The last one, which you say might be Austrian has had a bit
of discussion lately over on a different forum. In Previtera's
"Iron Time" first edition he shows an example of this one(pg168)
and says that they are tought to be French made as propoganda
pieces. The Crown being a French Napoleonic crown.
Many people do not believe that to be true. Some believe this one
to be a post war souvenier. No one knows for sure.
Greg,
when I first purchased Previtera's book, one of the first things to check was this cross, with the one you mention on page 178 (revised edition)...it is similiar but not the same, not a Napoleonic crown, different lettering, and the leaf spray is different..so not the same cross, however during conversation with an advanced collector, I was showed a copy of Vernon E Bowen's book 'Prussian and German Iron cross' published (privately) in 1986, (now very difficult to find, i've tried !) and low and behold on the paragraph concerning one piece crosses the same cross was shown and attributed by Bowen as 'Austrian' manufactured...I shall visit my friend in the next week and note the page number, and photgraph .....I include a shot of the 'French' propaganda (proposed, for we as you say,will probably never know) cross (from the 'Iron Time') for comparison with my 'Austrian' EK II. (im sure Mr Previtera wont mind its use on this occasion)
Very interesting.
After goin back and comparing yours and mine and the one
pictured in the book, Yours is slightly different while mine
matches the one discribed by Previtera.
gregM
Live to ride -- Ride to live
I was addicted to the "Hokey-Pokey" but I've turned
myself around.
Greg...been and read the posts/threads on the other forum, interesting thoughts on this cross, seems things have moved on since Bowens 86' publication (Austrian), both yours and my style of cross are shown and debated, all with little actual proof, mentions of catalogues, articles in period newspapers etc, but nothing produced but theories and supposition, without actual proof I cannot buy into it, at this time.....maybe they are period scams/souvenirs by the French or indeed theatrical props (I find this unlikely), more likely to be made by the costume jewellery firms as they cash in post war period as vet replacements, but who knows !.....maybe one day. Intresting information re/Otto Schickle production of the one piece, where did that surface ?
I have never really been a fan of the "propaganda" theory.
It's a great story but it seems like a lot of time and expense
to make an iron cross with (the wrong crown) and undersized
oak leaves. It seams way to subtle.
The idea that they might be post war souveniers might hold some
water. I guess that untill we can find some period catalogs or
advertisements, we may never know on this one. I think that whatever
they are, they are still an interesting varient and while
I would not pay a lot for one, they are still collectable.
The connection of the neusilber diestruck crosses to Schickle
comes from a scan of a period catalog and comparisons to
mounting hardware. I have sent you a link.
Last edited by Chopperman; 10-14-2012 at 02:01 AM.
gregM
Live to ride -- Ride to live
I was addicted to the "Hokey-Pokey" but I've turned
myself around.
The connection of the neusilber diestruck crosses to Schickle
comes from a scan of a period catalog and comparisons to
mounting hardware. I have sent you a link.
Hi all, looking at these two pieces. The EKs look good (to my untrained eye) but something tells me the documents are probably bogus? As long as the crosses are okay I really don't care about the documents though. What's the verdict?
Oh, I don't mind if this is moved to the Imperial EKs thread if you'd prefer.
locloc08, Ive merged the thread to this location where it will be seen by our resident EK collectors, and therefore better placed for evaluation, and of course your Iron Crosses will part of this outstanding thread ! (im sure Chopperman would agree).....your crosses look fine, the award certificates are IMO just as important as the EK's !.....and came in all shapes and sizes, sometimes handwritten affairs, or regimentally printed and hand filled in, they were in the main, issued prior to the official 'Urkunde' and actual cross was awarded.
I agree that they are just as important. I mean how many collectors have a name to thier medals? See what I mean? These tell you dates and sometimes a little description of bravery. They also look great displayed together! Lee
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