Hey P you mean that collector that lived by my parents house....he had the stuff!! I sold him that early Juncker paratrooper badge and you bought that great salty and REAL police officer tunic that had a REAL SS bullion breast badge !
Fine SS merch. and daggers to boot. I think he even smelled that badge I sold him.
Alot of the old timers that worked with jewelry would smell metals as all metals tend to emit an odor or characteristic. Most of the german medals were made using metals such as Silver, Nickel, Brass, Zinc, Aluminum, Sheet Metal,and Gold in some cases etc.
I've noticed that many of the repro badges of very good quality just don't emit these odors because they probably aren't using the original process or materials.
Now as for repros involving genuine silver .....I know some people who can make these that WILL trip the experts, that's why I tend to stay with blades.
