After a year, and with no intention to start a badge collection, I finally finished my KM badges. I started out haphazardly by buying a minesweeper for a few bucks off a collector in Germany. The minesweeper quickly led to a coastal, which led to a HSF, to a sub...and so on. All I had to do was add an E-boat to wrap her up. I'd like a sub clasp, but I really consider that a luxury, as opposed to a neccessity for completing a KM badge group. It's been a difficult and challenging road becuase I was very cost minded and conservative with my spending. I wanted, like all of us do, the best peice for the best price. Through a variety of connections and networkings, i've been able to put this thing together for considerably less than it would cost based on the going market....but by all means, this wasn't inexpensive.

I've attached a photo of my current badges, as well as the E-boat which is essentially on it's way. During the last year, I had bought 2 pieces which were questionable. A destroyer that you guys may remember, which never received a definitive answer on, and a blockade badge that was most likely a repro. The seller took back the blockade badge, and I sold the destroyer to a collector who is 100% convinced the badge was good...just an obscure piece. I'm the type of guy who can't have a questionable item in his collection.....things like that will drive me crazy and i'd never be able to look at the collection. I'd hate it.

Anyway, everything worked out and I appreciate all the help from forum members both here and on WAF. Some of the bigger name badge guys, who wrote the books, were willing to communicate with my via PM or email when asked for opinions on pieces I was considering. I've learned alot about badges, but still lack the experience or expertise to pick out a good repro in a group of real badges.

I had hoped to move onto finishing my Heer badge collection then starting a Luft badge collection. Frankly, I don't have the money nor the energy or patience for that. So as it stands, i'm sort of closing the book on badges. Perhaps i'll add a piece here and there, however I don't intend to invest the energy which I did into the KM collection.

Thanks again Paul, Joe and everyone else who helped me along the way.

A few images of the E-Boat from the seller whom I know and bought this from. The price was right, and I was looking for a 2nd type...so it fit the bill nicely.

The e-boat is by RS. I thoroughly checked this one out to be sure it was good. Received confirmation from some very respectable collectors/moderators confirming this one was good. Even with the large library of images of good and bad examples saved on my harddrive, at best all I could do was compar images. It still left me unsure if it was good or not. Fortunately, my peers have been kind enough to provide insight and experience and guide me in the right direction in the area of badges.

The photos are not the best. I'll post an update when I receive the badge and photograph it myself.

2

Last one.

I had to sell some items to finance the purchase of the e-boat. I hate selling my stuff. I know i'll eventually have to, but parting with my items is difficult. Just about ever item in my collection I bought with consideration. Even though a bdge may have been initially a haphazard purchase, i really did want it. When it comes time to part with something, it bothers me. Perhaps that's why I have so much junk around the bunker...and the house for that matter.

Well it is textbook but you already knew that
A long road but well travelled and you are better for it , Now on to the next challenge my friend what will it be ?????

Thanks Paul. I tell ya' my man, it was a task putting it together. I guess it's when we become focused on a particular area, that it seems more labor intensive. I guess it's all relative. I do have to say though, I really like the KM badges alot. That 1st badge started the addiction.

The finished product. This 2nd type Schnell boat came at a good deal from a fellow collector in the Bay Area.

I'm done! Unless I add a sub-clasp. But I am inlcined to say "NO" with the prices on the clasps these day.

On the wall for display.

If anyone needs any frames like this let me know as I have a few, brand new in wrapper. I'll sell them at cost if interested.

Tom

The RS 2nd type schnell.

Nice display and interesting to read how collection/collecting goes. Seems a lot of us has the same opinions, problems and attitudes.
Now you need the 1st type e-boat to put where the cloth eagle is placed .
I remember clearly, when exactly these (doubtless period!) e-boat badges by R.S. here were sold and available in series for about 15 USD ..... where are these times gone...
Regards,

The frame certainly is outstanding . I just bought the uboat clasp on warbooty sight good terms I can afford so that closes my KM set

PAUL

I might start setting aside a few $$ toward a sub clasp. That being said, it's not one of the pieces that will nag at me until I get one. Paul, i'd love to see her when she arrives. Hope you'll share her with the group. I sold my Heer GAB that was in really, really nice shape. Unmarked example. Had to sell to sort of offset the investment on the e-boat. At least I doubled my money on it.

Thanks guys and good collecting.

there is a nice uboat clasp on wh estand right now right as rain for only 850,00 just on. You might be able to swing a time deal with him take a look.

PAUL

Paul, are you referring to the example (in Bronze) at WAF thats being sold for US $712.00?

Tom

DOn'T THINK SO THERE IS ONE BEING sold with a PAB for around 850

paul

Oh. Paul could you send me a PM. I'm not sure what site the acronym WH stands for.

Wotan, I guess there was some speculation a number of years ago that the 2nd type RS pieces were fakes? Like you said, clearly these are now accepted period examples.

Thanks,

Tom

Souval did a lot of well known fakes. Therefore nearly al he did produce sometimes came into suspect in the world. These certain ones -here- were always accepted/known as period ones as were the other products by this firm with this certain mm.
Regards.

Great stuff Sword-Fish, I also would like to complete a set of Kriegsmarine badges. I have three so far: High See Fleet, Minesweeper and Destroyer. Still a long way to go.

Wotan,
Thanks for the 411. Much appreciated. Good to know.

Staphane, sounds like a great start. Keep it up. Before you know it, you'll have one of each.

Old Rudy was crankin' 'em out for occupation forces after war to earn his way. I know PABs were highly suspect because of this, but were there issues with KM pieces?