saschaw

From what I know one had to have been in Tyrol to get that one, indeed.

While I cannot prove the assumption is wrong, it totally doesn't fit into my thoughts... the letters are first letters of names and sometimes possibly of cities. I hope noone does! "What we know is a drop, what we don't know is an ocean", as Sir Isaac Newton put it.

Odd. Really odd.

I'm not aware on any facts regarding these control marks. We find them, as said, on several makers' pins, and also in the eyelet e.g. of "R" crosses. I don't think they were meant for the GOK, but rather something workshop internal - which explaines only some makers have them. Imagine there were five guys assembling the EK parts at Wagner, and one being a total bumbler... No, we don't. That's why I said "I believe". You have an EK1, and I had one in hands yesterday. Finding the mark on 2nd classes, however, is indeed a bit odd but doesn't change much of my thoughts.

"Original", according to the seller - but I do disagree! http://www.ebay.de/itm/170992129326

I fear you got me wrong. All awarded crosses are flat ones, but not all that are flat are awarded ones. With the exception of "CD 800" which I believe to be awarded crosses, I assume most crosses with silver purity marks are privately purchased ones. Furthermore, the "Y" is unlikely to stand for a maker's name. I assume it's rather a controll mark, like they're found on the pins backsides of many crosses e.g. by Sy & Wagner and other main suppliers. At least, this were my thoughts from yesterday, when I had such a "Y" and "800" marked 1st class cross in hands on a local show...

Wow, indeed one of the nicest and most tastefull ones I've ever seen... Remindes me so much of this here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_ptqXqjsZw

Ah, okay, great! Just wanted to send you the pictures, before logging in here, but failed as your email provider doesn't like me... ;o(

In March 1914, I assume?

You have one more, screw back again like the 1st one from #41, but unmarked.

No, of course not! I know the sets don't prove anything... but they are good indicators. The more I find the better.

These are the China medal from 1901 and the Jerusalem cross from 1898, both awards by the German emperor: http://www.ehrenzeichen-orden.de/deutsche-staaten/china-denkmunze-fur-kampfer-1901.html http://www.ehrenzeichen-orden.de/deutsche-staaten/jerusalem-erinnerungskreuz-1898.html

Straube has one more EK group that suggests "FR" crosses were awarded in end-1915/early-1916. If interested, please check his #100000000004138

I don't know if it is the case with very this bow - but it was possible. Here's a guy who wears his 1864 or 1866 MEZ2 on a "girlie" bow:

They're so similar many don't know the difference, and even in period, many tailors didn't care (or know). The difference is the width: The EK ribbon is 30 mm with 5 mm wide white stripes, the MEZ ribbon is 35 mm with 7.5 mm wide white stripes. But, as said.... even back then some didn't care. Yes, they were. The only other award for EMs and NCOs available in these days was the Military Merit Cross, of which just a hand full were awarded. These three (MVK, MEZ1, MEZ2) were also awarded for the wars of 1864 and 1866, when there wasn't an EK.

I cannot imagine it was usual widows wore real awards. It's much more likely this was worn by the wearer to his civilian cloths.... nothing unheard of.

Reminds me to... http://www.ebay.de/itm/181075720675

It was sold by mentioned seller in 2010.

As Daniel sayd, last ribbon is Tunis' Order of Glory. But I would not buy the bar... reverse backing looks like modern fabric... and it was sold by ebay seller hagekna41.

With that extreme swapping on 1914 crosses' parts, I'm honestly not sure if there must be a crossover. But it's indeed likely there is, given I'm right.

The "S" actually stands for silver, as the gold parts aren't real gold but silver gilt here. But as only Scharffenberg used this mark, it is a cross by Scharffenberg however.

Barac's cataloge also shows one silver medal.

Still interesting to me...

Stettin having a mint doesn't change the K.M.St. crosses are made in Stuttgart mint, orders departement. They share the safety hook with the Württemberg pin back Wilhelmskreuz. According to Klein & Raff (p. 413), the Stuttgart mint made 6,455 Eiserne Kreuze 1st class and 24,318 Eiserne Kreuze 2nd class, all in 1918/19. Unfortunately, they don't give any more information, e.g. if all of these crosses were private purchase crosses or some delivered to the GOK or EZA (thinking of the 2nd classes), or how the 1st classes prorate on the different variations. Well, it's a book on Württemberg medals after all.

This Prussian officer who was a Saxon in 1866 is really odd... but he does look old. Fake bar of the week! http://www.ebay.de/itm/281060939963