixed in with a bunch of U.S. award medals and watches. When asking the man selling the items where this particular German badge came from, he stated it was mixed in with a lot of stuff from an auction he bought. He had no idea of its origin.

I took it to a collector of these things. That collector took it to some of his fellow collectors. They all agreed its an original.

Okay, the badge has the stamp "DESCHLERSOHN" on the back. The collectors tell me due to the weight of the badge, detail on the sub and eagle and such and the fact that the maker (or stamp on the back) is not a well known maker that they thought it to be genuine.

I have no idea. Any other way to tell if its original or not? Thanks for all help out there. Compared to one that the collectors were selling, I can't tell them apart.

Minnigun, One way to ease your mind is to look at the propeller area. The Germans went to great lengths to cast good detail into this. The running gear should be clear and detailed. Repro's do not have this detail. It is washed out. Jerry Burney

Thanks for your help. The prop detail was one of the things the collectors told me they used to determine mine was original. It is crisp and well detailed.

Minigun, here is a link to an authentic example, scroll down to the last entry...

http://www.snyderstreasures.com/pages/germanbadges.htm

Here are photos of the badge Kelly asked about...Kelly asked that I might post the photos for him :

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...vy_badge_1.jpg

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...ge_2_copy1.jpg

I would be very cautious in doing business with this dealer (Snyder) as I have read nothing but negative reports on his goods.

Thanks for all the help guys. Any "little tricks" to make 100% sure she's original. I wouldn't sell it, I just wanted to know for my own knowledge. I bought it thinking it was going to be a fake (especially for as little as it cost) just to fill up corner space in pictures when I photo'ed my Lugers.

Minnigun, Looks authentic to me. All the details are crisp and sharp. Sounds like you got a good deal. Jerry Burney

Kelly,
Deschler & Sohn were very proflic makers of both German military and civilian badges in the 1933-45 timeframe. Many post-war reproductions also carry the Deschler maker mark. I'm traveling right now and don't have my reference books with me, but I am concerned that the legs of the swastika on your badge are solid and not cut-out. The germans were very proud of their national emblem and rarely do the original badges have solid swastikas. I will take a better look when I get back home this weekend and give you some additional feedback, but if you look at the examples on Snyders website you will note the difference. George is correct in that it pays to be cautious buying from some of the military websites, as the level of reproductions these days is almost overwhelming and the quality of the repros is as good or better than some of the originals. Kind of like some Lugers you see now days.
Lyn

Once again, the devil is in the details...Jerry Burney

Hmmm, interesting. The Swastika may hold the key then. I also noticed that on the examples on "Snyder's" web site that the Swastika's are "cut out" unlike mine (as mine is solid). The examples on "Snyder's" web site also show different back pin clips too though. So, I still don't know and would be really interested to know the true origin.

None of these had solid Swastika's? Why would this company make "post war" badges like this?

Sure hope this is not the infamous " CHARLIE SNYDER" Thought some one shot him.

Same one Ritchie.

Kelly,
I should also have mentioned that Deschler's maker mark is normally written as "Deschler & Sohn " and not run together as on your badge.
Lyn

Whoa! Sounding worse and worse. The name maker never ran together ever?