World War 1 German Army Commemorative Badge For Airshipmen (Zeppelin)
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:131316 |
Up for auction is a World War 1 German Army Commemorative Badge for Airshipmen (Erinnerungabzeichen für Heeres-Luftschiffe), otherwise referred to as a Zeppelin badge.
From Carsten Baldes "Aircrew Badges and Honor Prizes of the Flying Troops from 1913 to 1920":"During the war, a badge for the aircrew members of Airships was being worked on, but the end of the war resulted in this plan being cancelled. This was then taken up again after the war in the Weimar Republic and... then was simply renamed and instituted as the "Commemorative Badge for Airshipmen" in the summer of 1920...The surviving Airship crew had to apply for the Badge themselves, from the Inspectorate of Artillery in the Defense Ministry. After consideration of the individual's time with the operational front line Airships a Besitzzeugnis [award certificate] would be issued to the applicant or the request rejected should this have been insufficient."Then the recipient would order a badge privately.
This particular badge is a beautiful Zeppelin Commemorative badge. It measures 38.8 mm high and 64.2 mm wide. It is solid construction and weighs 21 grams. The strike is very sharp. It is made of silvered metal (looks like brass or bronze). The maker mark is "GLASER & SOHN, DRESDEN". It is in very fine condition with just slight signs of tarnish on the obverse. The reverse shows slight tarnish and wear. (Note, I've had this badge in my climate-controlled collection for over 25 years. It has never been polished in that time.)
Comparing to other examples in the books, the dimensions of the badge are within the range but the construction is more delicate and hence it is on the lighter side at 21 grams. To my eye, the pin mechanism and the hook are of a higher quality than examples in the books.
Overall, a beautiful Zeppelin badge. Because these badges were all privately purchased and have been reproduced, I cannot honestly date this badge. Because the quality is so high and the maker mark is a relatively uncommon mark, I think it is most likely that this badge dates from the period around WW2 before Dresden was destroyed by Allied bombs.
As I said above, I've owned this badge for well over 25 years. I offer a full refund if the buyer believes that I have misrepresented it in any way. NO RESERVE AUCTION...lets have some fun!
From Carsten Baldes "Aircrew Badges and Honor Prizes of the Flying Troops from 1913 to 1920":"During the war, a badge for the aircrew members of Airships was being worked on, but the end of the war resulted in this plan being cancelled. This was then taken up again after the war in the Weimar Republic and... then was simply renamed and instituted as the "Commemorative Badge for Airshipmen" in the summer of 1920...The surviving Airship crew had to apply for the Badge themselves, from the Inspectorate of Artillery in the Defense Ministry. After consideration of the individual's time with the operational front line Airships a Besitzzeugnis [award certificate] would be issued to the applicant or the request rejected should this have been insufficient."Then the recipient would order a badge privately.
This particular badge is a beautiful Zeppelin Commemorative badge. It measures 38.8 mm high and 64.2 mm wide. It is solid construction and weighs 21 grams. The strike is very sharp. It is made of silvered metal (looks like brass or bronze). The maker mark is "GLASER & SOHN, DRESDEN". It is in very fine condition with just slight signs of tarnish on the obverse. The reverse shows slight tarnish and wear. (Note, I've had this badge in my climate-controlled collection for over 25 years. It has never been polished in that time.)
Comparing to other examples in the books, the dimensions of the badge are within the range but the construction is more delicate and hence it is on the lighter side at 21 grams. To my eye, the pin mechanism and the hook are of a higher quality than examples in the books.
Overall, a beautiful Zeppelin badge. Because these badges were all privately purchased and have been reproduced, I cannot honestly date this badge. Because the quality is so high and the maker mark is a relatively uncommon mark, I think it is most likely that this badge dates from the period around WW2 before Dresden was destroyed by Allied bombs.
As I said above, I've owned this badge for well over 25 years. I offer a full refund if the buyer believes that I have misrepresented it in any way. NO RESERVE AUCTION...lets have some fun!
