Questionable L/17-marked KvK 1 Klasse mit Schwertern

[GlennAgain]

I'm not so sure about this marked, vaulted cross and would appreciate your opinions....I've come across several questionable pieces and remain most grateful for the help...
regards, Glenn

[Rakkasan187]

Glenn,,

This appears to be a post war copy..

I will have to cross reference this with my reference book on War Merit Crosses but I am 95% positive it is a post war reproduction..

Smitty

[GlennAgain]

Thank you very much for confirming my suspicions...I'd be very grateful if you let me know what you find after checking with your reference book...
Regards, Glenn

[rbminis]

IMO, it is not a war time manufactured piece.
It does not match up with known examples.
Ralph.

[GlennAgain]

Thank You very much, Gentlemen! I couldn't find another example either, and the number "1" in L/17 doesn't have the "nose" like the German ones do...instead, it's a straight line as is the American Tendency....I appreciate the help!
regards, Glenn

[Rakkasan187]

Glen,

As I suspected this is a post war copy and the LDO number L/17 is not on the list of either known manufacturers or Manufacturers of LDO Private Retail Sales Pieces. The listing may not be inclusive but the list was gathered from known examples and any KVK marked with a 17 at this time is an unknown maker..

Source: "The War Merit Cross" by Gordon Williamson and Josef Charita Pages 136-137

Smitty

[rbminis]

L/17 is the maker Hermann Wernstein, Jena-Löbsted.
Apparently quite difficult to find in Tombak, and even more difficult to find in zinc.
Ralph.

[jamie7d7]

It's a pity, but yeah what an ugly, fake cross.

Here is what they should look like...