5 Years Trade Union Railway Badge

ericlida · 04-05-2010, 07:38 PM

Currently on eBay.
I need an opinion of the Forum members (experts ;)).
Is this badge original?

deValcourt · 04-05-2010, 08:33 PM

Eric, I have to say that this is probably the best condition I have ever seen a badge in that is this old. It is absolutely perfect. No wear on the lettering or any of the details; no visible damage to the enamel. The screwnut looks at least period if not original. In fact it is almost too perfect, too new. However, having said that, I have also never seen a badge copy that is this good either. They usually have some detail flaws because of the lack of craftsmanship, but I can't see any here. Even the screw post base is not the mess that so many fakes have. It appears to have been stored away somewhere for many decades and then polished up recently. That is my best assessment and hope.:D

Phillip

ericlida · 04-05-2010, 11:22 PM

The condition of the badge, what scares me.
The badge is more than 80 years old, but looks like new. :confused:

Alfred · 04-06-2010, 12:00 AM

:confused:

No mint mark or producer mark on the srew nut.

There seems to be a silver mark (head 80) below the ribbon 1918-1923.

best regards
Andreas

ericlida · 04-06-2010, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfred

:confused:

No mint mark or producer mark on the srew nut.

There seems to be a silver mark (head 80) below the ribbon 1918-1923.

best regards
Andreas

Yes there is a silver mark below the ribon

deValcourt · 04-06-2010, 07:02 PM

Can you make out any detail about the maker's mark? That could be the "flaw" that broke the camel's back - so to speak.:rolleyes: Without a standard to compare it to, all I can do is hope, though that is beginning to dwindle too each time I look at the "newness." All of my pre-GPW badges have at least a few tiny hairline cracks in the enamel from the normal expansion and contraction of the metal in different temperatures.

More importantly, I found a website last night where really outstanding copies are being sold of very old, pre-war badges. They are even gold and silver plated when appropriate to match the correct color. The really scary part is that some of the railway (and other) badge copies are numbered like the originals and when these hit eBay in the wrong hands, watch yourselves...:(

Phillip

EricFG · 04-06-2010, 02:26 AM

I'd be shocked if it were legit.
Just an uninformed observation.

04-05-2010, 08:33 PM	#2
deValcourt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cajun Country Age: 56 Posts: 1,565	Re: 5 Years Trade Union Railway Badge Eric, I have to say that this is probably the best condition I have ever seen a badge in that is this old. It is absolutely perfect. No wear on the lettering or any of the details; no visible damage to the enamel. The screwnut looks at least period if not original. In fact it is almost too perfect, too new. However, having said that, I have also never seen a badge copy that is this good either. They usually have some detail flaws because of the lack of craftsmanship, but I can't see any here. Even the screw post base is not the mess that so many fakes have. It appears to have been stored away somewhere for many decades and then polished up recently. That is my best assessment and hope.:D Phillip __________________ Phillip

04-05-2010, 11:22 PM	#3
ericlida Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon, USA Age: 71 Posts: 761	Re: 5 Years Trade Union Railway Badge The condition of the badge, what scares me. The badge is more than 80 years old, but looks like new. :confused:

04-06-2010, 12:00 AM	#4
Alfred Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Germany, Cologne Posts: 626	Re: 5 Years Trade Union Railway Badge :confused: No mint mark or producer mark on the srew nut. There seems to be a silver mark (head 80) below the ribbon 1918-1923. best regards Andreas

04-06-2010, 07:02 PM	#6
deValcourt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cajun Country Age: 56 Posts: 1,565	Re: 5 Years Trade Union Railway Badge Can you make out any detail about the maker's mark? That could be the "flaw" that broke the camel's back - so to speak.:rolleyes: Without a standard to compare it to, all I can do is hope, though that is beginning to dwindle too each time I look at the "newness." All of my pre-GPW badges have at least a few tiny hairline cracks in the enamel from the normal expansion and contraction of the metal in different temperatures. More importantly, I found a website last night where really outstanding copies are being sold of very old, pre-war badges. They are even gold and silver plated when appropriate to match the correct color. The really scary part is that some of the railway (and other) badge copies are numbered like the originals and when these hit eBay in the wrong hands, watch yourselves...:( Phillip __________________ Phillip

04-06-2010, 02:26 AM	#7
EricFG Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Naples, Florida, USA Age: 59 Posts: 1,496	Re: 5 Years Trade Union Railway Badge I'd be shocked if it were legit. Just an uninformed observation. __________________ "patina imparts character" - PJS A wise man said: 'you should not pay a premium for what you want beyond your comfort level, and always ensure there is a mutually agreeable return policy.'

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Laureate Prize Of Soviet Trade Unions Named Orlov, Petr Semenovich	d-riemer	Trade Unions	11	12-12-2014 09:05 AM
Trade Union Sports Activist	Chuck In Oregon	Trade Unions	0	04-24-2004 01:57 PM
Badge "17th Congress Of Trade Unions Of The U.S.S.R.".	Tal Inbar	Trade Unions	3	03-06-2004 01:12 PM
Championship Of The All-Union Council Of Professional Unions.	Tal Inbar	Sports	3	02-24-2004 03:19 PM