EK 1939 "24" or "74"?

[Bill Garvy]

I was offered this Iron Cross in 2nd Class. It was alleged to be a "74" for the firm of Carl Mauer & S?hne, whom I did not think manufactured the Iron Cross in 2nd Class. Upon receipt and inspection of this cross, I am of the opinion it is a wide-frame "24", inasmuch as it appears to resemble the other 24's I have inspected with respect to core and frame features. I also returned the cross.

Gentlemen, I am soliciting your best thinking on this matter.

obverse:

reverse:

maker mark:

[DavidM]

Hello Bill

If you hadn't put any text in about this cross except 'what do you think this is', my reply would be that it's a wide frame 24.

[Bill Garvy]

Thank you, David, for confirming my suspicions on this matter!

[joe campbell]

herr garvy,

i concur with the 24 frame analysis.

i think the downward/to the left angle of the

first digit is too acute to be a 7. while not an

impossibility, there is no way i would use this as

my first example of a "74".

is that a spirochete within the ring of the

MM photo??? just curious...

joe