Imperial Eks

[Walkwolf]

I knew that you would know.......Thanks ! !
It looks like 'tombac' or brass. I wonder if it's a repro ?

I'll post it.........




Regards, Steve.

[oradour]

I knew that you would know.......Thanks ! !
It looks like 'tombac' or brass. I wonder if it's a repro ?




Regards, Steve.

Steve, post a photo of it......(might be better if you create a new thread)...we can all take a look.I have never seen a repro/fake one (thats not to say they dont exist)...but i wouldnt of thought it viable as the medal is neither rare or expensive.

[oradour]

Gents, i've been threatening to post these crosses, for some time , so here they are (ive finally found the time!)....one piece, non-magnetic EK II's, I have two in my collection. These are the type of crosses most stay away from, especially new collectors, as the general rule of the thumb, i.e. got to be three piece construction and have a magnetic core, is usually strictly adhered to, in early days of the hobby. But exist they do.....these crosses were usually not mm, they were made from non-ferrous metals, alloy or brass or a combination of both, hence non-magnetic, usually die stamped, they were then usually silver plated and the cores painted or chemically treated, (this finish was not as resiliant as on the three piece crosses, as both silver and black paint wore off quicker!), as far as I am aware no known makers are known. The first cross is alloy/brass based, painted core, and is of German manufacture as it follows the standard cross format, the second (my favourite) is of a brass construction, painted core, however, notice how the core has a rough almost sharkskin effect modelled into its surface, to emulate the cast iron look !...also notice how the details are made to look much smaller than a standard cross, the crown/oakleaf spray, a sign of IMO a foreign made cross, I believe in this case Austrian...note the die stamp fault on rear/top beneath suspension ring, this would not have passed German quality control !...these crosses are rarely discussed at length in reference books, both Williamson and Previtera give them no more than a passing mention, but in Vernon E Bowens book ' Prussian and German Iron Cross' a whole paragraph is given over to this type of cross, indeed there is a photo of the 'Austrian' cross shown there.

[leej11]

Those are really interesting! Im going to have to grab those books by the way. Like I said before. I got rid of some of my EKs but after you showed me this thread I snaped right back into them. Picked up a few more and have some more on the way. After I organize it all I will be sure to post. Quite a bit I have on medal bars, another area of interest to me. Are there any Imperial threads on medal bars so I can post mine? Lee

[DUJAILAH]

Hi Oradour, very interesting EKs You're very right about new collectors being wary of them. I've been collecting EKs for about 18 months now & recently saw one on ebay & kept well clear. Thanks for the info, I'll keep my eyes peeled now, Cheers, Richard.

[Chopperman]

Hi Guys,
Steve, you bring up a very interesting point. YES there are
some one piece EKs that are period originals.

I have several examples. Here are 3 of them.

[DUJAILAH]

Nice crosses Greg

[Chopperman]

The last one, which you say might be Austrian has had a bit
of discussion lately over on a different forum. In Previtera's
"Iron Time" first edition he shows an example of this one(pg168)
and says that they are tought to be French made as propoganda
pieces. The Crown being a French Napoleonic crown.

Many people do not believe that to be true. Some believe this one
to be a post war souvenier. No one knows for sure.

[Chopperman]

The middle cross of the 3 that I posted is a 1 piece die struct
piece made of Nuesilber. These arebelieved to be late war or
post war replacement pieces. The can be found in 1st class pin back
and screwback versions and as 2nd class. These have just
rescently been attributed to the maker "Otto Schickle".

Here is a composite showing a first class and 2nd class. They
look almost identical except for the dates. Notice the straight
"9" on the right and the bent "9" on the left. The 1st class on
the right is a Otto Schickle and the bent 9 2nd class (is thought to
be) from the same maker but no one is sure.

[Chopperman]

Nice crosses Greg

Thanks Rich.