DavidM

Hello A super collection of ribbon bars. As Kevin says, please post photos of the backs of these.

Hello I've no idea as to the maker, (but I'll see if I can match it any over the week), but I would have said these are not pre 1918. This is only my opinion, (so please feel to to ignore me ), but based on the styles of the fronts, and certainly in the case of the second one, the rear, I'd say these are Third Reich produced pieces. The pin on the first one is faintly reminiscent of both the Zimmermann / Godet pins from the WW2 EKs and some WW1 EKs I have seen !! Edit: I've just taken another look at the second EK posted. Has that pin been replaced or does it look like the original item ? I ask I have two Imperial EK1s in my collection, (see photos attached), whose hinges and catches don't look a million miles away from the second one that you posted.

Hello The pictures posted aren't the best, but from what I can make out I can't see anything wrong with this cross. What makes you feel it is a fake ?

Hello That is a really beautiful piece Gordon. As you say, it has an air of quality about it that is apparent even in photos.

Hello The original wearer of these awards never had them mounted, even though he probably had the opportunity at the time. I would say, and obviously this is only my personal opinion, that they should be left as they are, and as the original owner had them.

Hello From the pictures shown so far, this piece may have some potential as an original. However, could you please post some face on, closer in shots of the back and front. Thanks.

Hello Two very nice badges. I have only seen one of these once before, and thought, as it was described as a 57 para badge, that they were fakes. A more knowledgeable person set me straight as to these being very early Bundeswehr badges. Anyway, very nice.

Hello Thanks for the comment. It's taken me sometime, (and a new DSLR camera), to get to this level. You should have seen the rubbish shots I used to get !!

Hello I still collect Third Reich and Imperial items, but I also really like these 57 items. What I am always on the look out for are the really early pieces made from wartime parts. Obviously they are also considerably cheaper than their Third Reich counterparts.

Hello As Proper has already said, run a mile from this one !! How many well known collectors have discovered that some of their collection is actually made up of fake pieces ? More than one. That aside, I wouldn't entertain dealing with anyone who exhibts that sort of attitude. Is this a private sale or is it from a dealer ? If a dealer would you please let us know who it is so that they can be avoided in the future.

Hello I'm not sure about this one. I have examined and handled quite a few bars (spange) to the iron cross, (I am most definitely not an expert however), and I haven't seen one quite like this before - which of course doesn't necessarily make it a fake. That said, what is making me uncertain is that the date numerals look like the ones found on the very rare so called 'intermediate' pattern bars, (the type that sits between the first and second pattern styles), yet the date trapezium is more angular than the 'intermediate style. The intermediate bars I have seen haven't exhibited the 'veining' to the wings that this appears to show, and which is seen on all first and second pattern bars. The only other none intermediate type bar I can find which has date numerals like these was given a universal 'thumbs down'. However, that said, these aren't the best pictures inthe world. Can you ask the seller for some sharper, face on and closer in shots of the back and front - and one with the pin down. Hopefully some of the real bar experts will chime in and help out on this one.

Hello I have also used one these, albeit a few years back now. I found the Lee Enfield to be a robust and accurate rifle. I agree, there is some weight in them. Presumably that's why they when they issued to the troops they always came with a sling. Now imagine using the T version with the telescopic sight mounted, adding an extra 2 - 3 lbs to the weight.

Hello Looks ok to me as well.

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Hello I have just obtained an SMLE No4 Mark 1* rifle. To comply with UK law the rifle is deactivated. This is the only weapon I have bought, having for many years wanted one the Lee Enfields. This particular rifle is, I believe one of the Savage, USA, manufactured rifles. It comes with the so called 'pig sticker' bayonet. Here are some photos of it. Any comments or observations welcomed.

Hello Really great photos. It looks like dogs weren't the only Luftwaffe pets. Here's Wilhelm Herget with a raven, (see page 352 'For Fuhrer and Fatherland - Military Awards Of The Third Reich', John R Angolia, 3rd edition).

Hello Thanks for that Gordon, a very interesting piece of information. I have also seen 57 badges with the style of pin and hinge seen on this GAB which can be positivley dated as to purchase to the mid 1960's, (1964) through to the early 1970's, (1972), hence my 'timeline'. Your information adds another perspective on things, and makes trying to define any sort of timeline for these even harder !! If we accept that you could obtain these awards back in 1964 with the type of pin and hinge shown here; and if we accept that you could get these awards with the type of pin and hinge that you describe in the late 1970s, then 'dating' these becomes nigh on impossible. All that could be used then is the cripsness, quality and the level of finish on an item.

Hello Thanks for the comments Gordon. Whether I'm right on this Idon't know, but for the 57 items, I define early as covering approximately 1957 to 1967, mid from 1968 to 1976 and late thereafter. Although this piece isn't one of the very early ones which still used the wartime pins and hinges, I believe it to have been made in the first ten years. As I say, just my definitions, based on the styles of pins and hinges from items that have known dates of purchase, together with the overall quality of a piece.

Hello Sorry, but in my opinion a definite fake. The beading doesn't match to any known originals, it lacks the crispness in appearance associated with original ones, and although the reverse is a reasonable facsimile of an original, it still doesn't match. The hinge looks good, but the pin isn't long enough and the catch from this maker is wrong, and set to high up the back. Apparently the way to tell the Floch type fakes of these from the originals is that all known originals have a small dimple in the centre of the upper arm, against the outer edge of the beading. Laurence, these EKs, as far as I know, don't have the oval plate as seen on same makers KVK's.

Hello Not the best paint job in the world, but far from the worst. So the paints a bit 'rough' in places. It's still a nice, original EK, and I reckon that if you try tinkering with the paint you could well end up making it worse. Enjoy it as it is.

Hello Thanks Paul. It is even better 'in the hand' but I just can't quite capture the true look of it in a photo - yet !!

Hello A good question, and one to which I don't know the answer. Part of the answer may lie in the speculative story that the IAB was originally devised in 1938 as an Army marksmanship badge. If that was the case, despite the award criteria in WW2 of taking part in three assualts on three seperate days using only hand held weapons, it may account for the lack of numbered versions. But this is pure speculation based on rumour rather than fact. Maybe some other members can shed more light on this on ?