I spent a while trying to learn about badges and it is mind boggeling how much bad stuff there is out there. This one should be good, I hope. Assman zinc L64.

Looks OK so far, but I think it's been treated with some kind of varnish or clear coating (WD40?)

Please post a photo of the reverse, and a close up of the markings...

Here is an known original Assmann for comparison.

Hi Chris, here are 2 of back, one showing mark and one showing hinge, pin and catch.All the photos are quite shiny cause of the flash.

Hinge, pin and catch.

Others may disagree with me, but now having seen the back, I personally wouldn't own that badge. I don't think the construction of the badge as seen on the reverse is consistent with known originals. The rivets, catch, hinge and finish of the reverse of the wreath look wrong to me. Or maybe the photography is just really, really bad. Me, I would send that one back.

Photos of example from major collection of badge found in original cardboard box.
no 1 obverse

image 2

photo 3

Not very good pics but this is a good Assmann with "1" wreath IMHO.

Some believe the number indicates the die used.

These were made in late 1944 for LDO (private purchase) by govt decree and is documented.

Bob

I hope this will help but the only ASSMANN marked Para badges I've seen that I've liked are similar to those shown on this site:

http://lbmilitaria.homestead.com/luft2.html

I did find your badge here:

http://www.snyderstreasures.com/images/germanmilitaria/...tParaAssmannL64R.jpg

along with a number of other badges that I'd be interested in hearing reaction to, such as:

http://www.snyderstreasures.com/images/germanmilitaria/...myParatrooperFOA.jpg

I pretty sure I know what the "feeling/reaction" will be to this last badge and the same may apply to the former. ~ Ian

Hi Bush, This is the site I am using. Note there are 2 zinc variations pictured "1" and "2"
These have been discussed on WA forum also.

Para Collection

I know Gator, I thought there was something about the stand I recognized and when I went to take a look I also noticed this Army Para in Zinc:

http://www.majorplm.com/collections/Coll-G-Medals%20&%2...-majorplm-jan05.html

is very similar to this Army Para in Aluminum:

http://www.snyderstreasures.com/images/germanmilitaria/...myParatrooperROA.jpg

but the price???? I don't know but I'd really be interested in know what you and others think . . . . less than $1 000.00 for an "authentic" Army Para badge??? ~ Ian

Here's a late one to compare to from the Medals/Badges forum:

http://daggers.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/800097573/m/2060050164

*

Not sure about that army para, but the story on these L/64 marked Assmann's as I understand (from research)..

An order was made (somewhere in the German government in mid-late 1944) that decreed these awards be made available for private purchase on Jan 1st 1945.

This document exists somehere.

Prior the order, para badges were only available at military installations, usually through a senior or commanding officer.

Assmann made badges up to this time were only stamped with the trademark A. I am not exactly sure when the numbers (1 and 2) started showing up but these examples are considered original pre-May 1945 badges by most collectors.

An article was published sometime in the last 5 years by a collector who tried to disparage the L/64 but the authors hypothesis was seemingly discredited by a majority of experienced collectors on several points I cannot remember or was not privy to.

I am also basically paraphrasing here from other discussions of this badge on WAF and MCF of which I took some part and photos of a "2" wreath L/64.

Frank H on WAF is very knowledgable about these as are other notables such as Eric and PK.

It is accepted that Assmann started marking the para badges L/64 (Their LDO number) to fill orders on Jan 1st 1945. The LDO was something like a how a company must get a reseller ID for tax purposes.

Prior to this order they certainly would not have used their LDO.

Bob

Maker marks..

L/64

I am really surprised to get this info because I just discussed this with a badge authority from europe. His take was that any marks were removed on the sale of post war stuff with Nazi symbols because they were banned and Nazi para badges were legal to sell at PXs?. He also claimed to have had in his possesion at one time, an L/64 Badge with a traceable provenance which was pre 1945.

Part of the problem is that the photos we're seeing of the badge in question are so crappy and so pixelated it's hard to really see anything. They look like the resolution on the camera is set at about 20 DPI. Try taking some at around 1200 DPI and posting them for a better look.

I think I have gad just about enough of this F ing forum. Other people tried to tell be about it but I didn't listen. Good Bye MF's Kiss off.

Hmmm.

I am a little baffled here.

Despite the poor photos, I have stated I beleive the badge that started this thread is a GOOD, ORIGINAL, PRE-MAY-1945 badge and so do allot of advanced collectors.

What is the problem here Gator?

Bob

Timeline:

Govt Decree ordering para badges be made available for private purchase: Mid-1944

Effective: Jan 1st 1945

VE Day (end of war): May 8 1945

These L/64's are late-war, zinc badges made BEFORE May 8 1945.

Bob

If everbody wants goddam hi res photos, then don't limit the size of the image file. Thanks Bob, I wasn't responding to you personally. I am struggling here with a 10 megapixel camera, trying to shrink the gd images down to a tiny file. It's not worth the trouble.I don't usually get ****ed this quickly without being able to take a couple of swings at somebody.

Learn to crop, size and compress your images.

Virtually all photo programs make this process easy.

Cameras produce hi-res images. They must be processed before posting on ANY forum.

Within seconds I can process my hi-res camera
images into 640x480 @ 60kb files.

There is no magic and should not be difficult to learn.

Crop

Size

Compress

Bob

OK the first 3 photos of the badge w/ green background have been replaced. I used a utility called Picasa to make them and also my Advanced Jpeg compressor. My corel and my Nikon software were responsible for the poor resolution. In addition I re took all 3 photos in natural light which seemed to get rid of that black shiny look.