A study in Gold Party Badge backs/pins/numbers

[ServerAdmin]

Hi All!

I thought it would be interesting to study just the backs, pins and numbering of gold party badges. To start, I provide 19 GPBs for a small sample that hopefully people can add to. 19 may not be a statistically significant sample, but there are some interesting trends already apparent:

5 of the GPBs have military style pins (2 'skinny' military style)
1 has a screwback pin
9 have either a repaired, replaced or broken pin
6 have numbers placed on an oval (all Fuess GPBs)
13 have readily visible gas vents
11 are marked Ges Gesch (5 in raised letters, all military style pins)
1 is marked Deschler Munchen in raised letters (24mm Deschler)
1 has a line under the numbers (for alignment?)

Based on these trends, there are a few conclusions that I have made... First and foremost is there is NO doubt that the existing pins sucked and while there were only 3 original pin attachments, 9 different pins are found in this sample. I am not sure how rare military pins truly are, but I now realize I should look for raised 'Ges Gesch' on any military GPBs.

Anyone else have backs to share or assumptions that can be made by this study?

[ServerAdmin]

More backs

[ServerAdmin]

even more backs

[StephenL]

Here are a few unusual backs. There really is no end to the replacement types as these were often done by local jewelers with whatever pin types they had on hand.

[StephenL]

Here is one in my collection with a custom and clever modification when the clip end broke off. It has been replaced with a sliding barrel, known as a "French clip".

[RaymondG]

A very interesting thread and it is great to see such weird and wonderful variations.

Here is my contribution that I have previously posted.

Raymond

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Stephen, that screwback looks like one taken from a Soviet award!

Cheers, Ade.

[StephenL]

[QUOTE=Adrian Stevenson;15483]Hi Stephen, that screwback looks like one taken from a Soviet award!

Cheers, Ade.

[QUOTE]

++++++

It could be - I have a photo of one somewhere that looks like a period restoration, except the screwback device has a US Patent mark. I think a lot of small and local jewelers used whatever was at hand, and even recycled parts from other pieces. All of us have a junk drawer somewhere, and jewelers are no different.

[StephenL]

This is a modification (John Pepera's collection, I think - hope he doesn't mind me sharing) to allow the small badge to be worn as a stickpin.

[StephenL]

Here's the classic factory-applied tab back.

It was only available on the small badge as a factory option, but I think Bob Coleman has a large badge and tunic modified to wear a tab-backed large badge on the pocket (basically a second buttonhole in the middle of the tunic pocket below the flap). He has posted photos in other forums if you search.

[Erich S]

It still baffles me that such a fragile pin was used for such an important award. The same was true with the 1st pattern Coburg badge.

[Wim Vangossum]

No need to search other forums. I've a modified large and small set from Stan pictured in my "Fact & Figures" :D


Regards, Wim :)

[RaymondG]

It still baffles me that such a fragile pin was used for such an important award. The same was true with the 1st pattern Coburg badge.

I guess that they simply did not do any tests on it being 'fit for use' back then. The badge is heavier than normal badges and would naturally have been worn a hell of a lot. It would have also been transferred from one outfit to another a fair amount.

It does surprise me that they did not 'beef up' the pin assembly on later production for replacement badges etc. I recall seeing the 'lost' lists somewhere and the lists were extensive to say the least.

Raymond

[jwburchell]

Here is a matched pair from my collection with a seldom-seen brooch-type pin attachment.

Regards,
John

[George Stimson]

May we see the fronts, please?

[jwburchell]

Fronts it is...happy to show them, George (large on the left, small on the right).
John

[George Stimson]

Very nice! Thank you!

[wilhelm saris]

Hey John,
nice to see you here.
When do you come over again to the Netherlands?

[RaymondG]

Here is a matched pair from my collection with a seldom-seen brooch-type pin attachment.

Regards,
John

Hi John

Most unusual pin assemblies.

Welcome to the forum :thumbup:

Raymond

[jwburchell]

Thanks for your welcome, Wim & Raymond. I hope that I can make some interesting contributions here.

[der-hase-fee]

I believe this one has not been shown here before.

[der-hase-fee]

This one, neither.

[der-hase-fee]

These certainly look different:

[der-hase-fee]

Another variant.

[der-hase-fee]

How about this one ?

[der-hase-fee]

Another button hole kind. Doesn't look too professional, either.

[der-hase-fee]

In contrast, something quite extraordinary.

Thanks to Kai Winkler !

[Jo_Rivett]

The one on the Right, is similar to post #21, typical Period Jewelers repair. Both the badges pictured here are the same size, Original and replacement, for the same Man.
Something seldom seen. Images from Jamie Cross Militaria.

[der-hase-fee]

The one on the Right, is similar to post #21, typical Period Jewelers repair. Both the badges pictured here are the same size, Original and replacement, for the same Man.
Something seldom seen. Images from Jamie Cross Militaria.

Those numbers on the left badge are really crooked ! What was the guy smoking that day or the night before ? Are you sure is genuine ?

[Jo_Rivett]

Are you sure is genuine ?
yes, quite sure. I know that they are not in the best of conditions, but certainly a rare find, and interesting for someone who collects them? Maybe the engraving (Carving) was done by a Friend Jewler who was on the bottle? or a homemade job?

[Erich S]

These badges are really good examples of how poor the original pin devices were.

[der-hase-fee]

yes, quite sure. I know that they are not in the best of conditions, but certainly a rare find, and interesting for someone who collects them? Maybe the engraving (Carving) was done by a Friend Jewler who was on the bottle? or a homemade job?

Isn't Steven stressing the point that re-issues were always made by Fuess or Deschler respectively ? At least ordering was always to be initiated through the Gauamt. At the bottom line, nobody should have had access to unnumbered badges to have engraved him-/herself. Maybe at the end or after the war someone ransacked the warehouse ...

[Jo_Rivett]

Isn't Steven stressing the point that re-issues were always made by Fuess or Deschler respectively ? At least ordering was always to be initiated through the Gauamt. At the bottom line, nobody should have had access to unnumbered badges to have engraved him-/herself. Maybe at the end or after the war someone ransacked the warehouse ...

There are enough unmarked and "home engraved" originals on the market/in collections. Just look at those two Winkler "replacement" badges.....who impressed the numbers on them? Fuess? Deschler? Doubt it very much.
Maybe GIs did get their hands on a box of blanks, that`s well possible, but these two here, that Jamie is offering, are 101%, with no black magic attached. Being a collector of Variants and oddities, i`m surprised no one has bought them yet? must be the £1350.- price tag :crying:

[der-hase-fee]

Similar to the one in post #10.

[ServerAdmin]

As an owner of an unnumbered GPB, I wonder how someone would number an existing badge. My thoughts are that most people would crack the enamel trying to renumber a badge.

Jason

[Wim Vangossum]

As an owner of an unnumbered GPB, I wonder how someone would number an existing badge. My thoughts are that most people would crack the enamel trying to renumber a badge.

Jason

It's only possible to engraving an already enameled badge. It's save to assume that every attempt to press or even worse -smash- a number in that back results in broken glass :w00t:

Regards, Wim :)

[der-hase-fee]

must be the £1350.- price tag :crying:

So with your proven banking skills, what's that in more commonly used currencies such as $ and € ?

[der-hase-fee]

Similar to the one in post #10.

Just realized this is the same style pin as on Erich's Sollmann badge. Hope he doesn't mind me posting the picture for him.

[der-hase-fee]

The one on the Right, is similar to post #21, typical Period Jewelers repair. Both the badges pictured here are the same size, Original and replacement, for the same Man.
Something seldom seen. Images from Jamie Cross Militaria.

1) Mon OR woman.

2) Did you notice the other oddity on the right one ? Appears to never have had the original pin (no remaining solder, no scr_aping marks - nothing !).

PS: What a smart system, keeps replacing ...C R A P... with **** !

[Jo_Rivett]

So with your proven banking skills, what's that in more commonly used currencies such as $ and € ?
If you cant use an Online converter, then i cant help you either. It would have taken you 1 or 2 mouse clicks to do that conversion for yourself. Oh, i do realize that it was actually another one of your subtle insults, but you`ll have to play that game alone mate.
1)
What a smart system, keeps replacing ...C R A P... with **** !
That IS, a bold statement.

[der-hase-fee]

Oh, i do realize that it was actually another one of your subtle insults, but you`ll have to play that game alone mate.



Okay, I admit it: Just wanted to avoid to be accused of wanting to take advantage of someone again. ~1,500 €, which is a pile of green these days.

[der-hase-fee]

As an owner of an unnumbered GPB, I wonder how someone would number an existing badge. My thoughts are that most people would crack the enamel trying to renumber a badge.

Jason

Care to share pictures ?

[der-hase-fee]

Here are a few unusual backs. There really is no end to the replacement types as these were often done by local jewelers with whatever pin types they had on hand.

Found one similar, but then different again !

[Mike Peters]

Here’s one of mine that a Jeweler did a fantastic job on …The soldering was so well done that it almost looks like that assembly came on the Badge originally.

[der-hase-fee]

I'm sure John won't mind:

[der-hase-fee]

Another one, but also broken:

[der-hase-fee]

Has this one, or a similar one, been shown before ? Maybe Raymond's in post #6.

[der-hase-fee]

Just realized this is the same style pin as on Erich's Sollmann badge. Hope he doesn't mind me posting the picture for him.

Jeff Clark traded in just like this during the last SOS. Put a price tag of $1,995 on it !

[der-hase-fee]

Here is a matched pair from my collection with a seldom-seen brooch-type pin attachment.

Regards,
John

Looks very much like the reverse of a GPB for foreigners.

[Erich S]

Looks very much like the reverse of a GPB for foreigners.

There is no proof that the is badge actually existed. To my knowledge there are no period pictures of it in wear.

[Jo_Rivett]

There is no proof that the is badge actually existed. To my knowledge there are no period pictures of it in wear.
Erich, the badge pictured above is .. :scared:.. look at that Jewelers clasp .. found on Fake HJ Skiing badges !! No, that's a fake IMO.. weitze also had a similar Party Pin for Foreigners a while back, in a box, he was asking €2000.- and it looked nothing like this one. The reverse too, was very different.

After the 2008 SOS, i was offered the following, a Golden Party Badge for Foreigners... from this guy (http://www.friedrich-restaurierungen.com/start.htm). The asking price was (if i remember) around €600.- Pictures below.

[Wim Vangossum]

That wreath is horrible. Anyway: the only time I read something about this kind of award was in Eva's biografie. According to the writer Eva received a badge like thit from Hitler? but no idea based on what source.

Regards, Wim :)

[Jo_Rivett]

Wim, sorry, let me explain more. I wasn`t actually "at" the 2008 SOS, but a friend of mine from MASS was looking out for AO items for me, and the guy i mentioned above, was set up next to my friend..and had a few AO pieces... after the SOS when he returned to Germany, i got in contact with him, as my friend had passed on the info that he had some pieces for me....
Anyway, i was also given his website (link above) so i had a look see, and contacted him. The only pictures he sent me, were these that i showed above.......:scared:
I dont like unclear pictures, and when you look at this guys website, and see what he does for a living, you would "Expect" better, professional quality pictures.. especially on a Strange item like this.? So i asked him for better pictures... then a few months later i heard nothing, so i mailed him again, and asked for Better pictures...nothing...... so...go figure??

[Erich S]

Jo, better pictures wouldn't matter IMO. This is one ugly fake.

[Jo_Rivett]

Jo, better pictures wouldn't matter IMO. This is one ugly fake.

Erich, i wanted them for my Library too. :001_rolleyes: Funny thing is, we start talking about rare stuff like this, and Viola, it starts popping up all over the show. This (below) is up for auction this week. Described as the same.. Gold badge fro foreigners ...ai ai ai.... This looks more like the one Weitze had, but the box was different and there was no Addy signature or number on the back. I was toying with buying it... but noone was able to issue me with more info. (And all i found so far, is whats in Formans Guide )

[Erich S]

Erich, i wanted them for my Library too. :001_rolleyes: Funny thing is, we start talking about rare stuff like this, and Viola, it starts popping up all over the show. This (below) is up for auction this week. Described as the same.. Gold badge fro foreigners ...ai ai ai.... This looks more like the one Weitze had, but the box was different and there was no Addy signature or number on the back. I was toying with buying it... but noone was able to issue me with more info. (And all i found so far, is whats in Formans Guide )

Jo, there is no proof these were ever awarded. David Littlejohn shows a silver one in his 1969 book and he states the same. Again, without period photos it would be putting good money after bad IMO.

[Jo_Rivett]

Erich, what about Forman´s Guide to Third Reich German Awards, Band 3, Page 246, Nr. 193. ? LOL :sneaky2: That is why i could`nt bring myself to buy Weitzes one, no info at all...and plenty on the market.

[der-hase-fee]

Great, you guys are back ! It just takes the right post to spark a discussion. :)

Nobody has addressed the documents that come with the badge at HH, though. Anything ?

[Jo_Rivett]

Nobody has addressed the documents that come with the badge at HH, though. Anything ?
I think it was the other way around, that the Badge was added later on. All i can tell you about these, is what Adrian Forman writes..... "It is doubtful if a certificate was ever issued..Adolf Hitler is Known to have presented such awards to Several non-NSDAP members as a visable sign of personal favour, Dr. Klietmann refers to several known examples of this rare award. Col.C.M Dodkins referred to an award to Admiral Horthy, premier of Hungary in Littlejohn & Dodkins 1st Edition 1968, now in this authors collection"

The only "possible" correct badge i have seen was at Weitzes, and after months of looking at it, i declined... (the reverse was blanko...no number or Addy signature) and IMHO, a normal Austrian made Sympathizer badge.

I dont see how the AO could have had separate Gold badges like the one i was offered. Maybe there is some substance that Adolf gave a few away? but specially made for this purpose? and not mentioned anywhere? or pictured anywhere...

And as for that Auction house mentioned HH, well it has been proved that they have sold Exorbitantly expensive items before that were Fakes. (one was discussed here in the GPB thread a while ago) so just because their name is behind an item, adds no Special Clout IMGHO !

[Erich S]

One of the many things that always bothered me about the Gold Badge for foreigners was the gold content mark.

[Br. James]

Like most of you, I have both collected and studied the Golden Party Badge for a long, long time and those studies have produced a few thoughts that I'd like to share with you:
* It does seem that the diaper-pin-backed GPB -- Deschler of both sizes and Fuess-marked -- often are seen with replaced pins, and this has been assumed to mean that the original pin plates were of inferior attachment by both manufacturers. This need for replacement of diaper-pins is as compared with the Deschler military-pin-backed badges, where one sees considerably less instance of replaced pins. I suggest that the problem may have developed with the frequency of attaching the diaper-pin model to various civilian garments, which always had to be done by the application of pressure to the pin and thence to the pin plate, whereas relatively little pressure was needed to open and close the military pin. And given that the military pin was not designed to penetrate heavy fabric -- the pin being blunt since it was designed to be used with separately-applied loops mounted on the pocket material -- this pin was attached to the uniform with considerably less pressure at a number of points on the badge than that of the diaper-pin models.
* Do we really know for a fact that 'there were fewer large Deschler GPBs manufactured of both pin styles than that of the civilian models?' Since we really don't know how GPBs were ordered and sold -- meaning how the Fuess badge wound up coupled with a large Deschler of the same number -- I have always assumed that the original order that an Alte Kampfer placed with the National Party Treasurer's Office eventually brought the recipient one or more examples of the Deschler badge, and that if additional small badges were wanted in the future, these came from Deumer or whoever was manufacturing the Fuess-stamped small GPBs. Given that a large number of German citizens belonged to one or several uniformed organizations, either for political purposes or representing certain industries (the post office, the railroads, fire departments, police, airlines, commercial and passenger shipping, RAD, etc., etc.), it may have been that the prevalence of the large badge was more common in society than we imagine. And at war's end, when many of these same people were trying to distance themselves from anything connected with the National Socialist Party or Government, we often see that GPBs were thrown out with the uniforms they were worn on -- large GPBs, anyway -- while the small ones continued to reside in their owners' jewelry boxes in their bedrooms at home. One assumes that while all NSDAP members at least on occasion wore civilian clothes, not all of these same people were members of uniformed organizations and therefore there must have been more of the small GPBs created than the large ones. But it may also be true that since the diaper-pin-backed badges tended to break more frequently than the military-pin style, this may have caused the greater frequency of small badge re-orders. It is also possible that members of uniformed organizations may have ordered as many copies of their GPB as the number of uniforms they owned, thus making it less necessary to remove the GPBs from their loops than similar cases with civilian clothes. Any other thoughts on these mental wanderings?

Br. James

[Br. James]

Please forgive my ignorance of what has been discussed previously, but I have assumed that GPBs were assembled and packaged like any other product. This would mean that the brass baseplate was stamped out first. But what would the second step have been? Would the number have been stamped or cut into the reverse next, or would the separately-produced NSDAP logo have been affixed to the obverse next? Of concern would be the timing of the gilt-firing of the baseplate, since it has always appeared to me that the numbers and "Ges. Gesch." stamping, when present, were in place on the reverse prior to the gilt-firing of the baseplate and this enabled a uniform appearance of the number and the reverse. It has never appeared that the number had been cut or stamped into the reverse after the gilt-firing, but this would raise the question as to how the NSDAP logo button was protected from the gilt-firing process if the baseplate was fired before the logo was attached? And one hears a variety of ways that the numbers themselves were either die-stamped or cut into the surface of each badge's reverse -- do we have any hard information as to how these numbers were included on each badge? The numbers on Fuess-named GPBs seem to often be individually hand-set and that may have something to do with the circular pattern used on Fuess badges, but the small Deschler badges with button-hole studs also bear numbers applied along the bottom edge of those badges and they also follow a circular pattern. Are there any facts or opinions out there...?!

Many thanks, as always,

Br. James

[der-hase-fee]

Given that a large number of German citizens belonged to one or several uniformed organizations, either for political purposes or representing certain industries (the post office, the railroads, fire departments, police, airlines, commercial and passenger shipping, RAD, etc., etc.), it may have been that the prevalence of the large badge was more common in society than we imagine.
Br. James

Hello James,
appreciate your contributions. A few things I'd like to comment on.

I am not sure we'll ever know, but I understand the military style pin got his name for a reason. It appears that these were issued for wearing on a uniform of the armed forces (Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, SS) as applicable, but not necessarily to anyone who'd wear a uniform and eventually a dagger with it.

I appreciate your theory that most large GPB's were issued with military style pin, but we do not find these as frequently anymore because they were thrown out with the uniforms they were attached to. However, there is quite a large number of sets (one large and small GPB each with matching numbers) out there today, which may suggest the original owners treasured them very much and held on to them after the defeat. (In a few rare instances up to six GPB's make a set !) From my experience the majority of sets is a combination of small Fuess and large Deschler, both with diaper-pin, if not replaced to non standard.

I don't know how it would have been distinguished which style pin large GPB to procure initially (check box on the order form, educated guess or whatever ?). Maybe the diaper-pin combination was the standard initial issue and the military style large GBP (and even other style pins) could be acquired on special order, which might suggest that these would have survived in fewer numbers.

[der-hase-fee]

... since it has always appeared to me that the numbers and "Ges. Gesch." stamping, when present, were in place on the reverse prior to the gilt-firing of the baseplate ...
Br. James

James, have you taken the existance of unnumbered GPB's into consideration or not ?

[Br. James]

Thanks for your responses to my ramblings, Andreas. Since so many of the fine details of the GPB creation and ordering processes are apparently unknown and will probably remain that way forever, this has caused my mind to meander in imagining why things we find today are the way they are.

Your comment on the military style pin closes with "but not necessarily to anyone who'd wear a uniform and eventually a dagger with it." What does the presence of a dagger refer to?

I agree that many of the known GPB matched sets include one or more large Deschler and one or more small Fuess, which contributes to my theory that the Fuess badge was possibly issued as a replacement for a small Deschler. This theory, in turn, originates in my inability to imagine that a matched set of GPBs could have been originally issued by the Treasurer's Office in the form of a large Deschler and a small Fuess badge in the same box! The chance of this actually taking place seems so remote to me, given that orders to two different manufacturers would have had to be issued, back-ordered, received into inventory independently and eventually matched up, placed together in the same presentation case and shipped out to the purchaser. The only way it could have worked -- IMO -- is if matched sets were only ordered through Deschler; if someone wanted just a single civilian badge, either as an original order or as a replacement for a lost or broken badge, then that order would have been placed with whoever manufactured the Fuess-named badge -- Wilhelm Deumer perhaps? In that way we would see today that there are matched sets which include a large Deschler and a small Fuess in the same box.

What happened to GPBs that lost their original pins? Perhaps they are the ones that wound up with jeweler-attached studs or chained pins...?

I appreciate the conundrum you present as to how the variety of mixed pin combinations originated, and I have no answers...only more questions! But I think that the entire GPB process from the beginning of the manufacturing process right through to the receiving of the finished and numbered badge was a 'special order' -- at least as regards the numbered badges. The AH Honorary GPBs would have been made up in quantity by reverse date, though the quantities would have been so small that they would probably have been considered 'special orders' just like the numbered badges.

While I don't know how the individual numbers were applied to the reverse, this does make each badge entirely unique, and it would have meant that it would have taken months if not a year to actually receive your own GPB in your hand. In answer to your question: I don't believe I have ever heard that there were genuine "unnumbered GPBs" in existence, so I would not have considered them as I was developing my theory -- such as it is! Anyone with further information on the number-application process -- whether die-stamping or engraving by some means -- would be very welcome at this moment!

This exchange is quite fascinating and I much appreciate your comments and input, Andreas! Thank You!

James

[der-hase-fee]

Your comment on the military style pin closes with "but not necessarily to anyone who'd wear a uniform and eventually a dagger with it." What does the presence of a dagger refer to?

Hello James,
I just meant to clearly make a difference as to what "armed forces" would refer to and what not.

[der-hase-fee]

This theory, in turn, originates in my inability to imagine that a matched set of GPBs could have been originally issued by the Treasurer's Office in the form of a large Deschler and a small Fuess badge in the same box! The chance of this actually taking place seems so remote to me, given that orders to two different manufacturers would have had to be issued, back-ordered, received into inventory independently and eventually matched up, placed together in the same presentation case and shipped out to the purchaser.

You are describing a perfectly fine process, which I am convinced could still work in today's Germany ! There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that it could have been done then !

[der-hase-fee]

While I don't know how the individual numbers were applied to the reverse, this does make each badge entirely unique, and it would have meant that it would have taken months if not a year to actually receive your own GPB in your hand.

I agree that if the numbers were applied during the manufacturing process, it would have taken a "long" time to make the personalized badges available. I may be able to check some documentation to see how long it took from ordering to delivering, at least in one specific replacement case.

I wonder whether anyone could determine from closely examining the numbers whether these could have been applied after the fire gilding.

[Br. James]

Thanks Andreas, and if that's so, then maybe that's also the reason it took so long for orders to be filled and shipped! I'd certainly hate to be the accountant who had to keep the billings from the manufacturers straight!!

As to the military and non-military pin-backs, I suppose that could be the case. I wonder if anyone has done a study of attributed GPBs with military pins to see if those people wore military and not political uniforms? Or vice-versa with the diaper-pin backs?

James

[der-hase-fee]

I agree that if the numbers were applied during the manufacturing process, it would have taken a "long" time to make the personalized badges available. I may be able to check some documentation to see how long it took from ordering to delivering, at least in one specific replacement case.

I got lucky, the top page in the first folder I opened contained what I was looking for:
In the cover letter for the replacement of a small GPB dated February 14, 1939 a reference is made to the order dated January 3 of the same year. That is only 6 weeks apart, maybe as few as 5 weeks allowing 1 for the order to be delivered.

I suggest that the unnumbered GPB had been available and all it took to fill the order was to engrave the missing number.

[Br. James]

That's wonderful documentation, Andreas; I had no idea that a GPB could be replaced in such a short period of time! As I understand it, it took many months for one to receive their permanent NSDAP Membership Book after application, and even longer to receive one's first GPB after application, so I assumed that such delays were universally inherent in the process. Glad to know otherwise!

From your file of correspondence, was there any reference to either a Deschler or a Fuess-marked badge?

The issue of cutting or engraving membership numbers on the reverse of a GPB is certainly interesting, isn't it? Literally all of the genuine GPBs I have ever seen, either in my own collection or in the hands of other collectors or dealers, have possessed a uniformly-applied gilt finish to the entire badge -- obverse and reverse -- which tells me that the finish was applied in one application. This includes the area where the numbers are cut or engraved. It seems to me that if the numbers were applied by some means as the final step in completing a badge order, then the gold finish in the area of the cutting/engraving would appear different than that of the rest of the badge. How likely is it that the numbers could be cut into a previously-gilded badge and then the area around the cutting filled with the same giltwork and matched in completely, as though the numbers were there from the beginning of the piece?

Again, many thanks for the information from your files; most helpful!

James

[der-hase-fee]

From your file of correspondence, was there any reference to either a Deschler or a Fuess-marked badge?

James

Hi James, no reference to the maker had been made. If the one I have is this replacement, it was a Deschler.

http://www.worldwarmilitaria.com/forum/showpost.php?p=49918&postcount=11

[der-hase-fee]

I got lucky, the top page in the first folder I opened contained what I was looking for:
In the cover letter for the replacement of a small GPB dated February 14, 1939 a reference is made to the order dated January 3 of the same year. That is only 6 weeks apart, maybe as few as 5 weeks allowing 1 for the order to be delivered.

I suggest that the unnumbered GPB had been available and all it took to fill the order was to engrave the missing number.

Another example, this time for a large GPB. The cover letter is dated August 12, 1941; the order - actually a request made by the recipient himself ! - had been dated July 7, 1941. That's 5 weeks ! :biggrin:

[der-hase-fee]

Another example, this time for a large GPB. The cover letter is dated August 12, 1941; the order - actually a request made by the recipient himself ! - had been dated July 7, 1941. That's 5 weeks ! :biggrin:

One more I have just come across: Ordered July 6th / cover letter dated September 1st, 1938 (7 weeks).

[der-hase-fee]

One more I have just come across: Ordered July 6th / cover letter dated September 1st, 1938 (7 weeks).

Another example of a replacement badge being processed: Request letter dated July 2nd, 1941; response with reference to included replacement dated August 18th, 1941. About 6 weeks it is !

[der-hase-fee]

Did anyone ever come across the MM on the pin plate double or triple punched like this one ?

PS: The needle isn't quite pointy, either.

[der-hase-fee]

Another large GPB without any marking on the pin plate. Compare to post #24 (http://www.worldwarmilitaria.com/forum/showpost.php?p=39204&postcount=24).