Glenn R

That's a lovely piece Brian. I'm afraid I can shed no further knowledge on the location etc but I totally agree that the obscurity of the subject is one highly unlikely to be faked.

Aside from that, my experience and interest in engraving leaves me in no doubt at all. Lovely to see such a rare thing as this. Most genuine WW2 engravings I've seen tend to be little more than hand scratched "field" engravings.

I'm quite envious!

Glenn.

Thanks Brian. True, I haven't seen very many genuine engraved ww2 crosses. Seems to have been more of a norm in ww1. Perhaps the availability and practice of purchasing a nice silver vaulted piece from a jeweller led to more engraving being done as it may have been something offered.

Ha. Like it Robin.

Welcome Brian!

"The other guy" ....... isn't that a film??

I do love engraved crosses. I have owned a handful over the years, most of which I think I've posted here.

My personal favourite I own, has the inscription (in German of course) reading;

"Conceal the longing in your heart with the cross on your breast. Thea."

Lovely crosses there gents.

I'm really keen to get this on the basis that it addresses the history of the award in the military and political sense. A good look at the history of the campaigns in which the cross became an important emblem would be fantastic for me. I'm afraid I'm a bit of a completist and the thought of a further look into the subject gets me a tad moist of brow.

If as you say Chris the book is that good in this department then I really think it will have a place on my shelf next to the Iron Time and all the others.

Now this is a really interesting database. They've put this together really well too. Very easy to research. Thanks for the heads up.

Thanks for the pictures, he's clearly found a great hobby. I read your post with interest. Gentlemen and women all welcome here. The title refers more to our codes of conduct.

Thanks for posting and do stick around, you're most welcome.

Glenn.

Great idea for a thread Andy. Let's hope there's more takers.

This could be really interesting. Nice first pair Andy. Got any more?

Must be some other members with similar?

Thanks Jock but don't worry. Started searching for one having seen your results and managed to get one from my local electronic place for £25. Will be posting some results when I've got the hang of it but thanks a lot for the offer mate.

Thanks Jonathan. Looks like one for the Christmas list.

Thanks Jock, that would be great.

Thanks for that Jock, I'm not a million miles from a Netto. I'll have a look. I really struggle to take decent close up photos and yours look spot on.

That seems a seriously good piece of kit!

This is basically EK porn. On that basis I thank you Greg.

I've always favoured the backsides myself. Which is absolutely not a euphemism!

Great collection mate.

Glenn.

Sounds interesting Terry. Soon as you have some pics be sure to post them and the members here will be more than willing to help you.

Welcome to the forum.

Glenn.

Nice pic. He looks a character....laid back and enjoying a smoke. Will let you know if there's anything if interest to you.

I'm in the process of ordering copies of the war diary for the 19th between June 16th and July 16th 1916 to cover the build up to and the attack on Mametz Wood during the Somme offensive. If there's anything there of interest I will let you know when it arrives. I've recently bought a casualty plaque to a lad of the 19th RWF died from wounds received in the attack on Mametz Wood. I believe they were a service battalion if I'm correct?

Fair play. They certainly deserved recognition. They may have been armed but were poorly equipped and displayed a lot of courage.

Smashing crosses Jock. I like all three. Possibly the pin itself may be replaced on the second pillowback, I've only seen round pins or the "coke bottle" shape like your other one but it's only academic anyway as it's been very well done and looks period from what I can see.

Really nice.

Superb selection of crosses. What an incredible bonus to find that tucked away in the box. Fantastic.

I've a tendency to think that high quality crosses would surely have continued to be made post war. The good makers would still be in existence and there was surely a continuing market for privately purchased pieces.

Most companies producing badges want them identified as there own so would initials necessarily be quality control or just like any other product, to identify the maker and sell more.

I'd always assumed no maker mark or simple 800 for example to be award pieces. Just my thoughts.

First I've seen Chris but what a nice little item.

I remember fr being identified as Frank and Reif. Long time ago. For some reason I was once told that KAG was Klein and Quenzer.

So many lists out there and a lot of guess work in the past falls into being accepted fact.