Authentic or Fake - EK 1 WWI

[wildkatz22]

I'm afraid to ask for opinions on this WWI EK1, but I feel I have to know.

The badge is perfectly square, but 43 mm x 43 mm. thickness of the iron plate is about 1mm. the who medals weights 14.1 gm. There is no curveture to the medal. Definietly 2 piece construction and the main plate is magnetic. No Marking as far as I can see.

Thank you

[roger9344]

I'm certainly no expert, but the detail looks good. I wouldn't be afraid to ask, everyone is here to help each of us through the minefield...

[rbminis]

Never be afraid to ask for help here.
I think it has a chance. As Roger says, the detail is good.
Ralph.

[wildkatz22]

Thanks guys, the reason I said i was afraid to ask was that I was worried about the answer I would get. I'm worried that it may be a fake. I spent $200 on this thing, just on the word of the seller and I really don't want to throw it out. But I really do want to know the authenticity.

Thanks

[roger9344]

Don't I know that feeling. If you post this in the Imperial forum you might get a more qualified response than I am able to provide. However, I do like the look of this one.

[Chopperman]

Sorry--I hate to be the bearer of bad news.
When I first saw this cross posted last night, I had a feeling that I
had seen one like it before. But I was not sure. So I sent of some
emails and posted it on another forum and my suspicions were
confirmed.

This cross is a fake --A Very good fake. The core details are as good
as or even better than some originals. The frame details gave it away
as one that was making the rounds a while ago. (but with a easily
spotted fake core) With the upgraded core and better hardware,
this is one scary fake. It will fool a lot of people.

Here are two more examples of this fake, one has a different core,
the other has the same core and really convincing hardware
(but fake none the less)

[Chopperman]

----

[oradour]

I initially missed this one, but on reading it I would of said it had a chance ! (although I was not 100% happy with the core detail) how wrong I would of been ! That's great information Greg...and a good eye ! just goes to show, there is still plenty to learn in this hobby ! although not good info for wildkatz, hope you can get your money back !
Prost ! Steve.

[Chopperman]

That last one had me fooled. I gave it a big on
another forum. Someone with a better eye than mine pointed
out the flaws. The bad thing is that who ever is making these
things is constantly improving it. With some age spots and
some rust, this thing will be haunting us for years to come.

I'm just really happy there are others out there with better
skills that I can count on for help.

[wildkatz22]

Greg,

I really apprecaite your help.

Before i bought this I compared it to many many EK 1s (i'm sure they were not all authentic either). This was before I found this forum. The problem with me is that I still can't seem to notice the smaller details of badges and no experience. Here is an authentic EK 1 posted on the forum. Please pardon my ignorance, but I honostly cannot see much of a difference.



The only differences I see are:
1. The authentic EK1 has paint in the area enclosed by the frame and fake EK 1 seems to have a very thin layers of something similar to an oxidization all over the badge
2. The authentic EK1 has a silver frame and fake EK 1 seems to have a very thin layers of something similar to an oxidization on the frame as well
3. The authentic EK1s have a silvery back while the fake EK 1 has a blackened back that seems to have an oxidization
4. The authentic EK 1 has the crown nicely placed while the crown of the fake EK1 seems to be biased to the left side and there is no space between the crown and the frame.