After years of talking about these badges, multiple threads and comments from many members and hours upon hours of research, the truth is rather simple. This thread has been pinned for easy reference.
There should be no doubt whatsoever, that every small Hitler Youth Membership badge (or any other small metal badge for that matter) marked Otto Hoffmann, is a post-war fake.
Collectors and dealers: Do not be misled by the fact that "top dealers" such as Thomas Wittmann and many others, regularly list these Otto Hoffmann badges as genuine. Do not be misled by the fact that "top dealers" such as Thomas Johnson and many others, regulaly list Hitler Youth Knives with strange colored Hitler Youth Diamonds inset into the handles. (Green, Blue etc...)
Seller Beware / Buyer Beware!
1. The first manufacturer responsible for making the new shaped Hitler Youth Membership Badge, was Ferdinand Hoffstätter. He was also the sole manufacturer* in the beginning.
*Multiple variants marked by other makers, marked only GES.GESCH. or unmarked are also known, proving that even before the introduction of the RZM marking systems, other makers were allowed to produce them as well.
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2. The only licensed RZM manufacturer ever found to date in period publications, period RZM rules and announcement papers called Otto Hoffmann, was a cloth producer.
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3. Otto Hoffmann`s B-License, for the production of cloth items, can be found on page 11 of the 1938 RZM Amt für zulassung / Abteilung Baumwolle. (Baumwolle = Cotton)
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4. Otto Hoffmann`s RZM License number B 18/1715, permitted him to produce cloth for Hitler Youth triangle patches, brown shirts as well as scarfs.
There should be no doubt whatsoever, that every small Hitler Youth Membership badge (or any other small metal badge for that matter) marked Otto Hoffmann, is a post-war fake.
Collectors and dealers: Do not be misled by the fact that "top dealers" such as Thomas Wittmann and many others, regularly list these Otto Hoffmann badges as genuine. Do not be misled by the fact that "top dealers" such as Thomas Johnson and many others, regulaly list Hitler Youth Knives with strange colored Hitler Youth Diamonds inset into the handles. (Green, Blue etc...)
You don't have permission to view attachments.
Seller Beware / Buyer Beware!
I think the wiki can work this way too in enabling us to centralise threads that deal with a particular subject. "Similar threads" does this job too but only shows four at a time.
