Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1.Klasse fake?

[Biwak1]

Hello

Original or fake?

[VasOnARitz]

I think that this is an original, made of tombak. I took a look at previous posts, and the pin with 'L15' with an oval shape under the mechanisms are original medals, from the maker Otto Schickle in Pforzheim.

[Biwak1]

Thanks.

But L15 is Friedrich Orth.

L/15 is Otto Schickle.

[Adrian]

As far as I'm aware, this is an original from Friedrich Orth.

The L15 mark on the pin is a source of confusion for collectors.

Friedrich Orth had the PKZ number 15. Otto Schickle had the LDO number L/15.

There was a cock up making the Orth stamp and it came out as L15.

Add to the confusion that Johannes Floch acquired the Orth tools and dies and left over parts post war and started making his own awards, marked with L15 among others. These are normally called Floch fakes by collectors.

To my knowledge, Floch didn't add the oval base plates under the hinge and catch so if an L15 marked KVK award has these, it is likely wartime produced by Orth but each piece should be evaluated and not purchased blindly because it has the plates.

Hopefully some more members can add their opinion or correct anything I've said if wrong.

[jamie7d7]

+1 for Ades comment. Decent Orth cross