Peter Cornwell

Claudius,

There are no umlauts on my cross. But the correct spelling of the pilot's name is Bäumer.  

Scottplen,

I'm unsure if your question was to me or exactly what you mean by 'valid'. The inscription is as you see it and conforrms in most details with that on the EKI held by the IWM in London. From what I can make out, their inscription has no umlauts either.

Thank you all for your interest. Gordon Craig describes the correct individual.

The pin is stamped with a G. The cross is inscribed V.FELDW P. BAUMER JAGDSTAFFEL BOELCKE 8.11.17

After some very mild polishing, these seem to be the best close-ups I can obtain with my camera. Hope they will suffice.

Hi Claudius,

Thanks your the reply. Sorry for the fuzzy photos, let me see if I can post better images.

I am hoping that some knowledgeable members here will offer an opinion on this cross which has been in my collection for over 35 years. It was purchased from a reputable dealer who had an outlet in Brighton Lanes back in the early-'80s. It was a tad over-priced being inscribed for a pilot of Jagdstaffel Boelcke but the significance of the recipient was in no way reflected in the asking price so I snapped it up. So far so good but a few years later, an illustration of another EKI bearing a similar inscription appeared on p140 of V.E. Bowen's Prussian and German Iron Cross (1986). This vaulted cross is held by the IWM in London along with its Godet case. I have long since theorised over what I may have here but would truly appreciate more knowledgeable and objective opinions. Thanks.