Bill Garvy

obverse of cross. . .

Here is an example of an Iron Cross, 2nd Class, maker marked "123" for the firm of Beck, Hassinger, & Company of Sta?burg. What's nice about this particular example is that it represents, to my way of thinking, a complete ensemble with tissue wrapped unissued cross, ribbon with safety pin, and a maker stamped envelope of issue. I hope you enjoy this modest presentation. . .

And finally, the maker mark. . .

reverse. . . note the rounded inner corners. . .

Here you are, Dave. If you need any more, please let me know. . .

Well, thanks to you gentlemen, Marcus & David, for your thoughtful and studied input. This certainly lays the "Maria Schenkl, Wein" issue to rest. In comparing the unmarked cross that came with my packet with a maker marked "27", they are indeed identical with respect to their manufacturing characteristics.

Hinge open. . .

Hinge closed. . .

The manufacturers who come to mind are Deschler & S?hne, or B.H. Meyer. . . The clasp & delicate vaulting. . .

The reverse. . .

What do you gentlemen think of this unmarked 1914 Iron Cross in 1st Class? It appears to have been manufactured during World War II judging by the shape, pin, hinge, and clasp configuration. Your valuable input is solicited. . .

And finally, a close-up of the maker's stamp. . .

The reverse of the cross and envelope of issue. . .

Along the line of thinking initiated on another thread was the idea of maker stamps on envelopes of issue with "unknown" maker's numbers. Here is another example, this time of an unmarked Iron Cross in 2nd Class with its envelope of issue with a heretofore unknown manufacturer of the Iron Cross. I wonder which of the "unknown" numbers corresponds to this maker?

maker stamp close-up. . .

reverse. . .

I too had heard the "hoard" stories of crates of these being found. . . I picked one up from Niemann some time ago, and I like all of its characteristics as compared to an original. It even smells old! It is interesting to note, no Iron Cross, 2nd Class maker mark has been associated with this particular manufacturer. Perhaps it is one of the dozen or so unknowns?

Maker mark on reverse of pin, and the "LDO" marked card on which it was pinned. . . [attachmentid=9369] [attachmentid=9370]

Certainly not the smallest, but an "L/15" by Otto Schickle. What do you gentlemen think of this one? It is not mine, but these photographs were sent to me by another collector. . . [attachmentid=9367] [attachmentid=9368]

And finally, the maker mark. . .

From the reverse. . .

Joey, Thank you for your kind words, and just for fun, here's another "76". . .

Larger pictures would help, but I think with the wide frame you describe, you might have narrowed the list of the usual suspects down a bit. . .

I checked a mint "23" in 2nd Class in my collection, and discovered the marks you highlighted above to have been filed & finished down. In other words, the "slots" were filled, and the finishing file marks are perpendicular to the seam, but just in the inner corners. I would hypothesize with the marks on yours, Rick, the solder was either removed or wore away. Wouldn't those inner corners be the most difficult to (hand?) solder anyway? I am sure there were finishing files that fit those inner corners perfectly, thereby hastening the final hand finishing process, but these are just hypotheses, gentlemen. . . obverse: [attachmentid=8983] reverse: [attachmentid=8984]

Rick, I have a maker marked "27" for the firm Anton Schenkl?s Nachfolger, but it sure isn't marked like yours. Those are some unusual double marked pieces you have posted. Of the fifty-one maker marked Iron Crosses in 2nd Class in my modest collection, none are double marked.