The badge was fire gilded brass with metal borders, letters and highlights in the enamel center silvered. Today these badges are regarded by collectors as some of the most attractive and historic pieces of Third Reich memorabilia available. This has resulted in a recent surge of popularity driving the prices of these awards ever higher. This popularity means that new and more clever reproductions of these badges are hitting the collector's market. Determining real from fake can be clouded even further by the variety seen in genuine period badges.
Many collectors look at the back of the badge first to help determine authenticity.
The other is Joseph Fuess. Their names are always stamped on the plate holding the pin, never on the body of the badge. Many pin arrangements are observed on genuine badges. The original safety type pins were not that sturdy and many period examples are seen with pins that have been replaced by the original owner. The badge was a ticket to instant prominence in Nazi Germany and those entitled wore it at every opportunity.