Eichenlaub mit Schwertern und Brillanten.

**leej11** · 08-10-2010, 05:34 PM

A freind brought me this and wanted to know my opinion. I said you know only 27 of these were awarded right? He said yeah but insisted on finding out for sure so I told him I would post it here for your opinions. Please tell me why it is real or fake in your opinion so I have something worth while to report. Thanx a bunch guys. Lee

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 08-10-2010 05:34 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**tampalam** · 08-10-2010, 05:36 PM

I wish I could see more detail of the stamping on the rear of the sword near the pin. I seem to see 935? Cannot read the other mark. Anyway, it is a fine piece of jewelry if not period and authentic to a RK.

**leej11** · 08-10-2010, 05:46 PM

It is K 935

**tampalam** · 08-10-2010, 05:49 PM

You may have a winner. I will wait for the experts though. Good luck with that piece. If it is not real, it is a very well made item and appears to be solid gold although I cannot tell from only a photograph. The diamonds seem to be correctly placed and the workmanship is superb from a jeweler's point of view. You may want to have a jewelr with diamond and gold tester look at it also. If it is all good, it would be a very expensive fake at worst.

**Bob Hritz** · 08-10-2010, 05:51 PM

This is not an original Otto Klein made WWII Oak Leaves, Swords, and Brilliants to the Knight's Cross.

Bob Hritz

**tampalam** · 08-10-2010, 05:57 PM

Bob, was Otto Klein the sole maker of these? Would you rate this as a post-war repro?

**John Brandon** · 08-10-2010, 05:59 PM

by leej11

It is K 935

"K" is for Klein of Hanau It should be a small letter “k” within a circle followed by the silver content number being “935”.

The originals of this award should be made up of 4 pieces held in place by 3 pins and be of silver. There should be 58 diamonds claw mounted by hand.
This would have been a high piece of workmanship, truly outstanding.

however, Oberst Hans-Ulrich Rudel was the only recipient of the Oak Leaves with Swords and Diamonds in Gold.

Personally I don't think the one you show has those traits

**Bob Hritz** · 08-10-2010, 06:15 PM

Yes, Klein of Hannau was the sole maker of the 2nd pattern Brilliants.

The illustrated piece lacks the detail, the three-dimentionality, and other traits of the original. I had owned one, in the past, and they are works of art, which is lacking in this example.

Bob Hritz

**leej11** · 08-10-2010, 06:30 PM

Thanks John. Those are some points I was looking for. I knew that they were made in Hanau which is about 15 min from me but didnt know that the K needed to be a k. I dont know if its a 4 peice looks more like a 2 or 3 and the diamond placement doesnt seem to have that quality. I really didnt inspect it that thoughrally because we were at a flömarkt and I was kinda like yeah right.

**tampalam** · 08-10-2010, 09:52 PM

Too bad it is as expected, not real. How much were they asking fo this? Maybe if it is cheap enough it would make a nice display piece for a uniform or reenactor.