Submarine badge

[iltt]

Yes, Bubniy, there’re so many risk on these badges, I will be careful. Thank you!

[ph3s]

here is a photos of real one, sold on one Russian web site. :)

Not a big fan of badges, but those are so beautiful :idea

[meyerse]

I know these are HEAVILY faked. This one appeals to me as a legit issue one but of course that is the objective of faking them right? Can someone offer me some insight into authenticity and date of this one? IF (and only IF) real, the nut makes me think 1960s. No I don't have a picture yet of the back without the nut but I will soon enough. IT has had a rough life.

I know the answer to this question in other fields, but how does the group feel about a high quality restoration of the enamel? I see what I THINK are real ones of these so rarely I thought I'd pick this one up.

[EricFG]

I think this one might have a better than average chance at being good. I haven't checked any references yet, though. The screwplate looks older than 60s, to me. I'd like to see the reverse of both.

You could try to repair the enamel, it would look more complete. But then it would be forever altered. I put some enamel paint on the shield of a tank badge and it has yellowed to the point of being only very slightly less hideous than without the repair at all. If you do try to repair the enamel you might alos have to unbend the gun, and the periscope and maybe the stern, too. At that point you run the risk of a horrible accident.
Maybe try a very temporary enamel repair; like cutting out a star shape from some clear red plastic, or red paper and tacking it lightly over the area in question?
Good luck!

[Alfred]

As there is only a very little enamel left I would remove the rest and put epoxy resign with a little bit of red nail varnish in it.

You casn get good results with it.

Andreas

[Tretov]

I would leave the cracked enamel as-is. I don't think it is our task as collectors to make these repairs. We don't know what caused the damage, given that the badge is authentic - maybe he fell onto the periscope when his submarine was under attack by Finnish destroyers in the Baltic sea in 1944. He did not choose to repair it, neither should we. IMHO.

[meyerse]

I'm liking the idea of a simple red star sticker cutout for display and otherwise leave it as is, but I'm not sure of the date on this one with respect to Finland and 1944. I suppose it could be but they produced this type of nut after the war, no? I see so few of these that are not obvious fakes as I said, and I don't have the proper reference material to date this one.

[Tretov]

Originally Posted by meyerse

I'm liking the idea of a simple red star sticker cutout for display and otherwise leave it as is, but I'm not sure of the date on this one with respect to Finland and 1944. I suppose it could be but they produced this type of nut after the war, no? I see so few of these that are not obvious fakes as I said, and I don't have the proper reference material to date this one.

The WW2 action mentioned was just an example to why I think we should not repair stuff that we did not break. Still if it is a postwar piece, which it may be, there could be a reason behind the damage. Plus, as has been said, the methods we possess to repair would not give a result that could match the original.

[CtahhR]

Red felt tip pen works... and rubs off without leaving a trace.

The "combat worn awards" thread is an old one somewhere around here however most items are damaged by dropping them, house fires, children! - we all know the deal.

I have the second highest Bulgarian Order which was heavily damaged whilst the rather drunken recipient was wearing it and taking it off. "Wounded in action"?

[meyerse]

Yup, she's had a hard life.

But things look on the up and up....

Any thoughts on year now? Can somebody with an Avers take a look and see what they think?