How to distinguish ribbons?

[Montag]

Hello my friends,

I have a question about Ost-front medal ribbon.

I'd like to know how to distinguish genuine articles from fake ones!



[method]
1. UV-TEST - Trust is low these days.
2. ?
3. ?
.
.
.
etc..


Please, let me know. I need a sure method.

[BrodieBartfast]

The weave of the ribbon is one of the better ways of telling real from fake. Period ribbons have scalloped edges, whereas modern reproductions are straight-edged.

I'll post a picture to demonstrate this as soon as I can find it. Standby...

Regards, B.B.

[thecyclist64]

Firstly, if it glows under UV light, then this is as aresult of synthetic fibres being present in the ribbon, the type of which wern't invented until after the war.

Secondly, here is a useful guide to help you:

Ribbon authenticity guide

[thecyclist64]

Just to add one thing. Authentic ribbons which have been washed in modern soapowder which contain optical brighteners can also make it glow under UV light. I made this mistake by washing a KVK2 ribbon that looked a bit grubby

[Saladin]

I think it has been explained quite fully.
BB mentions the edges which is quite correct and the cyclist gives a great link.

It should be mentioned that the modern machines that make the ribbons are different to the ones used in the past.

The machine that produces the 'scalloped edge' is a shuttle loom where the weft is attached to a shuttle and goes through the warp producing that distinctive edge.

The new machines use an overlocker stitch. One side will have a scalloped edge and the other will be overlocked giving the appearance of a flatter edge.

Cheers
Doug

[BrodieBartfast]

Found it!



Regards, B.B.

[24th Panzer Division]

Firstly, if it glows under UV light, then this is as aresult of synthetic fibres being present in the ribbon, the type of which wern't invented until after the war.

Secondly, here is a useful guide to help you:

Ribbon authenticity guide

Also, it could only mean (if one was washed for some reason?) that someone used modern detergent.

[24th Panzer Division]

Hello my friends,

I have a question about Ost-front medal ribbon.

I'd like to know how to distinguish genuine articles from fake ones!



[method]
1. UV-TEST - Trust is low these days.
2. ?
3. ?
.
.
.
etc..


Please, let me know. I need a sure method.

Best method i have ever found was just rubbing the ribbon together. If its smooth? and you will know what I mean when you try it with known original ribbon-then you will get a feel for it. If rough (sandpaper like?)-repo or later replaced ribbon.