Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes EK2 varijant

[JeZoCoH]

I found this one in local flea market...

I looks authentic to me, opinions please

[n0valyfe]

Not keen on the ring at all

[KRISSE]

I think it's just an EK2.

[Danny70]

Yes, it is just an EK2, as JeZoCoH pointed out, but converted for use as an RK replacement....
but as to when it was converted is anyones guess. The ribbon looks very clean and fresh though.

Personally, I would not pay any extra for it in this condition, but there is plenty of photographic evidence that this kind of 'field conversion' was practiced. It is finding an example with solid provenance is the problem.

Regards - Danny

[JeZoCoH]

Like Danny70 said i bought it like EK2, it was replacmnet for RK untill real RK arrives.

[oradour]

I like it ! I have one, and it is even on a length of second class ribbon ! as yours appears to be......it is hardly mentioned anywhere, as it always attracts derision, so I quietly keep in my medal cabinet....these crosses are well documented, but as mentioned, no one really knows when they were done, but as I collect all EK's it is a variant among that collection...as for value, dealers want the earth for them, how ever badly done ! privately I would say no more than a top notch second class.....here is mine on a friends Waffen SS tunic, taken some years ago.
Prost ! Steve.

[oradour]

Another view.....
Prost ! Steve.

[Walkwolf]

Steve, I like your example and agree with your cost estimate.
I can also see spurious dealers trying to get even more
$$$ by selling them as RK's.........

[jimpy]

Knowing very little about the EKI, II and RK, other than them being German military awards, I feel distinctly "naked" and in "No Mans Land" on this subject, having said that, what I will say is that I have read that it was a fairly common practice to "field make up" a RK with neck ribbon from the less expensive EKII medal and retain the RK "for best" and to minimise the risk of loss through whatever means.
I appreciate that, without conclusive direct provinence etc it is nigh impossible to prove this is what this particular medal in #1 is, and to be honest, I wouldn't even want to hazard a guess, let alone give a definitive yes or no, but, not meaning to sound flippant, it "looks nice", whether it is 100% genuine, is a whole different ball game though.

Regards etc

Ian D

AKA: Jimpy

[Adrian]

It is just an EK2 which has been damaged at the end of the day. Unless you have direct provenance that it came from an RK winner and was modified by him you should buy it for what it is.
As Danny says, the ribbon is very new looking and I bet it has been added recently.

I like the look of Steve's cross and I hope he will take some better pics of it to share?