DavidM

Rear

Hello I've just received this nice frosty, near mint EK1, marked '26' for B H Mayer. The small brownish thing on the lower right of the core was a small piece of the tissue paper it came wrapped in, since blown off the cross. As usual, any comments or observations welcomed.

Hello Thanks for that Dan. Useful information. I had my own suspicions about it, which is why I posted it. As I said, one I'll not be bothering with.

Hello Price wise the 57 versions of both the RK and the oaks etc are no where near the cost of their 1939 - 45 counterparts, although the really early quality items are now starting fetch decent money. I too would expect them to be more than the price quoted. See if you can some good, sharp close in shots of the front and back from the seller. From these pictures it is hard to tell for definite, but I still have reservations on these. I'm still hoping Grant Broadhurst and some of the other 57 experts chime in on this thread.

Hello I like it. Nice one.

Hello Many thanks for that. I've looked and looked at this one on the dealers site for a while, and I just couldn't place it with any others I have seen in books or on forums. I won't be bothering with this one then.

Hello Can anyone say if this is a good, original 1813 EK2 ? Any help, advice or comments greatly appreciated. The description of it is: Iron Cross 2nd class 1813. The core which is cast Iron is undamaged but most of the black paint finish has gone giving a Iron grey finish. The cross is 42 mm wide approx and the loop is unmarked. The soldering is not so good and the frame is split in a couple of places on the internal arm of the cross. Many thanks in advance for your help.

Hello I'd ask the seller if the back is slightly dished - concave if you prefer - and if possible for a close in, edge on shot, together with a close up of the front. The problem now is that a lot of people are off loading fake or reproductions oaks as 57 pieces. Ask the question, get some better shots and post the results on here. Personally though, I feel these are some the reproduction pieces that are showing up on places like E-Bay and being sold as 57 items. As with anyone I'm not always right, and at those prices it would be really nice to be wrong about these. Hopefully some of the more experienced 57 collectors will chime in as well. Grant, DaveB, where are you ?

Hello I can't say for definite from these photos, but this set looks like they have a flat back to them, and if that is the case then, in my opinion, they are reproduction oaks and not a 57 piece. The 57 oaks still had the slightly dished style to the reverse. Ask the seller if the back is flat or slightly dished. If flat I wouldn't bother with them.

Hello That's a very nice, crisp minty EK.

Hello There's nothing wrong the Zimmerman light DKs !! Mind you, I have to say that, as the only DKiG I have, apart from my cloth version, is a nice minty Zimmerman light

Hello A very nice set. I can't tell for certain from the picture as posted, but is the metal version of the DK a Zimmerman ?

Hello Thanks to all for their comments. Rick, despite the rather strange ring stamp - or what seems to be a ring stamp - I'm 100% now that this one is an S&L. Many thanks for the comparative pictures. Nice crossess you have there

Hello Great story and by the sounds of it a great guy as well, taking the initative to place himself, (and his staff), right up at the front to provide rapid treatment to the wounded. I bet he saved quite a few lives by doing this that would otherwise have been lost.

Hello With the personal provenance, and the super condition of the pieces that's a great set. What did your wifes great grandfather do in both WW1 and WW2 to earn the EKs and bars ?

Hello A super and unique grouping. When you say 'long gone' do you mean that you have sold them on ? If so a pity, as that sort of grouping is the type that would be a great centerpiece in anyones collection. Thanks for showing it.

EK2 MM '65'

Hello I've just received two nice maker marked EK2s, both of which are, in my opinion, text book examples of each manufacturers work. I apologise for the poor photos, but with the exception of the shot of the rear of the '55', I had to use flashlight rather than natural daylight. First up is a '55' marked cross, J E Hammer & Sohne, Geringswalde. Although it doesn't show to well in the photos, there are numerous die flaws visible on the rims. Overall not in bad condition. The cross measures 43.99mm x 44.12mm. The second one is (yet) another '65' marked cross, Klein und Quenzer, Idar Oberstein. This one is in pretty good condition and measures 44.57mm x 44.53mm. I don't know what it is with these K&Qs, but I seem to keep buying them. As usual, any comments or observations welcomed. Thanks.

Hello A very nice cross. Congratulations on great catch.

Hello No problem, you are welcome. I was rather hoping some of the experts would chime in on this thread with their views as well. After all, I'm only one person and one view. But why does everyone keep calling me Mark ?

Hello In my opinion I believe that this bar is ok. There are two or three known rear set ups for this maker. the more commonly encountered rear set up is akin in appearance to the early ist pattern bars, but this maker is also encountered with a needle pin and a rear set up like yours. The front has the characteristics for a bar produced by Paul Meybauer. So yes, in my opinion I believe this to be an original wartime piece.

Hello The site that you have been looking at is operated by a Paul Waterworth. There is a rather long queue forming full of people he has ripped off, and all looking to 'have a chat' with him. Waterworth, and his wife Susan, are well known purveyors of fakes. If you look hard enough there are some genuine items in his stuff, but the bulk of what he sells is junk. He actually has the stuff made for him, and then artifically ages it. The man, his website, (incidentally he doesn't live in Blackpool. He lives in a place called Leigh between Manchester and Liverpool in the UK), and his goods should be avoided at all costs. Whatever you do, DO NOT deal with this person and do not buy anything from his website. He is a fraud. Most collectors here in the UK have heard of, or come across him at one time or another. Just ask around.

Hello A great story and great picture. Thanks for sharing something which clearly has personal meaning for you.

No, I don't know the story. Please tell, or point me to thread with it in.

Hello Thanks to all for their input. Now it's Sunday, and I'm seeing straight, it is quite clearly an S&L, and thanks to Steve for the overlay confirming it - look what you can see if you don't drink beer on a Friday night If I may say so, not a bad one either. Dave, ?95 I haven't looked at it in any detail, so I take it at that price it was a reproduction ? If not, it must be the bargain of the century