Chris Boonzaier

That nails it :-) I think even in the hand it is impossible to tell if some are repaired. If the jeweller who made crosses back then repaired a cross, it is very possible that his repair is the same quality as a newly finished one. For some reason I doubt that a jeweller today would be able to do it as well.

I proudly introduce my new word to describe this.... "Cross Pollination" ;-)

Hi Alex, I stand corrcted. I think if there are the same crosses with the same fittings then it is probably that makers way of doing it. I do imagine if someone sent a cross in to that maker for repair, he could probably have repaired it with his style of hook or hinge, giving a bit of "cross pollination"

Wow... someone took a lot of trouble to group all those together.... waht would they be worth? 25 Years if you tried to sell them in the states ;-)

Somewhere I have really good pics of some that were removed from a sledge for whatever reason. They should actually be good as a pattern....

190 IR

186 IR

182 IR

181 IR

180 IR

A few more... :-) 18. I.R.

Hi, I am guessing we would need two by the same maker with the same fitings to see a "maker" trend, and the same on a cross by a maker who usually did not do it to see a repair ? Best Chris

That would be great! I thnk mine is 1913 dated. Will check when i get home. Do you know anyone who does good horsehair replacement pads?

I think these are indeed repairs, high quality repairs, and IMHO make the pieces more sexy. I have seen them on a number of crosses. Best Chris

Nods as good as a wink to a blind man, say no more, say no more....

Seems to have been on the Ailette river at the time, near Manicamp a fantastic piece... i would back flip for it!

Hi, he was a hardy go getter who in operations with 2 half sections assured the succes of 2 operations that killed 6 and took 5 POWs, then killed 2 and took 3 POWs. Really nice citation!!

So.... I guess its time to break out the FR and Fr crosses? If the same maker, the MUST have been a bit of crossover in hardwear, stamps etc?

Hi, it sounds like a possibility, I am just trying to think if I have seen many trenches in the Verdun sector with that kind of wall? I always thought (for no ratonal reason) that the "woven walls" were only in some sectors where that kind of wood was around. Like I said, that is a thought based on no rational evidence...

It is indeed an ugly core... I will get the stamp sanned when i get home... it was alate 1916 award with a F R in a box

Hi, were they the only ones who made these or is it a sea of makers like the EK? Best Chris

Oooooh.... you rained on my parade!!!! Sure, can you send me the pics :-)

Hi, these were postwar... After the war, in the Magazine "Der Deutsche Tierfreund" (The German Animal friend) a farmer speaking on the subject of the horses that had served wrote: "When we sing of old comrades we must also think of you, brave horses, who have served the fatherland in the most difficult of times, heroic and faithful until death! We will not forget you, and we owe you a "Thank You". There are still a few hundred war horses alive today, seventeen years after the war, pulling a farmers plough and doing other peaceful jobs. Most of these horses are now between 25-30 years old and are already put out to pasture." The farmer, along with "Der Deutsche Tierfreund" took pains to track down over 2000 of the old surviving war horses and each of them received a plaque engraved with an Iron Cross and "kriegskamerad" (war comrade) to be attached to their reins. A sack of corn was also given to those horses whose owners were in a financially bad situation. It was a well merited "thank you" for the services provided. Here is some info on it all... http://www.kaiserscross.com/60401/84701.html

ahhh... there is an S

A nice pic to go with this....