Fake KGB and "Egg" Badges

[Nota Bene]

Tal,

This last badge is quite an unusual variation, I've never seen one before. Looks genuine. The enamel and the gold plating appear to be replaced.

Alexei

[Chris]

Hi Alexei

Yes I understand about the sickle. There are several variants. I believe I have struck lucky and have a series of very old early issue badges.

The sword is different as well.

As I say theu compare very well with my other badges.

The Criminal Investigation badge is great, it looks and feels fantastic.

I cannnot believe the fakers would bother with this bdage as its ..

a.. to unknown

b. has not got the magical KGB etc which fools easily identify with.... just like putting a swaztica on tiolet paper ,will get sold easily.

I feel you play the paterna card to hard. I attach a scan with a Army XX as a balance.

Best regards Chris

Please stay critical

regards Chris

Best regards chris:D

[Nota Bene]

Chris,

Point well taken about the patina, scans can be misleading. What I am looking for is sudden changes of color, and your badges appear to have black spots on otherwise clean silver.

High-end fantasy pieces are the worst, because it is so tempting to believe that you have found something noone had ever noticed before.

The bottom line is that you, as the owner of the badges, are in a better position to judge, so if you think they are OK, they must be.

Still skeptical :),

Alexei

[Chris]

Hi Alexei

Yes it is easy to get taken in by a so called great find.

The badges have clean spots and patches and for that reason I actually cleaned them a bit my self to test them (the V and XV).

I noticed it left the same impression, as it was quite hard to remove the paterna, some came off easier than others as the hand does not apply equal pressure.

I am convinced that the paterna is not chemicaly applied.

It is a pity that they were cleaned in the first place but I believe they where that dirty that the seller trys to make them more attractive which make sense in the estetical point of view but not for the collector.

Yes it is up to the individual to decide if he is happy with them and when the call is close scans can be deceptive.

However I think we should still continue to play the devils advocate with each other when we have pieces that are of interest and may be dodgy/good.

I am happy with these pieces and I thank you for your learned imput.

I have one or two other pieces that will provide a few more threads ....but for the future...:D

regards chris

[Nota Bene]

Another eBay special. This is just a "fantasy" piece:

[Tal Inbar]

A first to me (the version of the fake - flatback):

[Nota Bene]

Tal,

Interesting. I think the front is also very ugly and lacks detail.

Alexei

[otlichnik]

Well, I finally registered for this site. Greetings Nota Bene old friend. I have not heard from you in ages. I am a little out of touch here in Bosnia these days - I also have other interests (medieval arms and armour) but I still keep collecting Soviet stuff if slowly.

I am glad you guys like my otlichnik.tripod.com website. Lots of people have contributed to it including Nota Bene. I am just sorry I have done so little updating recently.

First I must say that I am not a badge expert. Uniforms and IDs are my main area. The best guy I know for the high end state security badges in Robert (Panda) Pandis who has a CD ROM with articles and very high res scans available.

Nevertheless, I agree fully with Nota Bene's posts. Unfortunately, those V and XV badges of Chris's really worry me too.

While it is great to compare them with good high res shots of genuine badges - or better in person, there are two universal rules that I use. 1) Does it appear to have proper age. Unfortunately, the ability to detect this is really only learned with time and handling lots of badges. 2) Quality. With the exception of some Republic KGB badges and KGB enlisted badges (like duty officer or times on duty) I have never seen any state security badge that was not absolute top quality. Cheap material and casting/strike flaws are always cause for concern.

Shawn

[Chris]

Hi Shawn

That’s why I'm happy with my badges V and XV......top quality and good materials..No casting

Here is another

I would actually love some body else out there, to post their V and XV, as surely there must be amongst so many members to compare them with



Cheers Chris

[Nota Bene]

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