Hi Pete, i would say, due to those markings it would make it definitely NOT a piece from a sub-contractor. M1/31 did change to the standard (or semi-standard) post April 1935 way of prefixing and marking their small badges, right before they had their M1/ license taken away from them. Very difficult to say when this badge dates from, could be late 1933, but it could also be shortly after the M1/ prefixing system was mandatory, or at least first mentioned, which is April 1935 and not a day earlier (or later) as many "reference" books would have you believe. I tend to place these transitional marked badges into one group period, namely from late 1933 through to around the middle of 1935. This form of marking(s) on the M1/31 (as well as just RZM 31) is specific to one maker only, namley M1/31. If we had observed the same form of writing on other badges from the same period, or been able to make any connection between badges with multiple makers numbers/marks on them making use of the identicle obverse die, then you can be sure that the makers who`s number is on the badge, didnt actually make it, with M1/31, i am 100% sure that they made them.Nice HJ Diomand.Hey Jo with those markings will it make it a piece from a sub contractor.
best regards Pete
And before you ask, i have no idea why they lost their M1/ license, the RZMMtbl. only state the date that the license was withdrawn, but dont state the reason.
Nice badge, but it is a mix of fake and genuine on that site when it comes to small badges, beware, i just had a butchers, and Paul still has quite a few fake badges listed as genuine! :-(