1939 Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse case

[atarassico]

Good day Gentlemen,
I would like please to hear your opinions about it. Is the box real or fake?
Best regards.

[Martin3]

I don't know about this one. As for the inlay there are three tastes: spray felt, velvet or silk. This is neither one, more like a meshed fabric?
Can you (carefully) lift the inlay, or is it stuck? If so, are there any numbers or characters?
Can you test if the push-button and hinge react to a magnet?
Do you have a UV light at hand? If original, the yellow highlighted strip between inlay and box should not glow. Nothing in the case should glow, just the bone-based glue lights up a little purple. All the reproductions I encountered went wrong on that small cardboard strip. Sometimes the inserts did not react, but that piece of paper always did the talking.

I have two cases in this style, with the fat, wide arm cross on the lid, but both are different...

[atarassico]

Hi Martin3.
By touching I think the inlay is velvet.
I can't lift the inlay, it's attached to the case. Also I don't have a UV lamp.
I can say you the case is smaller than the standard: it's 61 x 61 mm (usually it's 68 x 68 mm)

[TWS]

Hi Martin3.
By touching I think the inlay is velvet.
I can't lift the inlay, it's attached to the case. Also I don't have a UV lamp.
I can say you the case is smaller than the standard: it's 61 x 61 mm (usually it's 68 x 68 mm)

I share Martin's skepticism. I take it you are measuring the exterior? The interior dimensions should be 61 x 61 mm measuring from one side to the other of the cardboard strip that Martin highlighted. Have you placed an EK1 in the case to see if it even fits comfortably?

[ColinD]

Little UV light is so cheap and worth their weight in gold, mine has paid for itself many times over.. everyone should own one.

[atarassico]

Thanks to TWS and ColinD.
Yes, I have misured the exterior.
I bought an UV light, tomorrow I'll verify if it gloss or not.

[atarassico]

Ok I used my new UV light and nothing glows.
So could I say it's original?

[ColinD]

I would give a little tip to place the item being tested side by side with a business card or new piece of cloth to see the result of the item being tested next to something that glows bright. There should be a noticeable difference between the 2 items.

[TWS]

Ok I used my new UV light and nothing glows.
So could I say it's original?

Unfortunately no. Absence of glowing is a good sign but does not mean an item is original. It could be or it could be a copy made from non-synthetic materials or dyes. @ColinD has a piece of good advice too.

I wish I could advise you further, but am no expert on cases. Best I could do is perhaps show some of mine/direct you to look at my threads where I have posted cases.