DavidM

Rear of late RK

A late version RK with Oaks. Three piece construction, non magnetic core and really bad paint job !!

Rear of early RK

Hello Here are my two. They have been shown elsewhere on this forum as well. First an early S&L, unfinished eye and 'flaws' to the beading. Magnetic core, marked 800 on the rear upper rim and on the ribbon loop.

Bar to the EK2 in LDO box

Rear of 'Prinzen' bar

Hello First a 'Prinzen' size, which I have to confess I've never been to sure about due to the beak, although overall it looks ok. Any comments on its originality or otherwise would be welcomed.

Hello I agree with the other comments. A really nice, original EK1.

Hello Dan Thanks for the kind comments. My current 'mission' is to try to locate the really early versions of the 57 awards before the prices sky rocket - which I feel they will as more and more TR collectors are begining to look at these. Mind you, in my opinion, a collection of TR awards isn't complete without the corresponding 57 version as they are offical 'replacement' awards. As I mentioned before, some of them are already commanding fairly high, but not yet excessive prices. What we really need is for someone to publish a book just on the 57 version awards.

Hello Dan The 57 re-issue awards are, in the main, not to expense yet. But the price is rising, especially for the ones made out of left over wartime parts like the early RKs. I got this blockade runner just before Christmas last year from a well known German dealer. Cost wise I would expect to pay around ?25 - ?40 GBP, approx $43 - $70 USD. Just out of interest for you, here's a link to my other 57 awards which may (or may not !) interest you. http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=7134 http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=7178 http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=7382

And an early production 57 version

Hello Dan A very nice, early set in great condition. It's not often you see them now with the silvering still on the eagles. Here's mine, not in quite as good a condition as yours though.

Hello An exceptional find and a stunning display !! Wow !!

Hello A very nice collection of beautiful original EKs. Thanks for showing them.

Hello Dan As rough guide I'd say that a nice cased example like this, from a dealer, would be around $300 - $400 USD.

Hello Text book B H Mayer spange. A really nice original set that you have there. Thanks for showing it.

Hello I wouldn't be to hard on yourself over this. You have a very nice, original cased EK there. Ok, you learnt that friendship doesn't count for much with some people in this hobby, but at least you learnt early what this person was like. Best of all you have invested in reference and other books on the subject - and of course joined this forum !! The knowledge gained from your books and the forum are your best guides. As Benjamin Franklyn said: If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

Hello Grant A really good quality, early RK. Add to it the known recipient and his history and you have one superb item there. Congratulations a really, really nice piece. Thanks for showing it.

Hello A very nice, classic KO EK1. Thanks for showing.

Hello Grant Thanks for the comments. I find these things are like buses; you wait ages for one and then three turn up at once !! Just for change though, a few early / mid decent quality items have turned up and while I have a few pennies that I can spend. What I want to find now is a really early, quality Luftwaffe pilots badge.

Luftwaffe Para Badge

Hello Just got two more for my 57 version collection. These are the Luftwaffe reconassance clasp and the Luftwaffe para badge. As always, any comments or observations welcomed.

Hello Gordon Many thanks for that. At least my suspicions about it were correct. It can now in my fake drawer, which fortunately only contains two items - this and an EK1 I bought about 12 years.

Hello Has no one any comments or opinions to offer on this one ? Anyone ?

Hello A beautiful cross. Thanks for showing it.