Hungarian Paratrooper Badge

[Basic Rifleman]

I just got this badge, and while it's cast, and not like the examples on the eMedals site that have a two-piece design (applied skull and daggers) it actually has a good details/feel to it, and considering where it was sourced I dug a little deeper before discarding it as a fake. I found a strikingly similar specimen housed in the Ptritzker Military Museum and Library and I just wanted to post this here to gain additional thoughts and feedback. Thanks for any and all opinions.

 

 https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/museum/digital-collection/view/oclc/974917085

 

 

 

 

[Tonomachi]

Per the reference that I have collected over the years this does not match known examples.  There are three variations of this wing that I am aware of and all three use a specific type of rear fixing which does not match this pinback assembly.  Unless there is a fourth variation that I'm not aware of this is in my opinion a copy.

[Basic Rifleman]

Thanks for the response. I'm not surprised, but was a bit hopeful being I saw a dead ringer for it housed in a reputable museum. I see now the photos I posted are a bit dark. I was trying to show the details in the mounting and construction of the standard British style pin assembly. You're right, though, there does not seem to be another example with this type of construction. I should also mention this piece is OLD... Not just weathered, but legitimately old. I'm going to hold onto it. Maybe some day another will surface either with some story/provenance or a known reproduction pattern/style. I wonder if it's possible any of these were "theater made" for those that were lost or damaged; just a thought....

[Tonomachi]

Although it is hard to tell due to the poor photograph but I believe the Hungarian paratrooper wing that the museum has is one of the fakes (see photos) that has been coming out of Hungary over the years.  The pin back assembly on your piece sort of looks like one on a China Burma India Theater made WW2 US Glider Pilot Wing (see photos) that I have in my collection which is also cast.   However as you know the Hungarian paratroopers of WW2 were never in the CBI Theater.  One of the good things going for your piece however is that I have never come across this variant so far either real or fake.  

 

 

[Basic Rifleman]

On 4/22/2023 at 2:04 PM, Tonomachi said:

One of the good things going for your piece however is that I have never come across this variant so far either real or fake. 

I'll take it... Much better than it being a known fake. It's a cool piece, is well made, and now has a home. Thanks again for taking the time to further educate me on these Hungarian badges