Imperial EK 1 real or fake?

[Austin94]

Thoughts on this EK1? Maker mark KO or KU it obviously has been repaired

[Walkwolf]

No - looks like a very bad casting - plus incorrect
pin, hook and attachments.........

[Austin94]

Ya I thought so to

[Chopperman]

Very crudely made fake.

[Pavel]

Well, I actually believe this could be an original example of KO, although very hard beaten.
The core details seem alright: the crown, "W", and date are similar to one of the KO's variants. I tried to compare it with this cross and don't see any differences:
https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/imper...-6/#post458353

As for the lack of details: as I understand it, KO was not the top quality producer and even good preserved crosses seem to me somehow mediocre compared to Wagner, Friedländer, and other traditional makers (not speaking of Godet and like). Furthermore, the cross has been badly damaged at some point which I believe took its price too. Maybe even spend some time under the ground. This could explain the partially replaced pin system (the hinge looks original though), broken arm, badly looking surface, and crude details.

I can be mistaken, of course. Still trying to learn and therefore will be much grateful if someone of the more experienced guys disproves my theory.

[Chopperman]

A "KO" cross was used as the master to make
the mold for this really rough fake. One look at the
backside tells the whole story.

[Walkwolf]

Huge difference between the two - the first one posted
shows that it is a one piece.........

[Miro]

The scar on three o´clock arm that is visible on both obverse and reverse shows the place where the cross cracked like one piece biscuit - and was soldered back. Three piece cross can´t crack that way. Core yes, but silver frames just bend.

Otherwise, obverse is really tricky, must be said.

[Miro]

The scar on three o´clock arm that is visible on both obverse and reverse shows the place where the cross cracked like one piece biscuit - and was soldered back. Three piece cross can´t crack that way. Core yes, but silver frames just bend.

Otherwise, obverse is really tricky, must be said.