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Some shots of my 30 wound badges.30 maker is Hauptmünzamt from Wien. First is a gold zincer

Yes I agree Fritz, they also underestimated the British Prime Minister.

A clear case of where Argentina overestimated it's own grandeur, and underestimated it's oponent, sheer ignorance on the part of the Argentine military. They should have known not to challenge a traditional and unsurpassed old seapower with a long experience of land and maritime warfare. The initial capture of the islands was easy but they should have known in the end that it would not pay off. The sinking of the "Eduardo Belgrano" by an English U-Boot. Smile please Gaucho

Probably less well known is:

Names on the picture: Trompeter Schumacher, Trompeter Rochow, Uffz. Würfel, Uffz. Lehninger, Uffz. Rochow, Uffz. Römer, Trompeter Blancke, Trompeter Lampe, Trompeter v. Kirski, Sergt. Otto, Uffz. Gähde, Uffz. Schestecat, Vc.Wachtm. Köhling, Wachttm. Wache, Vc. Wachtm. Krüger, Uffz. Briesemeister, Sergt. Mette, Uffz. Lemck, Lt. Walter v. Löbecke, Oberlt. v. Bernewitz, Major v. Ribbeck, Lt. Graf v. Hahn, Oberlt. V. Reinersdorf, S.Durchlaucht der Prinz v. Schönaich Carolath, Gefr. Witt, Gefr. Müller, Rittm. Frh. v. Stolzingen, Gefr. Sterckmann, Gefr. Geisel, Gefr. Schulz, Wiegand, Gefr. Fieck, Zunk, Lt. v. Etzel, Oberlt. v. Dresky, Major v. Wroche-Gelhorn, Oberst v. Mitzlaff, Oberst v. Sigsfeld, Breitkreuz, Lage, Lemke, Berg, Gefr. Mertins, Gefr. Golz, Fischer, Gefr. Staudemeyer, Gefr. Holz, Gefr. Leue, Gefr. Spiekermann, Becker. Riemann, Gefr. Wagner, Reimshüssel, Gefr. Fleischer, Sergt. Becke

Recently offered by an elderly gentleman living near Hannover, he has a whole collection of photos and postcards from the estate of a former Hofdame of the Imperial Court .This picture was one of these and in a frame with broken glass, which had been stored in a cellar up till now. Frame was removed for posting. It shows the reservists of 1904 of the 3. Eskadron of 2. Garde-Dragoner-Regiment Kaiserin Alexandra von Russland. All the names of the reservists and the officers depicted are shown, as well as two higher ranking officers, Oberst v. Sigsfeld and Oberst v. Mitzlaff, one of whom could be the Commander of the Regiment, worth further research (who was Commander in 1904? I don't have the lists for that year). The gentleman from Hannover thought it was Russian! I got this for 20 Euros plus postage, which was reasonable considering the size of the picture. Took over a week to arrive with the slow-post from Hannover.

Looks like an excellent film.

A historic aviation piece was recently offered at a renowned auction house in Gloucestershire, Britain. It was one of the tailfins of the Messerschmitt Bf 110 flown by highest scoring night fighter, Major Heinz Schnaufer. This was recently shown on the Franco-German TV channel ARTE under Treasures of the World or similar title. Interviewed was a lady, whose father was shot down by Schnaufer in early 1943. She would like to have purchased the object, but this was out of her financial reach, but she was able to get photos of this significant object. The tailfin has been definitely attributed to the machine of Heinz Schnauffer, listed on the fin are all the victories with plane type and date! This was taken from a wreck postwar, and was brought to the auction by a collector from Germany, who was unable to sell this in Germany due to the strict laws regarding the swastika, it was claimed. Schnaufer, with 121 victories and the Knights Cross with Oakleaves, Swords and diamonds, was the highest scoring nightfighter of the war. Schnaufer, who survived the war, died on July 15, 1950 following a road accident while on a wine-buying trip in Bordeaux. A further article on this can be viewed under: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/german-ww2-pilots-bullet-ridden-plane-5342833 A further text viewed under Find a grave.com does not quite coincide with the previous information: German Ace Fighter Pilot. Holder of the 21st (of 27 awarded) Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds. A scourge during the air battles over occupied Europe, during 164 night missions, he downed a confirmed total of 121 bombers, mostly British. He became a prize target for British gunners and aircraft known to them as "The Night Ghost". He was captured by advancing British forces in Schleswig-Holstein in May 1945. His plane was displayed in London's Hyde Park after the war. The tail with 121 victory markings can still be seen today in the Imperial War Museum. He was released by the British in 1945 and returned to Germany where he operated a wine store. Five years after his release from captivity, death, which eluded him miraculously during years of uninterrupted combat claimed him at last. Just 28 years of age, while on business in Southern France, a car accident near Bordeaux took his life. His remains were taken back to his hometown and buried in the family plot in Calw, Germany. This one is on display at the Imperial War Museum, London Schnaufer second from left, standing next to Hartmann

A unique and cherished souvenir of long gone times. A Christmas card, as an invitation to a Christmas Celebration on 13th December 1910 at the Picadilly Hotel, which at the same time includes the evening program and menu from the Deutscher Offizier Club in London for it's members. A quality production with fine gold-blocked edge. Never seen a similar example. Discovered in the 1980s in a Hamburg antique shop specialising in coins, stamps and fine antiques.

I could compare this to my own driving licence! See same

gents a couple of vienna unmarked no30 early tombak

Yes I saw it...Picture a bit dark.Looks good.Not sure of maker.Learning the makers of unmarked blacks was never my cup of tea.I dont keep massive files don

Yes there does seem to be allot of them, come to think of it I think I've had a few 30's with gold pins too, did you see the black wounds badge I posted in the Silver W/B "4" thread Don?

Another silver with a gold pin I found on a site

yes it could be either way, hard to say for sure

Yes zinc badges will abzorb the finish..Some will turn almost black.zinc 30s are not a great badge to hold their finish.Like I stated I have seen other silvers from this maker with gold pins. I still say they used what they had at this time frame.This talk is nothing new. Anyways. don

Yes it's a difficult one to call ,as you say there seems to be no trace of gold, however zinc badges sometimes absorb the gilt finish this is often encountered on Kriegsmarine badges, as the pin is made from a different material that is maybe why it has not discoloured. The others seen with a gold pin perhaps the same thing has happened to them. My gut feeling is it's a gold, which in my opinion is better anyway but who knows as you say they did use what was available I have a numbered Panzer badge with a split pin instead of a rivet, it's one of these things you really need a time machine to know for sure. I got in a Black wounds badge on Saturday I'll try to post it on the Forum on Tuesday if I get a spare moment.

Great collection Don! Interesting point. The Germans often had to use whatever was to hand at all times in the war but particularly near the end.

Thats what some collectors think...If a gold pin must be a gold badge.This was a late war badge and at that time I think they used what ever they had.I cant see any gold on the badge .I am sure it is a silver.I have seen other silvers from this maker with a gold pin.So if you used up all the silver pins? don

Lovely collection Don, is the badge with the gold pin not a Gold Wounds Badge?

Jesus Don! That's a fine selection of "30"'s you have there,congrats Stewy.

Group shots Group shots

Review First the tombak in bar then the flatpin then the needle.Then came the zincers As far as I know.This silver has a gold pin

Now for the needle.

Next up is a silver tombak flat pin.I have no bar pin

Next up is black marked 30.A bit rare and I have only found in brass