Buying an Eisernes Kreuz 1kl with award document

**Iron Hussar** · 03-18-2015, 12:46 AM

Hi all,

I'm taking a short trip this weekend to Milan, where I found a good militaria shop with some really nice items. These include a number of EK1's, with the award documents, and some photos of recipients.

I've researched what good EK1's sell for, and of course looked around the forum marketplace too. I also know that the value of the cross + award is whatever you are prepared to pay

For me, this is not an investment, it is a hobby, and wanting to hold onto a slice of history.

In that regard, and not wanting to be ripped off badly, are prices of 400-600 euro for a good quality EK1 with document reasonable (taking into account, it is from a dealer, so always more than a private sale)? I have not seen any come up for sale locally, and I trust eBay very little when it comes to item values, so I don't have too much of a reference.

I would appreciate your thoughts. I would love to have one in my collection (especially with documentation/history), but I can hold back if possibly I can get a better deal elsewhere/later.

Thanks everyone

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 03-18-2015 12:46 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Gwar** · 03-18-2015, 12:54 AM

Iron Hussar... Why not simply view the "Classifieds" on this very Forum ??? G

**Iron Hussar** · 03-18-2015, 12:56 AM

This was the one I was looking at, listed as 450 euro. It looks to be in good condition (albeit unboxed).

Buying an Eisernes Kreuz 1kl with award document

**Iron Hussar** · 03-18-2015, 12:59 AM

by Gwar

Iron Hussar... Why not simply view the "Classifieds" on this very Forum ??? G

Yep, did that already

I can see the prices of 200usd/euro+ for EK1's, however as I have not seen very many with documentation come up, that was reason for my question. Apologies if I missed anything obvious, but I couldn't see any with documents in there.

**Gwar** · 03-18-2015, 01:17 AM

That's quite alright... To each his own... You do know that with provenance there is a steeper price $$ wise as their more valuable...
Good luck on your quest... G

**Iron Hussar** · 03-18-2015, 01:42 AM

Absolutely - and also why I mentioned that the inherent value of the item is whatever you're willing to pay (if you're not looking at it from an investment point of view).

**big ned** · 03-18-2015, 02:13 AM

Price quoted seems about right for a dealer, but the chances of the cross and award certificate being together forever are down to unshakeable provenance, and that is hard come by. The probability this is a put together ensemble is highly likely, but so what? Does it really matter?

Regards, Ned.

**Gwar** · 03-18-2015, 02:22 AM

big ned.. You are correct... I frequently place cap insignia in front of photos that, although resemble the said likeness wearing the item, cannot be placed as "Provenance"... Good point.. And again... Good call... G

**Iron Hussar** · 03-18-2015, 02:25 AM

Cheers Ned - indeed, understand about the document and cross being a complete set is unlikely. That particular part of the equation does not bother me (although of course, to have a matching set is always a nice thing).

It is easy to get ripped off, particularly in this game, so I'm trying to have a few facts behind me. Being in the store and holding the item, it's easy to get over excited and make the purchase without reasoning