A Basic Guide by Military-Memorabilia

     If you are looking to purchase original German badges manufactured by Rudolf Soval of Viennia - be wary.  While Rudolf Soval was a prime manufacturer of many wartime badges under license during the Third Reich, including many service and award badges for the Army and Navy, the problem is that the company never quit making German war badges after the conclusion of the war.

     First making badges as souvineers for the occuping Allied forces, this company has gone on to continue to produce badges for the growing collectors market.  Unfortunately, as this company is making the badges using original dies and manufacturing methods, the modern badges are virtually indistinguishable from period original badges - from the front.

     The key to distinguishing period original from modern production Rudolf Soval badges is to examine the mint mark.  The period original badges will have a distinctly ANGULAR appearance, while the current mint marks will look like the letters produced by a typewriter.  While I am not an accomplished artist, the following illustration should make the point clear:

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