Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2 klasse mit Schwertern // 15 - Friedrich Orth ?

[Sveimhugi]

Hello

I am having trouble with this KVK2 with maker mark 15.

It does not seem to match the ones I have seen before, the features are not there.
It could be a replaced "bandring", but I am having trouble finding its maker, some are simular, like the 10, 45 ,100 and more but none a perfect match.

The after work on it is pretty unclean, like on the sword handles.

I hope somebody can help me find its maker, or its "just" another variant of the 15. I am either way going to keep it and see where this leads

Thank you

[spunkmaja]

Hi Sindri,

At first glance it seems to be an zinc Orth. But a closer inspection it seems to be another maker, as you suggests.

Here are some observations:
- Cut ribbon ring
- Larger Swastika
- Different suspension ring
- Different sword handles
- "1939" is close in style but the "1" seems thicker.

To find a match is very difficult, but a zinc 10 looks quite close.

Here is my Orth for comparison (new scans):

[Sveimhugi]

Hi Jonas

I was hoping for your response.
Thank you for the scans, I think its safe to say its not a KVK 15.

Yes its very hard to find the maker, the features you point out are all right, and some match the 10 very well.

But the very big drop shaped suspension ring and big leaves on the wreath (and more) are very close the the 45 also.
But then again the sword handles are not right.

Oh.. well, very hard to say, I will keep it, but will look out for a new 15

Thanx again for your time and observation

[BTR]

Maybe it's 45 - Franz Jungwirth, Wien ?

[BMB]

Hi!
It is another variant of Orth's "15" KVK2, attaching pictures of mine to compare with.

Maybe it's 45 - Franz Jungwirth, Wien ?

Near but not exactly the same, see pictures of my "45" cross to compare with.

Best Regard
Martin

[MichaelFalk]

The design is definitely a 45 KVK from Franz Jungwirth / Vienna. Certainly he once did an order for Friedrich Orth / Vienna and that's how this KVK came about. The same can be seen with zinc KVK marked L / 11.

[BMB]

The design is definitely a 45 KVK from Franz Jungwirth / Vienna. Certainly he once did an order for Friedrich Orth / Vienna and that's how this KVK came about. The same can be seen with zinc KVK marked L / 11.

Hi Michael!
This became very interesting, I think.

I have taken a closer look at Franz Jungwirth's cross and agree with you in what you write. But what is really interesting to me is that my Franz Jungwirth cross has a different pebbling pattern than these "45" crosses, so it looks like my cross is a variant of these crosses ("type 2"). Do you agree with me on this?

Best regards
Martin

[Sveimhugi]

Thank you for waking this thread up from the dead =)

Very interesting information.
Its true that the pebbling is not the same.

Thanks these observations!

[MichaelFalk]

Franz Jungwirth used 2 different point designs, that's right.