1914 Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse M M

**Wilko** · 10-14-2021, 10:13 AM

Had a very busy weekend after my birthday and managed to find 4 Imperial EK2s, (I W possibly LW / K 800 / I V I but could be a poorly struck M and this little beauty.

A nice clear mark on the ring M M. I have been looking in several publication include German Medal makers and their marks 1813 - 1957 by Mark Woods and have found that this mark is attributed to Meyle & Mayer of Pforzheim.

It has a lovely early core with great detail while the frame has taken on a very dark patina. Cross came with and Original length of ribbon.

I hope you like this as much as I do and just had to share it with all my EK mad collecting friends.

Ken

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 10-14-2021 10:13 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Chopperman** · 10-15-2021, 03:01 AM

Ken,
This is a new one for me.

Never seen a MM before.-- I'm adding your pictures to my database.

For years we thought the the IVI mark was another one of the unknowns
but we've learned that the IVI is actually a poorly marked M. Apparently the
stamp was just slightly to big for the thickness of the ribbon ring.

"M" is the mark for B.H. Mayer.
One was found in it's original envelope with a BHM marking on the envelope.

**Wilko** · 10-15-2021, 10:18 AM

Greg,
I had a feeling that the IVI was a poorly marked M.

I'd only ever read of an Imperial EKII marked with MM in the lists online and in the couple of books I've got and was over the moon when I saw this mark. I am going to try and get better photo's of it when I have a bit of time as the light wasn't great for us when I took these.

The I W cross that I brought is a mark that I'm not really sure about. Is it an LW that is poorly struck or I W. I will post it on another thread I think and let everyone have a look at and hopefully come to a conclusion. Either way if they are both LW they have different cores as far as I can tell so is a win win situation what ever the mark is.

Ken

**Wilko** · 10-15-2021, 03:08 PM

As promised a few more images of this MM marked cross. The light is a bit better today and these pics are a little sharper.

The core could do with a clean but I'm of the opinion that it should be left with the years of patina as it is.

Ken

**Chopperman** · 10-15-2021, 03:33 PM

Thanks Ken.
I like the early cast iron core and I would leave it as it is.

**Wilko** · 10-15-2021, 03:40 PM

I will Greg, the age and grime really add something to these crosses.
I'm also with you on the very early sand cast iron core's, when I look at my EK's these early ones really are the most distinctive and most beautiful of the Imperial crosses.

Ken