Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

[Witt]

I bought this Iron Cross locally a while back and I would like to have the status of the ribbon examined. The cross seems to be a decent example by Königliches Münzamt Orden, Berlin as marked by the stamped KO on the suspension ring. It is one that shows it’s age due to the wear. The way the ribbon is sewn and retained into the style worn on a ribbon bar is what I do not like. It looks very sloppy from the reverse and I can not see this realistically being legitimate. The ring is sewn onto a piece of felt that is in the shape of an eif rune which is then sewn through the ribbon. Please let me know what the deal is with the ribbon.

Thank you, Ben

[Chopperman]

Hi Ben,
My gut says that the felt and the ribbon are new.
The ribbon looks to new and to stiff compared to the condition of the cross
and I have never seen orange felt used before.

Where in Wisconsin?

[Witt]

Thank you Chopperman,

Yes, the ribbon is pretty stiff . It is still has a flattering look if you only see the front and the ribbon is maneuvered in a way that you can’t see the orange felt peaking through. Haven’t decided if I should keep it as is, or slice everything away and keep the cross stand alone.

It was from the West Bank, La Crosse

[Chopperman]

I would suggest doing a black light test and a burn test on the ribbon.
The blacklight test is pretty straight forward. The ribbon should not gloww
under UV light.

If it passes the blacklight test, I would pull a thread from the ribbon.
(not the attachment threads but from the actual ribbon) and try burning it.
If it's an original silk ribbon, the thread will burn and leave ash. If it's a
modern synthetic, it will melt into a little ball.

[VtwinVince]

It may have been removed from a medal bar mounted in the Wuerttemberg style.

[Witt]

So here is the update on this one. The ribbon does not glow under ultraviolet, it is far more dull under the light than my WW2 German photographs. I sliced a frayed thread from the end of the ribbon as well as one of the threads connecting the suspension ring to the felt. I could get the thread that fixes the ring to spark but it would not burn. The thread from the ribbon burnt quickly and left a spot stained on the cement.

[Chopperman]

Sounds like an original ribbon but I don't know what to think about the one thread
not burning.