It does seem to make sense though, when it was first announced, it contains the words Alte Garde, then nothing more is heard, and when it is mentioned again, the words are dropped.
From the reverse image alone, the following observations must be noted:
The way in which the badge is marked, is exactly how Hoffstätter were marking their very early HJ membership badges. Not similar, 100% identical. (link to first attempts by hoffstätter
here, unquestionably authentic)
When fakes try and copy a MM, or come out in grand, early "variations" there are usually dead give away signs, like there are on the fake HJ Gold badges that show only the Logo for Hoffstätter. (The same logo that the UK faker Morigi has used for a long time, and still continues to) Link to one of these fakes
here.
Now, let`s just forget the obverse, forget the enamel, the appearance and the words Alte Garde, and discuss the makers marks.
How is it, that the writing is identical?
A good forger?
[*=1]We can rule this out, as it is just not what we find on fakes, a minute logo, with as many letters in it as this has, cannot, imo, be faked to look exactly the same. I realize that the badge is small, and only an image from a mag, but i have spent long enough chasing after these details on other badges to know that it is identical without needing to hold it, or examine it under a microscope. All the little die flaws and letter flaws found on the original Hoffstätter membership badges are found on this one too, except that on the Alte Garde badge there is a huge die-break flaw across the reverse.
[*=1]The original reverse used for the membership badges was found after the war, and used to make this alte garde one
[*=1] We can rule this out as well, because of the size, there were clearly 2 individual dies used for both.
The only way you could explain this, would be to suggest that the original stencil, galvano or whatever Hoffstätter used to reduce their name onto items, was found, and used to reduce the exact same logo onto this, fake, or fantasy badge. A practice that i dont believe has ever happened at all, with any item. At least not one that i have ever observed.
The only conclusion that i can draw from the makers name on the reverse, is that there is no question that it was done using the identical tooling, and master stencil, galvano, die or whatever Hoffstätter used for the other, original badges.
I personally dont see how this can be anything other than 100% legitimate.
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