Das Kolonialabzeichen The Colonial Badge Elephant’s Order WWI German (original?)

Das Kolonialabzeichen (The Colonial Badge) also referred to as the Elephantenorden (Elephant’s Order), designed by Karl Möbius. was donated by the Reich Ministry for Reconstruction on April 18, 1922 and was awarded against application to colonial Germans and foreigners who had rendered services to the former German colonies during the First World War . After the ministry was dissolved in 1924, the award was awarded by the Foreign Office until December 31, 1935 and by the Reich Chancellor from 1936 to 1945 , but only in isolated cases.
The obverse a palm tree and an elephant. The lower part of the badge is covered with oak leaves and around the upper rim are the place names “SÜDSEE * AFRIKA * KIAUTSCHOU” referring to the larger areas where German colonies were situated. The pin backed reverse has the text “GES. GESCHÜTZT NR. 33992” (Legally protected Nr. 33992). The award was worn as a pin badge next to the Iron Cross 1st Class on the left side of the chest.  This Order was a semi-official award and although it was often worn on post-war army (“Reichsheer”) uniforms it was not listed in their rank lists. It was however curiously listed in the rank lists of the navy (“Reichsmarine”) of the period. This decoration was instituted in October 1921 and was to be purchased by the recipient. By 21 November 1936 some 8,000 were issued and it is believed that a few later awards took place.

We recently purchased an entire collection that had some unusual pieces.  We think this badge is an original as it features an original coffin end pin on the back with the round circle plate.  We are selling it at a much lower price as we cannot confirm its originality.  We did cast a mold from this piece and will hopefully be preproducing copies soon.