Hi Guys, as this question comes up very often, I thought it would be useful to place a pinned thread on the subject.
The key to determining an original from fake, like so many other German items, is the reverse.
Here is the edge detail of an original. Note the pattern of the weave and how it forms a series of small almost even sized white "dots" right near the edge of the cuff title? This is only seen on originals. Fakes have a series of dots and longer, taller, dashes which are very uneven in size which appear to look like this:
.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I
Hope this helps?
Cheers, Ade.
Hi Guys, as this question comes up very often, I thought it would be useful to place a pinned thread on the subject?
The key to determining an original from a fake, like so many other German items, is the reverse.
Here is the edge detail of an original. Note the pattern of the weave and how it forms a series of small almost even sized white "dots" right near the edge of the cuff title? This is only seen on originals.
The chequered black and white weave which forms the back of the title is known to collectors as "salt and pepper" weave.
Can anyone point me towards a reference site specifically to Soviet badges?
Can anyone point me towards a reference site specifically to Soviet badges?
Guy's, Found this stationery inside the cigarette card album. Thought you'd like to have a look. Hal
Guy’s, Found this stationery inside the cigarette card album. Thought you’d like to have a look. Hal
Guy's, Found this stationery inside the cigarette card album. Thought you'd like to have a look. Hal
I recovered these (aircraft engine) cowl flaps a few years ago. I believe they're from a C47 Dakota, my reasoning being they used the airfield the most during the war period. I have also included for for comparison a few pictures taken last year of the aircraft in the Airborne Museum St Mere Eglise Normandy.
1) The three different engine cowl flaps, notice that two have cut outs to enable fitting to specific positions around the mounted engine, also note that the top one has what appears to be battle damage perhaps caused by shrapnel (perhaps the reason why it was discarded to the dump).
2) Slightly different angle to show more detail.
3) The best two, external painted surfaces.
4) One still retains the remains of the printed label, marked [B]ASSEMBLY [B]followed by a number (sadly not all readable)??16872 3?.
5) This is the external surface of the cowl flap showing the explosion/shrapnel? damage. Note it also retains some of it's original paint.
6) The internal surface showing the damage. The damage marked A was caused by something hitting it probably shrapnel on the other (external) side a glancing blow causing a dent and split. The damage marked B is actually caused by a small piece of shrapnel that passed straight through, but strangely from the internal side. This may have been caused when the cowl was open due to hot engine and the explosion perhaps flak occurred behind the aircraft blowing shrapnel forward through this cowl. Interesting to have a piece with damage to both internal and external sides.
7) The same flap showing the external side, the damage marked A and B is the same as previous.
8) Close up of the best preserved pull point. Notice the impressed number.
LUCKYSTRIKE
I recovered these (aircraft engine) cowl flaps a few years ago. I believe they're from a C47 Dakota, my reasoning being they used the airfield the most during the war period. I have also included for for comparison a few pictures taken last year of the aircraft in the Airborne Museum St Mere Eglise Normandy.
1) The three different engine cowl flaps, notice that two have cut outs to enable fitting to specific positions around the mounted engine, also note that the top one has what appears to be battle damage perhaps caused by shrapnel (perhaps the reason why it was discarded to the dump).
2) Slightly different angle to show more detail.
3) The best two, external painted surfaces.
4) One still retains the remains of the printed label, marked [B]ASSEMBLY [B]followed by a number (sadly not all readable)??16872 3?.
5) This is the external surface of the cowl flap showing the explosion/shrapnel? damage. Note it also retains some of it's original paint.
6) The internal surface showing the damage. The damage marked A was caused by something hitting it probably shrapnel on the other (external) side a glancing blow causing a dent and split. The damage marked B is actually caused by a small piece of shrapnel that passed straight through, but strangely from the internal side. This may have been caused when the cowl was open due to hot engine and the explosion perhaps flak occurred behind the aircraft blowing shrapnel forward through this cowl. Interesting to have a piece with damage to both internal and external sides.
7) The same flap showing the external side, the damage marked A and B is the same as previous.
8) Close up of the best preserved pull point. Notice the impressed number.
LUCKYSTRIKE
Can anyone help to identify this bullet. It is 75 mm in length.
Kind regards, Malcolm.
