Badge "Excellent Pontooneer".

[Kim]

What do you think about this one? Good or bad? I think it's good but have become rather paranoid about the "Excellent.." badges.

Thanks!

/Kim

[Nota Bene]

Kim,

The trouble with them is that that are often not perfect. Normally I am paranoid about fakes, but thanks to a detailed scan oft he back I am enclined to believe that this one is OK.

Alexei

[otlichnik]

Most genuine WWII otlichnik badges I have seen do not/not have perfect enamel. It was done in wartime and has small bubbles and often knicks or chips out of it. You can sometimes see lots of dirt in the bubbles and knicks. Red was especially susceptible to chips as were any translucent enamel (vis opaque enamel which tended to bubble more than chip).

Shawn

[Kim]

Thanks for these replies, now the vote is 50/50.;)

Alexei and Shawn: I think the fact that they are pretty crude make them an easy job if you want to fake them. I mean compared to mint order/medal.

The first ones I got was in 1994 in St Petersburg. They were pontoneer, submarine and sniper. I didn't know what I got but couldn't find any medal at the time. Of course they were all fakes, the flat kind with almost brown reverse.

/Kim

[Nota Bene]

Kim,

You are right, and a tremendous multitude of variations doesn't make it easier to tell a fake.

How about a good old screwpost tip test? Does it have any wear, that you would call genuine?

Alexei

[Kim]

The tip of the screwpost is smooth, like it has been worn. So that's another thing in favor. Thanks Alexei!

I will keep it and think of it as the real thing. But perhaps I can replace it in the future with a better one..:D

/Kim

[Alfred]

Hi,

what do you think about this excellent pontoonier?
post war?

regards and thanks
Andreas

[dannybou]

Looks like a type 2. Not sure if they were made after GPW but this could be a 1943 issue.

[Alfred]

Hello,

what do you think about this Pontooner badge?

thanks and regards
Andreas