Gordon Williamson

Don't pretend to have the answers but I don't believe it is a coincidence that the last three photos - in the exact order that S&L provide them, follow exactly the last three stages in that order, of their flow chart. - "befeilen & verputzen" (filing the edges and general finishing work), "versilbern" , (the silvering of the frame) and "polieren" (polishing/ burnishing).

Whatever detailed knowledge we lack today of the process, I don't think S&L would have got the process steps wrong in two separate publications. They must have known what was correct. Especially where the Iron Cross was concerned. This was their main product, in terms of status. S&L were not just another firm that made EKs it was the product of which they were most proud after all they made the original tooling. They were sufficiently proud of this that S&L at that time referred to themselves as the " Der Werkstatt des Eisernen Kreuzes"

More , note the second last para. Awards from before 8 May 1945 could be acquired without providing an "ausweiss" or proof of entitlement.

And the last para., referring to the 3rd Para of the regulations applying to collectors.

I still regularly see reference to 1957 "neue Form" decorations as "Bundeswehr" awards or that veterans had to provide an award document or some other proof to be allowed to purchase one.

In fact, 1957 awards were always available, "over the counter" to anyone who wanted to buy one. They were never specifically for the Bundeswehr but for anyone who wished to wear or display, but couldn't because of the swastika, their original awards whether members of the Bundeswehr or not.

It was only the modern awards of the Bundesrepublik that required production of proof of entitlement from someone who wanted to buy one.

Note para 2 here refers to providing proof of entitlement and para 3 specifically points out that this does NOT apply to awards from before 8 May 1945.

The only gorget worn within the KM was the Marineküstenpolizei gorget. I can't imagine why a political/civil organisation like the RLB would have a KM mark on its gorget. Even the Marineküstenpolizei gorget didn't have KM marks !

Final polishing/burnishing

Silvering of the frame. Note these photos are in the correct order as provided by S&L, the frames are silvered after assembly as per the chart at the head of this post.

Final finishing of the edges etc.

Cores finished and inserted into frame

The cores being spray painted

The frames halves being attached by means of the small eye which holds the suspension ring. so that the frame is open all round apart from this, allowing the core to be inserted later.

The frames being stamped

Next, the die being cut.

Here now, to go with this are photos from S&L showing some of the steps. First the graveurmeister at work.

Some of you may have seen this chart before. It is S&Ls own flow chart of the production of the EK.

This Finnish Cross is very well made, in real silver gilt. The eye for the suspenion has three markings. One I can't quite make out, one a crown and the other this - a silver content mark I believe.

Thanks Rick !

"Generic" with Swords doc with space for class to be typed in.

Any ideas on the signature Rick ?

Steinhauer RK with "big brother"

Very, very impressive Heiko. Have you got the U-Boot-Krieg clasp for the Kyffh?usser medal ?

Reverse2

Reverse1

Thanks Rick. I had my doubts (its not my Cross). All those I've seen which purported to be original had very fancy stylish engraving. This looked too modern a style of font. Damn shame because other than that its a fine EK1. You can't really make it out on the image but it is maker marked WS to the right of the retaining hook on the reverse.

But most interestingly, during his service on the George Thiele served as a military police NCO in Swinem?nde, and was issued this ID card.

Presumably a forerunner to the Marinekustenpolizei

And the Memel Medal

The guy had previously served on the Destroyer "Georg Thiele", earning the Sudeten Medal