1870 ek

[Chopperman]

The cross posted by Terry is an easy one to spot. The crown is way to small.
That's why this style has been known for years as the "small crown fake"
Another easy tell is the really bad paint that always has blisters in it.

This one has been around a long time and fooled a lot of people until they started
turning up with the same crown, frames and paint but as 1813s and 1914s as well
as 1870s. --- The faker got greedy.

Here are some pictures of "small crown fakes". All copied from dealer sites or off
of ebay.----

[Chopperman]

Next up for discussion is the cross posted by bigmacglenn. I really hate to be
the bearer of bad news but that one is bad as well---SORRY.

That one is a 1870 variation of the "Latvian fake". So named because these
are modern creations initially being offered by a dealer in Latvia in 2003.

The first thing to look for on these is the style of the crown. This crown
is very close to the crown used by Deumer on their 1920's-30's 1914 crosses.
(and also the same as the "closed 4" 1914 fakes" Once you've spotted
the overly large crown then you look at the inner corners. When they
first appeared, these had very well defined and symmetrical inner corners.
The dealers and fakers have taken to beating up the corners a bit to camouflage
their appearance. Also, a lot of these crosses have a very even dark gray artificial
patina that is worn off at the otter corners to give the appearance of age and wear.

This style cross has been seen with 1813, 1870, 1914, 1939 dates on it and with
different variations makers marks and in either pinback or screwback.

- - Updated - -

With 1870s, always, always look at the crowns and the date.
Those are the finger print to go by.

[bigmacglenn]

Are these fakes solid pieces or three-piece construction? My EKII is three-piece construction, magnetic core and silver frame...

[Chopperman]

They are 3 piece.

[bigmacglenn]

Don't want to get into a misunderstanding, but the ones you're referring to(and the ones shown above) are all one-piece fakes. I see them on Ebay all the time...I assure you that this is a legitimate cross...don't wish to sound flip, but I'm sure I've got a handle on this one; Thank you for your input, lol...

[Chopperman]

Latvian Fake

- - Updated - -

[Chopperman]

more--

[Tango]

Thanks guys for all the input !!! My laptop has died so im using my works 1!!!, That is all very interesting info!!!...So how often do theses (real) crosses come on the market?? roughly!!! Cheers Terry.

[Chopperman]

Original 1870s are not too hard to find. Weitz usually has one or two on his
site for sale at any given time. The Latvian style fake can be found on ebay
just about any time you would like.

[Tango]

Cheers Greg I will put that on my wish list along with the other Million items!!! Cheers Terry.