Help needed on Eisernes Kreuz 1st Klasse.

**MrFaulkner** · 11-23-2010, 05:38 PM

Thanks, Steven

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 11-23-2010 05:38 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Woolgar** · 11-23-2010, 07:01 PM

I believe this to be a Floch fake as L/21 didnt make screwbacks.

Nick

**Snni** · 11-23-2010, 07:02 PM

I agree with Nick. A floch, just look at the date..

**Glenn66** · 11-23-2010, 08:22 PM

For my knowledge, whats wrong with the date?

Glenn

**Snni** · 11-23-2010, 09:06 PM

by Glenn66

For my knowledge, whats wrong with the date?

Glenn

The 3 are very easy to recognize on the Floch's.
The date are low on the core also.
Here are a close up of a Floch date.

**Snni** · 11-23-2010, 09:09 PM

More Floch dates..

**Adrian** · 11-24-2010, 02:15 AM

Yes, a definite Floch reproduction. Try a search for 'Floch', this company is well known for reproducing Third Reich awards. Many collectors are fooled by them, no shame in that but when you know what to look for they stand out immediately. The dates are the biggest clue, very unique and unlike any original.

**Glenn66** · 11-24-2010, 09:21 AM

by Snni

The 3 are very easy to recognize on the Floch's.
The date are low on the core also.
Here are a close up of a Floch date.

OK, sorry for coming across as a bit thick here but i'm having trouble identifying these 'easy to spot' differences. I've found the same image of the Floch example in the Floch article over at Wehrmacht Awards.com and i've compared it to dates on supposedly genuine EKs and I can't see much jumping out at me shouting "i'm fake!"

If we concentrate on the '3' is it the ball at the end of the number that gives it away? I think on the Floch examples that the ball looks a little 'tacked on' compared to a genuine 3 on which the ball seems to curl back a little more as well as 'flowing' better with the rest of the number.

Ideally a reference with circles and arrows with real and fake side by side is what us new collectors need

**Adrian** · 11-24-2010, 10:20 AM

by Glenn66

Ideally a reference with circles and arrows with real and fake side by side is what us new collectors need

Glenn, you're really not coming across as a bit thick. The questions you ask are good ones and will help everyone to learn.
It's a bit difficult to get a decent reference with crosses, circles et al as you suggest because the variation on numerals is vast, not only between makers but also from the same maker. K&Q have at least twelve different shaped '3's on the obverse date on their crosses!
Basically it comes down to remembering and recognizing the shape of the '3' on Floch crosses. They are very unique and unlike any '3' found on the obverse of a genuine TR EK.
The 'balls' (if you excuse the terminology) are also very different from maker to maker (no double entendre intended)!

**MrFaulkner** · 11-26-2010, 05:51 PM

this iteam came from a long time collecter..i was really suprised..we traded it to a biker.. told him it was fake i hope..uall are right..u also some time back killed a hat we had...we sold.it here for 3000..so differnt opinons...