Steve campbell

That's too bad, but the short pin on these is a sure giveaway.

The other sports badge, without the swords is also known as the DRL sports badge, and looks to be in the bronze version.

The two badges with the helmets are black wound badges for 1 or 2 wounds or frostbite suffered in battle. The one on the left is a WW1 and the one with the Swaztica is WW2. The ones below this with the steering wheels are drivers badges for driving proficiency. One is bronze and one is silver, without the fabric backing. They are Third reich german badges but are one of the few from this era without swazticas on them. The badge to the right with the 2 soldiers pulling the alligator out of the water is a German/Italian campaign medal I guess for service in North Africa. It's missing it's ribbon. The one with Aldolph Hitler 1933 looks like some kind of NASDAP party pin but I'm not sure. Someone else will have to authenticate it. The eagle is some type of uniform eagle but again I don't know.

The Collector's Guild had an 1870 EK1 that was said to be of the TR era for sale awhile back. The picture may still be there.

Yeah, this L/12 BS has got to stop. People adding this mark for a few extra bucks. Sad thing is I feel the cross went for not much more than an AWS would have.

Bingo! I recieved that very opinion from Mike Kenny, and when I recieved it it reminded me of that maker also, although no doubt Mike's opinion may have influenced me. I do have an AWS flatback to compare. Of course I never said anything in my post so I would get unbiased opinions, and viola, the first one in is also saying AWS. Thanks Micha. So what do you think of the mark? Added later? If so I'm not happy, because I would be happy with this cross anyway, without the mark. If the mark is added later it really detracts if you ask me. Now what about Junker adding the mark themselves from old stock they aquired earlier from AWS? There is the example of Z overstamping WS EK2s and makers sharing cores and hardware.

A closer look at the maker mark. Is this a legit Junker stamp? It does appear to have some patina in the stamp.

Another look.

Another look.

Here's the rear without the disc and washer. The wear looks legit as does the cross in general. Is ita Junker and is the mark legit is the question.

The hardware. Not the typical TR era generic disc here.

I picked this item up on a whim during one of those periodical dealer updates. You know the ones where you have to act quick. It's suppose to be a TR era EK1 marked L/12 for Junker. However, another maker comes to mind and I'm not sure about it being a Junker. It doesn't have the characteristic frosting on the beading or the typical generic TR era screw disc. In fact, one of those disc will not even fit on the L/12 marked piece. I'm hoping to get some opinions on this one. Was a mark added or is this a Junker cross from another era that the company added the mark to? There appears to be some patina in the stamp itself. Does this look like a Junker and does the stamp look legit? I have to make a desicion on this one soon. Thanks, Steve

No no, I never meant it that way at all. Just throwing a compliment to Mike and letting you know I trust his opinion. Mike and Micha are the 2 guys who I trust the most and who have helped me a great deal when it comes to Iron Crosses.

And the rear. I wonder who the maker is?

This just arrived this morning. It's an interesting variant, that although I wouldn't say is rare, I don't think you see show up everyday. Either way, this is a one piece EK1. Although the sales thread never mentioned construction, I believe it may be brass. The cross is non magnetic with the exception of the pin. The piece is in pretty good shape considering the construction, as many of these variants never seem to hold thier finish. I'm guessing it's a replacement piece from the 30's? Any opinions would be appreciated so I can get as much information as possible. Thanks, Steve.

Yes get Micha's opinion, but there's not much Mike K doesn't know about these things. If he says it I'm halfway to the bank.

There are genuine L/52 TR era 1914 EK1s out there, along with other LDO numbers such as L/11 etc. I have an L/52 on the way but it has a proper mark in the box and in the proper position. If you can return this do so because it has too many question marks. Don't give up on EKs though, give up on sketchy sources.

The rear showing the mark.

Was going through my collection and thought I'd post this one, one of my favorite EKs. A Deschler EK1, marked 1 on the pin.

The rear without device.

The rear.

A recent pickup, a screwback EK1 with the clamshell style device. It's vaulted and unmarked. I've been told it's a Deumer. Any comments?

Nice one Micha. I never knew you collected wound badges. I have the black one like this marked DRGM.

Thanks. I have been fortunate enough to pick up some great pieces in the last little while. I'm almost up to 100 Iron Crosses!

Here are my two blued core EK1s. The other one is marked 930.