Imperial Eks

[don_kihotis7]

Excellent EKs you have there Chopperman.
Can you tell me more info about this one?

[Chopperman]

HI,
This one is not technically an Iron Cross but is still grouped into the Ek family and is one of
the most beautiful crosses made and a true statement to the jewellers art of the 1870s.
My pictures don't begin to do this cross justice.

The Merit Cross for Women and Young Women (maiden's cross) was designed by
Queen Augusta to recognize the efforts of those woman who played an important
part in caring for the sick and wounded of the war of 1870. There we a total
of 2992 awarded. England's Queen Victoria and Clara Barten of the American
Red Cross were a couple of the notable awardees.

The cross is a bit smaller than the normal Ek. It's about 35mm, like a Prinzen cross
and is inlaid with polished black enamel instead of just painted like a typical Ek.
(Like I said, my pictures don't really do it justice)

Hope this helps a bit------
Greg

[Chopperman]

The A W the stylized initials of Augusta and Wilhelm.

The other side of the cross shows the symbol for the Red Cross.

[don_kihotis7]

Man it's one of the most beautiful awards i have ever seen. And if 2992 pieces were issued it means that is super ultra scarce.

[AntonEbans]

Hello Gentlemen,

Thought I'd post my latest EKII addition to the collection. I've never owned a MM KO and thought it was time to get one.

Anton

[Chopperman]

Good one ! Every Ek collection should have a KO marked cross as they are believed to
be the awarded crosses.

[don_kihotis7]

Good one ! Every Ek collection should have a KO marked cross as they are believed to
be the awarded crosses.

Chopper what do you mean the awarded crosses? All the other makers were making private purchase crosses to the recipients?

[Chopperman]

Not quite.

With almost four million 2nd class crosses being awarded, it would be impossible for one maker
to supply them all. It's safe to assume that many makers crosses were awarded pieces however
I have read that it is thought that all "KO" crosses were awarded.

So if you want to have a true veteran cross in your collection, a "KO" is the one to get.

[Walkwolf]

Would that mean that the 'KO' marked crosses for 'Offical' or 'Government' issue
were made by several/many different companies, or do you suppose that
crosses were awarded regardless of markings.............?

This was my understanding too, that the 'KO' type were 'issue' pieces.

[Chopperman]

I don't know. I do know that KO crosses can be found with two or three different core
types. Does that mean two or three different makers---not really as several different
makers were known to share core styles. I believe this was done because not every
company assembling crosses had the capabilities of casting their own iron cores. So companies bought cores from different suppliers.

Back to the question at hand, (I am just guessing here) I think that all KO marked
crosses were official award crosses. I also think that as demand for the crosses
increased, that other crosses both unmarked and possibly other marked
crosses were given out as "awarded" crosses.

I have no way to confirm any of this but it seems to make sense.