Article about: A well known fake 1957 Knights Cross is the so called "Morigi fake", it is time it was highlighted here on this forum,a lot of collectors have been burnt in the past by this copy,
A well known fake 1957 Knights Cross is the so called "Morigi fake", it is time it was highlighted here on this forum,a lot of collectors have been burnt in the past by this copy, it is a very good copy of a second core 57er RK made in the U.K. for Nicholas Morigi some years ago and still sold by his firm today for around £80 at "The Regalia Specialist" OFFERING THE BEST SELECTION OF FINE QUALITY REPLICA AWARDS & INSIGNIA SINCE 1975. ALL THE AWARDS AND INSIGNIA IN THIS WEB SITE ARE IN STOCK! Morigi sells them as reproductions, so no problem there.....however after they leave Morigi's they are often sold on as original 57er RK's ! These Morigi 57er RK's are good, but not that good, the dipping ring feature is way too thick when compared to the original St u L piece it emulates...but the big give away are the details of the acorns or lack of it ! On an original St u L RK the acorn cups have hatch detail, on the Morigi fake they are smooth like the acorn kernal, and the font for "1939" and "1813" is not as chunky as a St u L original.the final clue to its originality are the leaves of the spray, they are also too chunky, often referred to by collectors as "cabbage leaves" ! ...They have a non magnetic core as on the last St u L "D" frame crosses. There is one on E-Bay U.K. now, being sold as an original for £399 by seller "a anderson" here in the U.K. I have messaged him as to its originality, I await his reply.........
...this is his reply to my message advising him on his cross....
"Dear Sir,
Thanks for your time. Let me disagree a bit. I know the Morigi crosses very well and I can guarantee that this example is not one of them. If it is a fake – which I doubt –, it is definitely not a Morigi.
I would say this is a late production St&L made in the early 1980's. As you are very well aware, Steinhauer & Luck apparently stopped production of the RK around 1986...however it is today still offered in their price lists. Steinhauer & Luck offered the Knights Cross both solid silver frames marked 800 and non marked plated frames during the life of its production.....
If you check a B type St&L, you will see that the acorn cup is smooth on the core....
Best regards
Andrew"
Apparently this dealer knows something about these 57er RK's.......but not a lot !
Having checked my collection of seven St u L 57er RK's, the "B" "C" & "D" framed both first & second core versions, not one has a smooth acorn cup as suggested by Herr anderson ! (which as you guessed I already knew) His is a Morigi fake no matter how he dresses it up ! you have been warned.
Here are the photographs of his Morigi cross....the last photograph shows the correct "acorn" detail on an original St u L second core RK, for comparison purposes.......I also show the highlighted areas on a photograph by a fellow collector and moderator Nigel from over on WAF.
Prost ! Steve.
I have actually acquired one of these Morigi crosses very cheaply, I really could not say no, its an example to study......here are more close up images......note the jump ring, very badly finished (or rather not finished) with excess metal still attached, all I have seen have this affliction in varying degrees.... the cross is three piece, with a magnetic core, this particular example has "L/12" stamped into the frame.....so actually old Nicholas has used the frames from his TR copy RK which is marketed as a "Juncker" copy despite the frame shape and rib weave bearing no resemblance to a Juncker made RK ! The oak leaf spray and font of the dates can be clearly seen in the images, much different than a St u L made piece, the supplied suspension ring is too short and too fat !....always amazes me how all of these Morigi RK's have tarnished frames.....even when new !
The etui/box is slightly smaller than a period 57er etui, but is actually of good build quality ! All in all, if you know what you are looking at no problem.......but I can see how some collectors could be fooled, after they leave Nicholas's hands !
It now sits in my collection next to the Souval RK.....wanna be's together !
Prost ! Steve.
some images from Nicholas Morigi "Regalia specialist" catalogue from around 10 years ago, so do not take on board the prices shown, TR repros up first...........
Prost ! Steve.
Gents, I recently obtained from Morigi's site a set of Oaks and an RK neck tie ribbon, very inexpensive additions to my Morigi fake ! (cheaper than E-Bay items !) ...............quality is not bad, the Oaks are nicely frosted, not that apparent on the photographs, better in hand, not unlike my Deumer originals ! I might even take the plunge on a set of Oaks/Swords !
Prost ! Steve.
Some more details for comparisons............
Gentlemen, here are some comparisons/observations:-
key:- W=weight, H=height, Wt=width, D depth.
St u L "B" frame first core RK :- Top centre in image.
W 25g
H 48mm
Wt 48mm
D 4.5mm
Magnetic core.
St u L "D" frame second core RK:- Bottom row left in image.
W 24g
H 48mm
Wt 48mm
D 5mm
Non magnetic core
Morigi RK:- Bottom row right in image.
W 22g
H 48.5mm
Wt 49mm
D 5mm
Magnetic core
The more detailed images with flash on, are to highlight and bring out the details, same layout as top two images.
Reverse of RK's and all fronts of the RK's, from "B" "D" & Morigi are shown in detail.........notice font sizes on the rear of both the "D" frame and the Morigi, both skinny when compared to the "B" frame ! But the "D" frame front font redeems itself and goes back to a more chunky appearance !
notice too the font sizes and front details of the Oakleaf spray/acorns..
I think the lack of detail on the Morigi spray is exposed in these images
Prost ! Steve.
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