DavidM

Hello An absolutely super cross. Congratulations on a superb find.

Hello A very nice condition original EK.

Hello You may only have the three EKs at present, (believe me it won't stay that way for long !), but they are three extremely nice original crosses. I love the contrast of the brass against the black paint and silvered rims

Hello I think that is an exceptionally nice original EK in super condition. A very nice trade !!

Hello As has already been said, this is a nice original EK.

Hello Thank you all for your replies.

Hello Joe Thanks for the fast response. Much appreciated. By the way, who's Robert ?

Case Top, underside, interior with inside base removed and the underneath of the inner base. The markings pressed into the card are 621. KB

KVK front, rear and maker mark

Hello I have just got this cased KVK 1st class with swords, maker marked 1. Although my scans and photos don't really show it, the cross appears to be an earlier plated version. The case is without hinge or catch, the outer covering and the inner lining acting as the hinge. I have never seen a KVK marked 1 for Deschler & Sohn before. I would be grateful for any comments and opinions as to the originality of the cross and case. I have examined them and am satisfied that they appear good - but the experts opinions on this forum will be welcomed. Many thanks. Regards David

Hello Just to complete the story, I contacted Philipp Militaria who said send them back. On the same day that they received the oakleaves back I was refunded. No problems, no dramas, just a dealer who delivered on their inspection / originality refund promises.

Hello A very nice original piece. You are quite correct as well in saying tha the DKiG is a super item. I prefer these to the Knights Cross, (although I still want a KC for my collection), and feel these are probably the best looking award produced during the Third Reich period.

Hello Bill This cross was on Detlevs site on Friday. Not the best picture to work from, but looking at the set up on the back I see a lot of similarities to yours. The block style hinge, the round wire type catch, and the shape of the pin. This is WW2 manufactured replacement EK1, 1914 and is stamped L/11 which is of course Wilhelm Deumer of Ludenscheid. I feel now that yours can only be either a Mayer or a Deumer. Looking back at the other suggestions I think we have pretty well eliminated them through comparison. Mayer or Deumer ? That's the question now.

Hello I see Laurence has already provided you with the web link to Philipp Militaria. They do sell some good stuff, including Knights Crosses etc, many of which I seen discussed in other places and all have had the 'thumbs up'. Everyone is entitled to a mistake, so I'm returning these but will still probably buy from them again.

Hello Thanks for this Grant. You have confirmed my suspicion that this isn't a 57 piece. I didn't like the look of them as soon as I opened the case. Even my late version 57 oaks - the cheap glittery looking ones - are slightly dished. These are now going back for a refund. The sad thing is these aren't off E-Bay, they came from Philipp Militaria in Germany and were sold as genuine 1957 re-issue oakleaves with case. Back to the quest then of finding a set of early issue 57 oakleaves.

Hello Thanks for that Tony. I have my suspicions about them but just need to make certain before I return them.

In the case that has come with them. The actual items do look better 'in the flesh' than in these scans.

Rear of oakleaves

Hello I have just received these 57 re-issue version of the Oakleaves. Can anyone say whether these are actually a 57 re-issue item ? The rear of the oakleaves is flat, and even with the 57 version, especially the earlier type, I thought that they should be slightly dished. Or are there variations of these, ie from different makers ? Any help or comments greatly appreciated.

Hello Bill I really think you may have something here. I'll get back to you tomorrow. Tonight is not a good time - I've been on a liquid leaving do for member of staff !!

Hello Many thanks.

Hello That's a nice used cross. A shame it can't tell us where it's been and what it saw ! I'll see if I can find anything that might ID the manufacturer - but don't hold your breath ! I posted an EK2 a few days ago whose manufacturer I can't identify, but sadly there has been no response. Probably a silly question, but I assume there are no numbers or marks on the ring ?

Hello Bill I'm going to do a comparison of the different manufacturers rims, beading etc to see if I can find a match. It will be later in the week before I get back to on this though. I too am enjoying this, especially as it is making me look closely at the identifiers for the different makers. A good and enjoyable learning exercise ! Regards David

Hello Bill I've been doing a bit of searching, and here is one I didn't think of, B H Mayer. Have a look at the pin and hinge in the photo attached here. In the second picture is the clasp on my B H Mayer. Mine has been slightly squashed at some stage, but you can still see that is a wire type, like that on the WW1 that you posted. A possibilty ?

Hello I'm sorry, but I agree with Albert, not a wartime original.