OGPU badge - too good to be true?

[deValcourt]

I found this one through a link here on the forum from "Blackbird." My problem with it is that it seems to be in perfect condition - no cracks in the enamel or other age-related aberrations ones expects to find on pieces supposedly this old.

Any thoughts?

Phillip

[EricFG]

I dunno, Philski. One would expect a lot of detail from a badge of that era (20s?) and this doesn't have it. Seems to ba a thin, stamped...thing. And that white "enamel"?
If real something like this should be about 4 figures, no?

[deValcourt]

Eric, the seller is asking just under $3000. If you go to the "Quick Links" and select "Today's Posts" you will see it in the Blackbird listings.

The white enamel used during the alleged time frame this was supposed to be made has almost always darkened slightly and has at least hairline cracks running through it. Whatever the maker of of this badge used looks like some sort of epoxy and it way too thick, in my opinion.

It would be a nice piece to attach to an old uniform, but not for more than $100.:rolleyes:

Phillip

[desantnik]

Fake.

[deValcourt]

Fake.

I'm sure it is a copy, but I understood from Marc some time ago that decent copies of early security service badges were available in the RF for about $100 - which is still a little high. The only way I'll be able to afford any of the originals is to hit the lottery (and find someone with a fantastic collection who is willing to sell:rolleyes:). My point is reasonably priced badges from early organizations like the (O)GPU are only likely to get into my collection as copies, but not when some insidious, greedy knuckleheads like this seller are around.

As I've said before, I don't have a problem with quality copies to use as "stand-ins" in a display or mounted on a uniform displayed in your house, but people have to be straight with each other and sell them at their actual value. Unfortunately, this appears to be the exception to the rule rather than the norm.:mad:

Phillip

[Lapa]

Phil,

The norm these days is that if you have something that could pass as the real thing, even if you know that it is not the real enchilada, you give it a try (or two, three... ). Sad, but true :mad:

Marc

[deValcourt]

Phil,

The norm these days is that if you have something that could pass as the real thing, even if you know that it is not the real enchilada, you give it a try (or two, three... ). Sad, but true :mad:

Marc

If there were only some way to prosecute or at the very least be allowed to warn the public - but we know that won't happen and "buyer beware" shall remain in place. I've said this before, but the one positive note I can think of is that if someone were foolish enough to spend that kind of cash on a fake, he/she probably was not planning on flipping it and will probably live out his/her days not knowing any better. However, if there are heirs, especially greedy ones, they will be sorely disappointed.:chuckle

Phillip

[EricFG]

If there were only some way to prosecute or at the very least be allowed to warn the public - but we know that won't happen and "buyer beware" shall remain in place.... Phillip

So true. Greedy and unscrupulous sellers do certainly deserve a good boot the skull. I mean greed is considered a deadly sin for good reason, no?

But by the same token Joe No0b needs to do a little homework before flinging his cash about wantonly. Would you buy a washing machine or a new car or a home for that matter without doing a little research first? And if you didn't, and ended up getting screwed would you have anyone to blame but yourself?

That's what's so nice about the internet; if you have a question about anything you can throw it out there and somebody with experience in that area will help you out. Free of charge no less! Yet another reason why this site rocks!; dudes like Art and Alexei, Marc and Paul, Phil and the rest; they're just decent folk who want to help their fellow human beings. No service charges, no runarounds, no headgames; just informed opinions, helpfulness and real concern for collectors. :thumbsup

[Lapa]

...But by the same token Joe No0b needs to do a little homework before flinging his cash about wantonly. Would you buy a washing machine or a new car or a home for that matter without doing a little research first? And if you didn't, and ended up getting screwed would you have anyone to blame but yourself?...

Eric,

I don't agree with you here. When it comes to OMDs, fake ones - especially contemporary ones - are made to deceive and be passed as the real thing. Look at the quality level of the ORBs produced in the Baltic States these days. Beside the mintmark and the hand writing, these are basically 1:1 with the originals; and the fakers are working to improve the few details that give them away :mad:

Marc

[deValcourt]

I also agree with what you say regarding the quality. Eventually, one of us may be eventually wishing for the days when the counterfeits used to be so obvious.

If you ever have the least doubt post it on the forum as soon as you can. We may all learn from just such exercises.

Phillip