Winterschlact Im Osten (thickness)

**Glenn66** · 08-30-2011, 06:51 PM

by Adrian

I'm not sure where the seam is, can you point it out please Glenn?

This is what my tired old eyes are seeing (in red) the difference in the centering of the grenade/helmet is indicated (roughly) white.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 08-30-2011 06:51 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Adrian** · 08-30-2011, 08:06 PM

by Glenn66

This is what my tired old eyes are seeing (in red) the difference in the centering of the grenade/helmet is indicated (roughly) white.

Ahhh. I see what you mean Glenn. I took this to be the step between the rim and the ridge. Maybe Joshua can confirm?
I'll check mine when I get home next to see if the grenade/helmet is central or not.

**Woolgar** · 08-30-2011, 08:50 PM

Glenn has a point, I have just checked my example out and it is different. I think the Ostmedal at the top of the thread is a cast fake.

I have tried unsuccessfully to upload photos to compare. Will try later

Nick

**Aus der Traum** · 08-31-2011, 05:19 AM

by Adrian

Ahhh. I see what you mean Glenn. I took this to be the step between the rim and the ridge. Maybe Joshua can confirm?

Hi all,

I can confirm that the 'seam' that Glenn is referring to is indeed the step between the ridge and the rim and does not appear to be a casting seam.. There also appears to be no marks from having been filed down where a seam should be..

Here are some more closeups..

Is there anything else to look for? If I can get a general consensus as to its originality I think it might be easier to take it back.. It is from a local dealer..

Thank you all for the help

Joshua

**Adrian** · 08-31-2011, 05:24 AM

I'm still not seeing a problem.............

**Eric Zentner** · 08-31-2011, 05:40 AM

Looks ok to me also any makers mark on the ring?

Eric

**Aus der Traum** · 08-31-2011, 08:20 AM

Thanks guys,

Eric, there are no marks on the ring unfortunately!

One thing I have noticed, upon close inspection is what appears to be a small seam running along a 1.5cm strip along the bottom of the medal.. To me it could possibly be a stamping flaw or an improper strike, as it is only on the bottom of the piece in one small area and there are no grind marks /filing marks anywhere else on the medal and certainly no traces of this seam anywhere else on the edge of the medal.. Any ideas on what this could be?

If this is indeed a cast fake it has to be one of the better ones I have seen of this medal in particular!

-Joshua

**Wagriff** · 08-31-2011, 08:31 AM

Maybe it's just my eyes, but I don't particularly care for the suspension loop on the original post medal. The inside of the loop looks to have a rough almost cast edging to it. But, like I said, it might be just my eyes... William

**Militiaman** · 08-31-2011, 08:37 AM

Joshua,

Out of curiosity, is the diameter of the medal over 35mm?

Rob.

**Glenn66** · 08-31-2011, 08:57 AM

This is a closeup of my un-mounted #51 and I think i'll be changing my opinion of Joshua's piece. Mine also has the Helmet/Grenade slightly off center and also a whisker of a seam running around the outer edge. Also given that over 3 million of these were awarded and mint examples can be had for 40 euro, there isn't a huge incentive to fake these in my opinion. (not to say it doesn't happen of course). Incidentally the ribbon on Joshua's example looks original to me so to think a faker would add an original ribbon to a fake medal seems pretty unlikely I reckon.