Eisernes Kreuz 2 Klasse (maker "O") - with mini stick pin

[Chopperman]

Thanks Marc

That's an interesting point you raise. We could do a quick calculation of how many EKII's were produced... when would have the last 1914 EKII been awarded, approximately?

I should know this and I am pretty sure Miro can tell you the exact date.
For some reason 1927 comes to mind.

[rbminis]

This one was purchased as being marked with an "O".
I believe it is not the same core, what is the consensus?
Ralph.

[Iron Hussar]

Cores are definitely different. Crown shape for one, and on the reverse, the position of the leaves in relation to the frame.

[Miro]

I should know this and I am pretty sure Miro can tell you the exact date.
For some reason 1927 comes to mind.

EK2s 1914 were awarded until 1924. Totally more than 5 million pieces, making it the most common type of EKs all eras. They were produced by more than 200 jewelers from small ones to big companies. Exact figures are unknown, as Prussian archives were destroyed during ww2.

[Miro]

This one was purchased as being marked with an "O".
I believe it is not the same core, what is the consensus?
Ralph.

The consensus is that this is different - but still generic - core. Personally, I like this core, mostly seen with makers Fr, FR, WS, We and R.
But I am afraid I don´t see anything resembling "O" at that ring. Maybe it resembles some letter with loop (like B, P, R) but surely not O. In my opinion, of course.

Miro

[Iron Hussar]

Let's do some hugely rough math. The dates are not accurate, and the numbers approximate.

Assuming;
1914 EKII's awarded = 5,000,000
Time period (1914-1924) = 3625 (assuming start of WWI and finish in mid-1924)

That's a rate of 1379 EKII's produced every day of this period - that were actually awarded, so not including how many more were produced and not handed out.

If we further assume a maker count of 200, that's almost 7 EKII's per day per maker. Assuming further, a 9 hour workday, that's an EKII every 77 minutes (or thereabouts). For 10 years.

All numbers for fun of course Initially I'm sure the EKII production was slower, but once they started being awarded en masse, it would have ramped up.