Another EK11

[HARRY THE MOLE]

This is the last of my recent purchases on eBay Germany... a very nice untouched EK11 with two Urkunde. The intention is to frame the medal with at least one of the certificates, but I'm unsure which one to use. The seller indicated that both of them belonged to the medal, but that surely can't be so. The maker's mark on the ring appears to be 'WIIM', possibly 'H. R. Wilm?' The staining on the medal is just dirt. I've included an extra picture for Chopperman - he wanted to see my bangle next to an EK... click on images (twice) to enlarge.

Cheers,
Steve.

[Gunny Hartmann]

Very nice Steve, the maker mark is Wilm, H.J. Wilm, Hof- und Silberschmiede, Berlin!...

[HARRY THE MOLE]

Thanks for the info Gunny. And by the way... that bunker by the railway line is much more visible now that they have started work on Chapleford railway station.

[Franjo Vuk]

Very nice iron cross, I would use first urkunde to frame it with that cross.
Best regards,
Franko

[buellmeister]

Harry,

What a nice grouping! I love the patina on your cross and I'm in agreement with Franko to have the items framed.

Well Done!

Joel

[Watchdog]

Nice one steve,

Hard to resist these aren't they?

It is not unheard of for two certificates to be issued with one medal. Usually it would be a "Zweitschrift" (think that is correct?) ie a duplicate normally because the original was lost but I don't think this is a "duplicate" because of the ornate style. More likley I think that the plain one is the official document from higher formation and the decorative one is a regimental affectation. I am afraid I cannot offer proof of my assertion but this is just what I have gleaned over the years. A similar practice seems to have been followed during the TR period and I have seen a preliminary certificate, duplicate and decorative certificate all for one award.

Personally I would use the decorative one for framing. As for the medal itself I would be inclined to brush off the dirt maybe with a little soapy water (total drying is crucial of course because of the iron core) thus removing the crud but not any of the patina. I find this generally a good policy because the muck is not only unsightly and is contamination rather than the patina of age but you don't really know what it is and the harm it might cause if it is not totally inert.

Don't forget to post a pic of the frame!

Regards

Mark

[BlackCat1982]

Dry it with a hair dryer after washing and you can be sure to get rid of all the damp.

[Chopperman]

Steve,
That's a nice cross and documents grouping. I hope you will post pictures of your
finished display once you get it all framed up.

Thanks for the additional picture

[ynot]

Steve,

The 'Fuehrungszeugnis' is something like a good conduct certificate and is named to Oberjaeger Hans Seidenzahl of the 7th Jaeger Bn. in Bueckeburg. Unfortunately I can't read the squiggly lines properly at the bottom.

The iron cross certificate is named to Reservist Phillip Mueller. Inf. Leib-Regiment 117.

I know those fancy, decorative certificates are faked a lot and hope your one is a good one.

Tony

[Watchdog]

Steve,

The 'Fuehrungszeugnis' is something like a good conduct certificate and is named to Oberjaeger Hans Seidenzahl of the 7th Jaeger Bn. in Bueckeburg. Unfortunately I can't read the squiggly lines properly at the bottom.

The iron cross certificate is named to Reservist Phillip Mueller. Inf. Leib-Regiment 117.

I know those fancy, decorative certificates are faked a lot and hope your one is a good one.

Tony

Hahaha!

Well spotted, You are dead right of course! I never even read the plain document I just accepted it as being of the same purpose and answered the question about duplicate documents.

Not even the same recipient D'Oh!! That will teach me to RTFQ

Regards

Mark