Hello Darrell As you say the front has the characteristics of a WW1 cross, but the rear looks distinctly Third Reich. I have never seen a rear like this on any 1914 - 1918 issue crosses, but I have on the 1939 - 1945 ones. However, EK's were in production for WW1 from 1914 to 1945, and were even available when the 1957 de-nazified versions appeared. I have a Third Reich period, (but pre WW2), Assaman catalalogue which offers the 1914 EK's for veterans and whose fronts are the same as the WW1 issue. The only problem is that it doesn't show the rear. As an educated guess, based on examples in my own collection and those I have been able to examine in other collections I would say that the cross is no later than 1939 but is certainly well after 1918 - probably in a time frame of 1935 - 39. As I say I base my assumption on examination of period WW1 EK pieces and the fact that the very early, (and I do mean the really early), issue 1939 EK's were around the same size and style as the WW1 EK's. I wouldn't like to say it's a Schinkel, but it does carry the hallmarks of a Third Reich manufactured piece. Either way, it's a nice piece. Congratulations.
