EK 2 ribbon ring, question

**NickM** · 08-21-2013, 02:13 PM

Just curious. I've just re-polished my EK2, as I like mine looking as it would have been the day it was issued. My query is, does anyone know what the ribbon holder ring would have been made of? I'm guessing it's not silver like the frames.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 08-21-2013 02:13 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Adrian** · 08-21-2013, 02:22 PM

Re-polished?

(Raised eyebrow)............!

**NickM** · 08-21-2013, 02:32 PM

Yes, my EK2 is as clean as the day it was issued. I know I'm not the only one with a pristine EK. The thought of leaving someone's treasured item to accrue years of neglect (aka tarnish) on it, seems sacriligeous to me.

**LeonardoL** · 08-21-2013, 02:33 PM

Why dont you buy a mint piece then rather then polishing?

**NickM** · 08-21-2013, 02:35 PM

by DTVPKING

Why dont you buy a mint piece then rather then polishing?

A mint one wasn't available at the time I was looking to buy.

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Also, how do you know a "mint one" isn't just one that's been polished?

**SailorTzipi** · 08-21-2013, 02:42 PM

Seems sacrilegious to remove the years of history that's on it... Sure shiny is nice but have a old and 'used' look gives it more history and character. IMHO

**LeonardoL** · 08-21-2013, 02:45 PM

by NickM

A mint one wasn't available at the time I was looking to buy.

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Also, how do you know a "mint one" isn't just one that's been polished?

Well, you can see the difference between finish or frosting and polishing.

**NickM** · 08-21-2013, 02:46 PM

That's the word I was looking for. Years of "history" is still years of tarnish or, if it was on anything other than a medal, we'd call it neglect. I don't know why I feel I have to justify keeping someone's hard-won item in the condition no doubt they would have liked it to be kept in.

**Adrian** · 08-21-2013, 02:47 PM

If you look around, non tarnished pieces are available and if you can't find one when looking to buy then wait until one is found.

To remove the tarnish and history is sacrilegious to most collectors. The value goes down as does the desirability. I can understand removing the surface dirt and dust but to re-polish is not the thing to do. A re-polished cross is easy to spot over a mint piece.

I have mint EKs but don't polish them to achieve that, I buy them in the condition I want them in.