Imperial Eks

[Chopperman]

I don't know how many times I have mentioned that a Wagner marked
1870 Ek1 draws an immediate red flag from me.

This one as far as I can see looks 100% good. All I can really say is
WOW. That is a great cross. I have seen many discussions on different
forums asking -- what is the one piece that you want for your collection.
Typical answers are a Knight's cross with Oaks and swords or Hitler's
Ek1 or Goering's sword. My answer has routinely been--a true Wagner
marked Ek1. I am completely green with envy.

Very well done, Miro.

[Miro]

Thank you Greg, for the nice words. This is surely not the nicest cross I have ever had, as it has repair to the catch and cracked core, but it is one of those only 1.302 awarded which makes it very special.

I was able to secure it with the assistance of Trevor (streptile) who helped me to identify it from really crappy seller´s pics (seller is not militaria dealer/collector). When I had it in hands first time, I was quite sure. As you see from last photos, frame halves were never opened, so it is not Frankenstein, and the very early pin is not later upgrade, as deep patina around hinge clearly shows. Plus, as you correctly pointed out, the marking is fine, having umlaut at O in LÖTH and mistake in T, being visibly smaller than Ö.

I would just like to add, that this is not the rich man blink, but lucky hunter´s trophy. If someone wants to have EK1 1870, he can make it in five minutes from many dealer´s sites for the price around 4.500 €. But this is not the style I can afford. The fact, that these crosses still appear in the price consisting of only three numerals, should make everyone red with hope, not green with envy. Next time the Big Luck can visit you, just be prepared to catch it.

At the day this cross came, when I thought I was the luckiest collector in the world, one guy showed on WAF two original Schloss Klesheim oaks and OL&S, one cased, bought at French village flea market for the price of silver brooch.

[Miro]

Nnnoooo, really !!!

;-O
Mfg
Marc

Now you know why I was thinking about selling my EK1 1914 Prinzen. ;-)

[unimarc]

I must say I'm a little greenish too;-) but you deserve this in your collection :-)
Many congrats !
Mfg
Marc

[Chopperman]

----I would just like to add, that this is not the rich man blink, but lucky hunter´s trophy. If someone wants to have EK1 1870, he can make it in five minutes from many dealer´s sites for the price around 4.500 €. But this is not the style I can afford. The fact, that these crosses still appear in the price consisting of only three numerals, should make everyone red with hope, not green with envy. Next time the Big Luck can visit you, just be prepared to catch it.

Excellent .
Like you, I have seen the ones on dealer sites. I work with a very small budget and I can not
justify spending more on a Iron Cross than I have ever spent on a car. PLUS, there is just something
far more satisfying about finding one in the wild, after a long search than just clicking buy now
on a dealers website.

[Miro]

Hmm, if I could afford to spend as much, as I spent on cars in my life, I would be owner of Pour le Mérite... And if I had to choose only one car as a comparison, the most expensive one was worth three quarter Juncker RK with case. I was young and stupid, lol.

[Miro]

After a time I received couple of EK2s. I bought them because of one interestingly looking piece, that turned out to be ordinary Deumer (yes, I was bidding on crappy pics again). But when I inspected the other pieces, another one caught my attention. It has unique crown that I have never seen before, cast core and overall top condition. I was trying to compare it against Wagner, who is known for his early EKs with sandcast cores of different variety, but it doesn´t match. If somebody can help, I will appreciate it. And if not, just take a look at this beauty.

Miro

[Chopperman]

That's a really interesting cross. I'll take a look through mine and see
if I have anything close to it..

[unimarc]

It sure is a very nice cross :-) I will look trough mine too, but I am pretty sure I don't have a match :-/ I like the rough sand cast structure but still very good details !
Bidding on crappy pics are twice the fun, a bit like gambling ;-D

Mfg
Marc

[Miro]

Thanks Greg and Marc.
Yes, it´s similar to gambling, but there is one crucial difference. You don´t have money return privileges in Casino ;-)

Miro