Is this forum dead these days? / General Gau badge

[William Kramer]

Hello all,

I visit and nothing exciting is going on these days.

I just picked this one up.

William Kramer

[Erich S]

First of all, a nice been there General Gau badge and second, yes this forum seems to be dead.

[nickzark]

R.I.P. ?

[Xavier]

summer vacations?
get outside and enjoy the outdoors!!
Xavier
Der Autodidakt

[John G.]

I think the forum is alive and well.....but this forum is more the intellectual/information on "Axis History" site....as the name implies....the actual "artifact" section is not as widely used...except by mainly newer collectors or for general questions, as say "the Wehr. Awards" forum which is more the "artifact Identification/is it real/and let me show off" site.....
I think all serious collector/historians should be members of "many" differant forums...and use them as best seen fit.

All have thier strengths and weaknesses...but all are wonderful tools for the researcher, historian, and collector.....
I will always do my best to help, give honest opinions based on what I have learned in over 50 years of serious collecting...but will be the first to admit I don't know everything. That's what this forum, and the others, are all about. (Or at least should be...)

Of course, when someone submits a horribly fake item he or she has spent their hard earned money on....and is told it's bogas....the owner will often blame the messanger (in this case the forum)....plus once the "newness" wears off, members seem less eager to contribute or have asked or shown everything that had questions about....it's just human nature....things slow down.

I think of how for the first 40+ years of collecting I had to learn things the hard way.....of how much an asset like this forum would have been to me then, and how much money I would have saved (or spent, as the case might have been)...and how I am in "instant" touch with fellow collectors/historians from literally around the world.....amazing!!!!

Anyway....the forum is only as good as it's contributing members....so everyone should make the effort to contribute, to share thier knowledge, and be tolerant & understanding....
Just my thoughts...
John G.

PS. Yes, a very nice Gau Badge....

[William Kramer]

Hello all,

Is there any research on the enamel version vs. the painted, which one is earlier and why is there a difference from the same maker?

William Kramer

[oRion]

hi all,
very nice William!and no this forum isn't dead
Anthony/

[scruffy]

I love seeing the new crop of fakes coming out ----
it is like fall fashions --- what will next years fake look like ?
stay informed ,
if you snooze ,...you loose

[William Kramer]

I love seeing the new crop of fakes coming out ----
it is like fall fashions --- what will next years fake look like ?
stay informed ,
if you snooze ,...you loose

Are you saying the Gau badge posted at the start of this thread is a reproduction?

William Kramer

[rlimike]

William, You have nothing to worry about with this badge ... it is a nice original .

Mike

[William Kramer]

William, You have nothing to worry about with this badge ... it is a nice original .

Mike

Don't I know it!

William Kramer

[vogelbird]

Beautiful Gau badge. This is how I like my pieces to look; not pristine, but could tell a tale or two if they could speak. I agree with John G. The site is what users make it, and as he says, it is a great asset to collectors, as years ago when I first started collecting, you were lucky to get anything but general outline information on any of these collectables.

[matthew4108]

Hello all,

Is there any research on the enamel version vs. the painted, which one is earlier and why is there a difference from the same maker?

William Kramer

The painted versions were the first to be awarded. As to why there's a difference from the same maker- probably the same reason why they decided to switch from paint to enamel on Sudetenland badge- it simply looked better and lasted longer.
Original painted finish was very delicate & prone to flaking off. As a result many painted pieces were repainted. Like the one above.

[FreemanOrrin1942]

Being a new member I love using this forum for all my questions and I find the people on here very helpful and I don't feel like it is dead either. Nice looking badge too.

Calloway