It really amazes me why some particular 'vendors' try to swindle and defraud honest and in most cases inexperienced militaria collectors. One of the biggest frauds I have seen recently is the sale of 1957 legalised Nazi awards - especially the Steinhauer & Luck fakes. The originals came in the form of medals, badges, pins and military awards and were issued from 1957 til the late 1960's by the West German Government to those soldiers, sailors and airmen who had won the nazi version of these during WW2.

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This guide will give you an honest look at 'original' 1957 awards and not the 'new' or reproduced awards being touted on ebay by those with the sole prospect of defrauding you of your money!

The West German Government announced in 1957 that they would produce for wear by veterans 'denazified' medals, awards and badges of the nazi era (The West German Government had previously passed laws stating that no person, company or authority could display the nazi swastika, which just so happened to have been applied to nealry all WW2 German awards). The decision was mainly brought about by those veterans who were still in service in the Bundeswher (West German Army, Air Force, Navy etc.) These veterans argued that they should be allowed to wear their 'nazi' awards on their uniforms, as many had been won (Like the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross) for extreme bravery in battle. The argument won, the new designs were of the same shape and appearance as the nazi awards, but wth the removal of the swastika. For example, if you look below, you will see the iron cross 1st class (original 1957 version) and see that the central swastika has been replaced by a set of oakleaves. (if you google ww2 iron cross, you'll see the difference in the appearance of the WW2 version to the 1957 model).

 Also note the wear and tear on this piece. Just like your grandad who is well over 60 years old+, medals do tend to get scratched, bumped, knocked about, especially if they have genuinely been worn by a veteran. Remember, only veterans were able to purchase these, not the general public!

These awards were bought by the veteran from medal manufacturers, like Steinhauer & Luck (see fake dealer details below of this maker) and CE Junker of Berlin. They were made to resemble the originals in every way, however without the swastika. Today, they have become a collectable in their own right and many hundreds of dollars will be parted by the collector for say, an original iron cross 1st class 1957 issue. It is just a shame that the fraudsters would have you believe that their 'immaculate' and mint condition, 'original' (sorry, just fell onto the floor in fits of laughter) medals are the real thing. Unfortunately, just like most of their inventory for sale, it was made, probably a few weeks ago in a chinese sweatshop just outside of Shanghai!

Always look for signs of age and wear. If they have genuinely been worn by a veteran, wouldn't you expect them to show these signs? Veterans didn't buy them and simply put them in the cupboard hoping that one day they would sell them on ebay for example from say, Queensland!

Here are some more examples. Firstly, the Navy High Seas Fleet badge.

The German Cross in Silver - note the 4 rivet construction. Today's fakes show domed silver rivets, often associated with the modern Steinhauer & Luck fakes, which I have seen one ebayer seller sell for nearly 2 years for over $300 each! Let your wallet do the sums. Also note the obvious wear and age darkening, the modern fakes are heavily frosted and shine like a newly cleaned penny.

The tank battle badge with 50 tank battle award to base. Note the dull appearance, as was common with the originals. This one also (believe it or not!) shows wear from parade wear or use on the service uniform. The only association the modern day Steinhauer & Luck fakes have with tanks is that they were probably made from melted down chinese tanks!

Just have a look at another original 1957 badge, the Air Force reconnaisance badge. Note the obvious wear, not only on the rear pin, but also on the back of the badge. These are now 52 years old (2009 figures), I am absolutely amazed that people who sell these in 'mint' - 'fabulous' condition can put on a straight face when they sell these. The originals will show wear and age, the new ones, well.... will look brand new! Pretty simple when you think about it. I've also placed a picture of the 1957 Knights Cross, that is a fake. Note the shiny new appearance and new ribbon, which can be UV black light tested to show it is a fake.

The age of these badges begs the obvious question, how else can you tell the difference between original 1957 and fake 1957. If all the original 57 awards are now 52 years old themselves, ok, well lets say the WW2 Veteran who wore them, was born in say, 1910, joined the German Army in 1939 at age 29 and rejoined the West German Army and then bought an original 1957 award for wear..... He would be the ripe old age of 47. He would have to have retired in 1968, at the mandatory retirement age of 58. By 2009, this same soldier would be 99 years old! Well, that seems rather old for anyone to still be wearing the 1957 awards anywhere in the world, not even if Dr. Mengele himself changed profession and became a plastic surgeon in Bolivia to the surviving nazis would this be possible!

Stories of the Steinhauer & Luck fakes astound me. Many of my clients who have been swindled by the same seller, no matter what ebay account he seems to be selling these under that particular week, will tell you to keep your money in your pocket. Many have asked me whether or not the company letter of authenticity they receive with the faked 1957 award is real. I tell them, it's simple, why would a company hold onto massive amounts of badges, medal and awards for 52 years, just to, all of a sudden, decide to sell them through the one seller, worldwide? But no, the seller claims they also came from veterans living in Australia. Huh, I would cleverly suggest that as the same seller seems to sell the same 1957 Knights Cross with oakleaves (of which some 50 original 1957 were ever manufactured) week after week, the chances of all 57 recipients (plus the other 100 sold the year before) having lived in Australia, would mean that we would have to officially adopt German as our national language and add the title VON to all of our names!

I would therefore suggest, that any seller, reputation good or bad, who try's to tell you that his 1957 medals, awards etc are original and are in mint condition is not only lying to themselves, but more importantly, lying to YOU!

If you have any questions, or would like any other photo's of my own 'original' 1957 awards, just email me.

IF YOU LIKED WHAT YOU READ, HAD A LAUGH AND GOT SOME EDUCATION OUT OF IT, PLEASE VOTE YES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN FOR HELPFULNESS. I ALSO HAVE OTHER GUIDES ON FAKED MILITARIA AND COINS, SO PLEASE CHECK THEM OUT AT YOUR LEISURE. I A LSO WELCOME OTHER MILITARIA SELLERS TO LEARN FROM THESE GUIDES, HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL.