zarusthra

well thanks alot - not into belgium - guess this is my first one! (came to me in a group of goodies)

Anyone know what this is???? Looks like a MVK but it isn't

Ok I understand the lack of swords for the type - but how can you tell the whole medal is homemade? I look at it and compare with mvk's of my own and the actual body looks ok along with the enamel! I really would love to get a show and tell thing going for the community - similiar to the really nice 1870 EK one on medalnet! From my standpoint one of the best ways to end fraud is to expose and drive out - the more people know the less these people can survive! (I would never do WW2 medals - seems like almost all of them are bad fakes!)

For those of us newer collectors please explain the issues with that cross - I am many others would be greatly interested in hearing!

pics do not do the color justice and yes that is center damage

I picked up this recently and it is definately a non-iron brass with a very cool look! Anybody have any knowledge? I know they were made in brass for naval use

From my knowledge of zinc - number 1 is zinc - number 2 looks like war metal wich is basically anything they can throw into a melt pot the mushiness would come from metals with different properties being combined in a somewhat crude way btw war metal is back - seen a lot of electronics from china using that type of thrown together material!!! war metal is nice term used for a country running out of raw materials for anything - especially metal (zinc had a lot of uses near the end in 1918 hence using any junk for what they deemed as not critical applications!

I saw it before - and would love to ask - how did you quickly from a pic see it was a hemmerle???? I know your experience but what traits do you look for first on mvk's to so quickly spot the who made it and whether it is a fake! I can id a mauser bayo from 100 feet away but that is by form - trying to learn more about this area and the details!

I agree on the craftsman made way if fixing the problem - what my issue is with that is not having one to use as a pattern! I have a wall of 98k's and their variants but alas only this g98 - i have more furniture on my 71/84's and 88 commisions! I am almost at the point of getting a second g98 complete to use for reference - but for the last several years I have only seen WAY overpriced examples at gun shows!

Thanks I compared it to all the ek2 pics of confirmed good and looks like a type A - of course do not have another one to check the feel but there is no way to fake the feel of a period item! At least my experience with other items

I have had a really nice 1915 erfurt G98 that has a lot of character and charm but has one problem - missing upper handguard! Anyone know someone who has one or anybody who makes them?

Last pic Hope these give enough details!

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2010/post-9034-127280948376.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2010/post-9034-127280948376.jpg

Well I thought so on the 1st class - being painted - being too new (I have handled enough old stuff to sniff out age!) plus I got it for basically a copy price! (If it had been real I would have been quite excited but was pretty sure it was not when I got it) What quick ways do you use to determine? I have looked at a number of supposedly reputable dealers 1870 ek1's and I have to say a lot of them look awfully questionable for 1000 to 2000 dollars! Here are more pics of the EK2 - which when you have both in yours hands is everything the EK1 is not! Definately blackened not painted and looks very very type A - no ninth bead etc. - it feels 140 years old

oops - forgot the pic

Here is the back side

Here is my EK2 Appears to be a type a - not painted but has the blackened look! No markings Any idea of the maker?

lower half detail

Close up of the crown area

Here is the backside - non vaulted - very flat and right dimensions and weight

Here are some pics of first - EK1 No marks other than 900 And it is 3 piece and it is magnetic Any ideas on time of make etc....

Also has this for $650 - wco on susp plus 900 on the ring

So while this is active - any thoughts on this MVO???? 900 on the ring 950 jl on susp looking for 350 - does that sound like a deal????

Well thanks alot for all the education!!!! I am somewhat new to medal/orders - weltkrieg guy but have been focused on edged weapons/guns/uniforms etc (all imperial of course!) for the last 25years - and have started on this new area for the past 6 or so months. Have upcoming EU travel in my future so the more education I get now the better off I am when I roam around central europe looking for those needles in the haystack! (easier to bring home than a gew98!) So do you have any idea on how many were actually awarded of the variant? As you see I have the 1st class plus the second I also pictured - but have 3rd with swords and a 3rd with swords/crowns - plus my mvo 4 Would love to get all 3 classes in all version!!!