Submarine Badge Alert: Swedish Fakes
Alert from Pär Flyghed:"[A seller on] ... e-bay is trying to push false Swedish submarine badges. I asume it would be ok if he said that they where replicas but the imposter claims that the badges are 100% authentic. I don´t know how it is in the States but in Europe that is a federal crime.
The badges are well done but with small remarks if you know what to look for. ...I haven´t seen any of the badges back side but one thing to look for is the mark of the manufacturor "Sporrong" at the back side. The authentic Swedish badges also have a very special back side. (Looks like fish scales)
One other thing that tells me that this person is a imposter is the price. No Swedish officer or crew member would let his treasure go for that price ($25) I can ensure you that. And the fact that all types of badges was for sale is another thing.
Please spread the word to all you know! I am pretty sure that this person will try to sell more of them."
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Molten Eagle notes P.F.'s warning is consistent with Prichard's Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World, 1997. (see SWD-2me, above). Just checked and there are four of these currently listed on Ebay. (The one acquired several years ago when building my own collection was authentic, I just checked, because I am not an expert, myself. Any Swede Navy types, comments welcomed).
The first submarine in Sweden's naval service was completed in 1904, when the HAJEN was launched. Sweden has operated 25 different classes of submarines since, designimg and building 80 percent of them. As we have read at UQNM, they offer their submarines for export and one has been conducting joint exercises with our Pacific Fleet.
As noted by CDR Steve Jones in his Worldwide Submarine Insignia, some of the badges are serialized on the back while some are not. The pin is issued six months after a new officer has successfully completed his qualificaton/education in submarines.
posted by Vigilis @ 9:36 PM
3 Comments:
Thanks for filling the gap, A11.
I totaly agree with Par and understand his frustration but......
for me as a collector as well as for other collectors it's the only option just to go to ebay and buy it. Even if the guy makes huge profit by selling them and I'm sure he is it still doesn't make any difference to me since he is the only source for swedish submarine badges available to everyone. Besides since swedish badges are so rare in order to get an oryginal version I'd have to offer something equal in value which I'm sure will be much more expensive than thes fakes from ebay.
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