Hi, I am new in this medal, ever saw photos of KVK Klasse 1 showing golden/brass color, like the below photo, though zinc grey is more often. What is the real original color of KVK 1 Klasse? Thanks.
About the color of Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse
Hi, I am new in this medal, ever saw photos of KVK Klasse 1 showing golden/brass color, like the below photo, though zinc grey is more often. What is the real original color of KVK 1 Klasse? Thanks.
The 'early' Kriegsverdienstkreuzen were made of tombak, wich explains the color. When certain materials were getting scarce they were mostly made from zinc, as is the case with other medals and awards.
Regards, Rik
That little snippet of a photo resembles one of the many Deschler hoarde KvK1s that are kicking about.
Having been poorly stored for decades the damp and other nasties take their toll on whichever metal and finish has been used
Thank you very much,guys
Just to add to the above; the early KVK were indeed made from tombak which in generic terms is "a brass". Contrary to common belief brass is not a metal in its' own right but it is an alloy of two or more metals. To be properly brass it will be an amalgam of copper and zinc (up to 16% for UK alloys or as high as 20% for European tombak) but can also include lead and iron depending on the end use of the material. The tombak base medal is then given a silver coloured finish (usually plating and frosting then burnished) and it is when the finish wears that the tombak becomes visible and the colour is due to the copper content which is also the cause of the verdigris sometimes seen on any item containing copper. The visible tombak will vary in shade from light and shiny to dark and dull depending on the level of oxidation present.
A point to note is that bronze is also an alloy of copper and usually tin that has similar visual properties but is far darker in colour.
The subsequent change to plain zinc (mainly because the Germans had no natural copper deposits)
meant very different wear / patina characteristics.
I hope this helps.
Regards
Mark
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing he cares more about than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature with no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
Thank you very much, Mark,your explanation is not only helpful but also knowledgeable.
Tombak awards are generally more desirable, as the silver finish tends to be better preserved. Zinc awards have a tendency to absorb it over time, leaving the matt grey colour. You also won't have to worry about zinc pest with an award of this type.
Regards, B.B.
Thank you.by BrodieBartfast
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