thanks for that helpful information Danny. The bead- are you reffering to the "welding bead" between the flat silver edges and the "wire" boarder meet? I've been looking for my next cross. I'd like to buy a a knights cross or German cross. I've been bitten by the bug for sure. I've been looking for a case for my EK2- do you know where I can find one? Also- gunbroker.com- do you think alot of that GErman WW2 stuff is fake? Thanks for helping- even though it is off topic. Brian