Gordon Williamson

These heavy cellulose thread hand embroidered pieces were worn by both officers and NCOs. It is generally considered that those like the ones on this page, with black highlight threads, are NCO and those in all golden yellow thread with no black highlight threads are officer. Of course the hand embroidered gold wire versions like this were also worn by officers - and NCOs.

Close up of makers label.

Not quite identical to yours Darrell but very nearly

Rick is correct. The DD hat eagles come in two styles, one has the cockade physically attached to the eagle, and the other , earlier type like this is worn with a separate cockade.

The hand embroidered one is the type typically worn by NCOs on the reefer jacket, the other is the standard BeVo weave enlisted mans eagle used mostly on the blue pullover shirt. I have the identical hand embroidered piece with the original makers label still attached to the reverse, I'll post it later for comparison.

You should be able to get multiple images in a single post so long as the total of them all doesn't exceed the overall limit per post. If you are having problems getting more than one image , you can use the reply function and add new posts to the thread each with another view of the cap.

The "26" EK1s from the Russian hoarde are burnished. Thre Gablonzer method was available to all makers in the sense that the firm never patented the system and offered other makers the facility to use the process. However, that would still have entailed any maker wishing to change systems having to purchase new machinery. I suppose it would have depended on the numbers being manufactured. For one of the smaller firms only manufacturing them in small numbers it probably wouldn't have been cost effective to change processes. On the other hand major manufacturers like Steinhauer for whom it might have made sense, don't seem to have bothered.

I agree that the EK2s made by the Gablonzer method do not tend to show evidence of burnishing. They also tend to lack the "white" frosting to the inner part of the frame. I've had mint unissued Gablonzer type specimens without frosting. The pressing process leaves the ribbed inner frame slightly coarser in finish to the outer flange in any case, giving a contrasting appearance. Bear in mind that some firms may have used traditional methods before the introduction of the Gablonzer process so you may find both traditional and Gablonzer styles crosses with the same maker mark.

Sounds like you've got the main ones. There are some posthumous types which used the standard document and had the additional text typewritten in rather than printed. I haven't come across an A5 posthumous type. There is also a posthumous type with mixed font types, looks like the printers used a template for the standard doc then added additional text, but in a different font.

The numeral 6. with the dot is for Fritz Zimmermann of Stuttgart. The makers mark sounds just right (presumably in incuse relief ?) Could well be a good one.

There are actually two versions of the case. The other is longer, the additional section containing two stickpin miniatures. The case lining and exterior covering is identical for both types. The detail is indeed stunning. Most miniatures look quite good until you look at them in extreme close up, but this little beaut is perfect. The stippling to the arms of the cross is astonishing, likewise the detail to the sword hilts etc. Reinforces my own personal feeling that very few other manufacturers approach Steinhauer for quality.

I have in fact seen a couple of caps with removeable tops where the top was definitely one from a sailors cap. While it might matter to the purist collector, I'm sure it didn't matter much to the sailor at the time. Externally there is very little difference, its all to do with the interior lining. These tops do appear from time to time though. I've seen several for sale over the years so don't give up on getting the correct top. Of course the difficulty would be getting a size match, but its not impossible.

Very interesting piece. Never seen this type of fitting before. As Darrell says, you'd need views of it taken apart to be sure. One thing about fakes, - they rarely turn up in "ones". If a load of this style start turning up it would be a worry, but based on just this one, I wouldn't be too quick to write it off.

I agree, when you think of the kind of prices Knight's Crosses of the Iron Cross are fetching, yet they are not that rare. I could probably point to a couple of dozen original Knight's Crosses of the EK on various sites right now. Try finding a good cased RK of the KVK . Not many around. Mind you these mini RK of the KVK are very expensive. This one cost me the price of a good full size German Cross.

Very nice Sal ! I've seen a few of these with the slides rather than prongs, but never seen a maker marked one before. I suspect these notches in the ribbon may have been caused by just wear/friction rubbing against the slides rather than deliberate. The small length of the ribbon when worn on the buttonhole wouldn't really leave much opportunity for the clasp to slide up and down so I think it was just left "loose".

Lovely piece Jan Arne. Next to Schwerin, I think the early tombak GWL are the nicest of the Destroyer badges.

Absolutely stunning example Jody !!

Very nice, and very unusual. I have only ever seen one other 1914 EK2 with the 800 mark on the frame but without the crown and crescent.

Thanks Laurence. Wasn't cheap, but I couldn't resist it, it makes a perfect companion for the full size Steinhauer RK.

Reverse

Obverse

Close up of case

And with the little fella

First the big guy

Thanks for sharing Peter. Very , very nice indeed.