1939 Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz 2. Klasse

[Chrish124]

Hello All,

I won this "Prinzen" Size 1939 Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz 2. Klasse for a very low price at an antique auction. Still trying to work out it's authenticity. I like the level of detail, including the leaves, the pebbling and the "feathers". Also, the font seems correct. However the feathers that come down from the wings to the legs are asymmetrical, and the head/beak arrangement seem rather small. Any advice would be appreciated. 1322922[/ATTACH]

[Chopperman]

I am definitely not an expert with Spangen (especially Prinzen versions)
but this one makes me a bit uneasy. In all of my files, the only Prinzens
I have pictures of were made by Deumer and this does not look like a match
to me. Hopefully I'm wrong and can add a copy of this picture to my files.

I do have a question for you about the ribbon. In your picture, the left edge
of the ribbon looks to be loops while the right edge looks to be knotted but I
can not tell for sure. Can you let me know if both edges match?

Greg

[Chrish124]

The edges are equal, appear finely knotted, not loops. It doesn't glow under black-light.

[MAP]

The ends should be looped

See this link

Ribbon authenticity guide

Black light also is not a foolproof test anymore. There apparently is now a spray that will remove the chemical that causes the item to glow....or so I read on another forum last year.

Wish I could find that thread again

[Chrish124]

Upon closer inspection, the ribbon does appear to be a reproduction.

Thank you

[MAP]

I think member CMSgt knows quite a bit about these. hopefully he will see this thread

List of spange makers

[Chopperman]

Just for future reference,here is another example of Imperial ribbons.
The whip-stitched or knotted ribbon is a modern reproduction.

[Chrish124]

Thank you for posting the sample pictures. Now that I have those to compare to it is clear that the ribbon in my possession matches the one on the right, in terms of one side being looped and one side being whip-stitched. The colors of mine do seem a bit crisp though for something from that time, so I am still not convinced it is authentic.

[rbminis]

Unfortunately, this is not an original Prinzen spange.
There are only three makers of two prong prinzens.

A Deumer, that looks like this.



An unknown maker, that looks like this.



And an Otto Schickle, (which I do not own an example of), but it is not a Schickle.

Ralph.

[Chrish124]

Thank you everyone for helping clear this up. I will take this up with the dealer.