Mike K

Hi Chris, Nice unmarked Mayer. There are pics somewhere of a 26 marked example. Regards Mike

Hi Joel, Wrong forum, but hopefully someone will move this down to the 39 section for you. To answer your question though, and in the absence of additional info from the seller (ie, IS it 3-piece with an iron/steel core) I'm thinking this is a cheaper one-piece repro as the black paint appears on the beading and the seller describes it as heavy. Regards Mike

My first impression is that the ring may be a replacement. Imo it is too large, it is not joined and the join is off center. The ring is more likely from an EK2. Regards Mike

I don't see this one here yet, so ....

Hi, I have no problems with your EK1. Exactly when it was made and who made it can not be stated with certainty though imo. For interest's sake, here's an example from Oldenburg with the same hardware that was recently shown; http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=25744 Regards Mike

OK, illustrative material added for Rick.... I like the style of the engraving but not the "shinyness". I do hope a rare cross has not been ruined by a recent engraving (for whatever reason). Regards Mike

The top arm has some light filing but it is fire-gilded like the remainder of the cross. I can see no indications of removal of a suspension loop. Also, the cross is vaulted, and I can see no indications of hand vaulting. I currently only have one second class for comparison - the 2nd class is slightly smaller (even with the vaulting of the one in question) and thinner, but it's of a different design so a different manufacturer was likely involved therefore I'm only relaly comparing apples and oranges. As stated before, the obverse detail of this pinback is very good and the high points show imo genuine wear. My very first impression that the cross is period (at least pre-45, more like early 20s) in construction has not changed. Regards Mike

Yes, guilty, but I did not snipe as it closed at some nasty time in the early hours for me. I never thought I'd see it - I paid and had never had ANY comms from the seller - and he's got 4 -ve feedback from the same time. I ended up putting in a PayPal claim, which escalated to a dispute that I won and received my payment back - only to have the cross arrive very unexpectedly today! Now I have to try and get him his money back, and I STILL have not heard from him!! To top it all off, the cross only measures ~38x x38 mm Regards Mike

For David, a pic of the inner arm join as requested. No indications of having been drilled. Maybe some indications of very very fine filing. Regards Mike

Hi, Would anyone have any information on a "Rittmeister Peters" who may have won the Oldenburg FA1X in 1917? Thanks & Regards Mike

Hi, I don't recall seeing an Oldenburger with this hardware setup before, however I have see the same hardware on Prussian 1914 EK1s. Your friend's cross is probably genuine, but whether wartime, 20s or 30s I could not say. Given the butt-ugly paint job and apprently non-ferrous (?tombak) basemetal, I'm more inclined to go with post-WW1 manufacture. Regards Mike

Hi Kevin, That first cross you picture has hit eBay big time in the last 12 months or so. Imo it is simply a recent fantasy. If there is one out there with genuine "old" provenance, I'd love to hear about it! Regards Mike

As requested. Seems like the KMST can end up on either cross arm, depending upon whether the back of the cross has been rotated 180 degrees. Regards Mike

Ed, I don't know if there is anything on the rim. I'm trying to find out some info for a friend. I will ask him. Christian, thanks for your thoughts - they are appreciated and sensible. Something along the lines of the Gold-fur-Eiserne medals but for sending packages/clothes/food/etc to POWs. It's looking like this is an obscure unknown with no definitive info available. Thanks to all for your contributions! Regards Mike

Reverse...

Hi Micha, A very interesting variant indeed. THe KMST is raised, not stamped, correct? Excellent addition! Both of my "standard" screwback are totally unmarked on the reverse of the cross, but one of the screwdiscs is "KM 800" marked. From memory, there are 800 marks on the upright "rings" of the screwdisc. Pics of one attached (buggered if I can find the pics of the other one!). Having seen this one now, I am thinking the DRGM was not alowed because this "standard" screwback style was used by many manufacturers and could therefore not be patented. Regards Mike

Which type? Actual screwback or one of the round plate types with "clip" or "twist" mechanism? Can't wait for the pics! Regards Mike

I remember that one. Imo that case was not period (the insert did not fit properly) and that seller has had some "questionable" items imo (which apparently don't get questioned enough!). Like everyone else, I was watching the KMSt - a very nice example. I've seen one sell for US$1000 before (several years ago) but I'm not surprised to see one sell for over US$2000 today. Unlike 1939 L/12 EK1s, these KMSt's are truly rare. Micha, you have a point on the second one, but a pic of the reverse would have been needed. A couple of the current good repros do look good from the front and this could be one of them. Regards Mike

Construction methods and materials are the biggest differences. The spruhfilz covered insert as on your case was purely TR - not Imperial. That's the first and easiest give-away. This is also a halb-etui, which is quite uncommon for Imperial cases but common for (imo) later war TR EK cases. Regards Mike

Hi, Yes, a genuine example of the most common type of KO core - a nice example! I agree, the case looks more like TR period. Regards Mike

Hi, I know I've seen this one discussed/mentioned somewhere before but I can not find the thread(s). Does anyone have any info on this medal - who "awarded" them, for what, etc? Regards Mike

Hi Micha, A flat screwback - very unusual! One of the typical one-piece cores with the small crown. The remaining finish on the frames almost looks TR? Regards Mike

Hi, From the single pic provided so far, I also do not like what I see. This one looks very shiny - too shiny. It looks more ?gold plated that gilt finished. It does not have the colour/effect of tombak or fire-gilt. Even the early 57ers were still fire-gilded. Withough examining it, I'm thinking a good electro-plated casting. Regards Mike

Hmmm - I see good points and bad points. The obverse looks OK in general, but the diagonal strokes on the "1"s are straight and on most genuine variants I am aware of that part of the 1s are curved. At least it is not the high quality fake that has been circulating recently. Regarding the reverse, it has unusual hardware and I go not really like the burn marks arounf the hinge and catch. I think the only Braunschweiger KVK I have seen marked are "classic" Meybauers. I do not recall seeing that mm anywhere before (it looks stamped in, rather than raised??). I have to admit to being suspicious about this one and probably would not buy it if it was offered to me. I will be intersted in the opinions of others. Regards Mike

Carl Dillenide, Pforzheim?? I agree, it looks like a possible maker for CD has finally turned up! Very exciting - I just wish it was in my collection!! Regards Mike