Eric Stahlhut

pin marked, 800 sedlatzek berlin

one of the most difficult wound badges in real silver to find:

an excellent example of this type. the core looks to be in very nice condition! :love:

that's an excellent cross!

windu, i would try asking at a motorcycle parts store or a marine supply store. what i like about boeshield t9 is that it is not oily and leaves a clear wax protective layer on the core, and is easily removed with mineral spirits. it won't damage the ribbon--something you have to consider when using oil as a protectant. also, as a word of caution: sometimes oil-based preservatives can get under the core finish and cause the paint to separate from the core... good luck!

hi windu, in my experience, the best rust inhibitor on the market is Boeshield T9. it was developed for use on motorcycles, boats, and airplanes, and it does a great job of stabilizing and protecting ek cores that have been oxidized, and is also easy to remove if so desired. kind regards, eric p.s. bicycle chain oil might help if you can't find any boeshield t9!

very teutonicool! i wonder what the dangly ball-bearing thingy on the bottom pertains to??

hiya trevor, i will post detailed pics of the pin/hinge assembly this coming weekend...

3 cracks on a 1914

hi kay, i just need to clarify that the high gloss effect on the core is due to a freshly-applied coating of boshield t-9 (as a preservative)...it was all shiny and wet at the time i took the last picture, and not dried yet. also, as far as the cracked cores on 1914 pieces: they are uncommon, but they do exist. i have several other examples that have suffered the same unfortunate fate. that is the main reason i treated this example-- in order to avoid further damage to the core. thanks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buysVLsTDrs&feature=player_detailpage

nah, it's just the possibility that your 'big boned lady' actually MIGHT HAVE a big bone is what gives me a not-so-festive feeling... anyways, can we please proceed to the the missing link???

nope! :P

besides the fat lady singing, what?

years ago, RL posted a rather amusing thread about this character. it had some interesting pictures and anecdotes concerning his activities. unfortunately, i can't remember which forum it was on.

excellent!

yes, it could be a godet core. i don't think this is a put together cross, though. the level of workmanship is very fine, and there are no indications of it having been messed with. everything is integral, tight, and contemporary. i think that what we are looking at is an example that falls into the 'more expensive' category at the time of purchase

glenn: yep- even though it is unmarked for silver content, the reverse frame is highly reflective despite all of the tarnish. if you hold it right you can view a mirror image of the pin, which can indicate a higher quality of silver. chris, based on the characteristics, i'm inclined to classify this as a later piece. it was probably owned by an old warrior who had to dust off his saber and pickelhaube for the big show in belgium and france, and had the financial means to upgrade his ratty old first issue cross with a spiffy new cross that would look absolutely dashing at the parade or as he was strutting around HQ anyhow, here's a view of the core after i performed some preventative maintenance on it. there were minute traces of rust along the frame edges

i'm fairly certain i have a '14 ek2 somewhere with the same type of hallmark. at some point i will find it and post an image of the mark (if desired). however, one must keep in mind that it ultimately has no bearing on the authenticity of the ko4x

it sure would be nice if everyone would please try to remain civil and mature with the comments...this informative and interesting thread is on the verge of being ruined

all in all, a moderately scarce example!

reverse features a finely drawn pin and hefty catch

thin core is very magnetic