DavidM

Hello Two very nice EKs that you have there. The '93', Richard Simm & Sohne, isn't seen as often as some, but isn't what I would call 'rare' either. One of the slightly more difficult ones to get I'd say. Nice find.

Hello Thanks for the information Gordon. Out of curiousity I have just sent a reply to S&L enquiring about the EK1. If I get a reply, or indeed an EK, I'll let you know. Hopefully they will be in a period where they respond as I am interested in seeing what they are currently selling, in terms of quality (or lack of) etc.

Hello An absolutely super DK Is the tooth pick holding the case lid up period as well ?

Hello The question is, what do they mean by 'original' ? A nice early 57 RK, (I very much doubt it), or a late, (later ?), production piece. Don't forget, as their e-mail to me said, the prices are plus VAT, at whatever the rate is in Germany and plus postage. I haven't ordered anything yet, but I think I will to see what I get. Not sure if I need to order via e-mail, phone or if it can be done through their website, which can be found at: http://www.steinlueck.de/index.php?rubrik=startseite If you get anything be sure to post it on here.

Hello A short while ago I e-mailed Steinhauer und Luck enquiring about the manufacturing process of their range of 1957 re-issue awards, and asked if they had any old late 1950, or 1960s catalogues lying around that I could buy. I had given up any hope of a reply when yesterday I received an e-mail with a list attached. The e-mail simply said: Dear David, on the following list you find the badges which we can supply + VAT + Freight costs. With best regards As I only, and specifically enquired about 57 badges I am assuming that this is a list of the 57 badges that S&L can still supply. Of course, this may be unsold stock still in the factory, or possibly they still make these items - despite percived wisdom being that S&L ceased 57 production in the late 1980s / early 1990s. I might order something to see what I get. Any thoughts or comments welcomed.

Hello Dave Given how controversial these S&L DKs are, what are the factors that deem a swastika'd S&L DK to be war time or post war ? When you say that the two you have shown are deemed to be post war assembled, (as opposed to manufactured), this implies that the parts are believed to be war time produced. Would this be correct ?

Hello Very nice S&L DKs On the second one, the rear of the DK has what appear to be circular score marks. I've seen this on a couple of these before but haven't seen an explanation of it. Any ideas what caused it, bearing in mind it can be seen on some of the S&L DKs and not on others? The wreaths on the two that you have shown here are identical to the one on my 57 version, and looking at the shape etc of the stars from the back and front, they too appear to be identical. The pins, hinges and catches look the same - so all in all apart from yours having a swastika and mine a facsimile of the 57 re-issue EK, I'd say they are exactly the same. Thanks.

Hello Richard I don't know when this DK was made, but from what I do know of the 57 items, it is safe to asume that this type is one of the very first out the factory. I wouldn't date it any later than late 1958, perhaps just into 1959. Yes, it is made with war time parts. For example the back is, I believe, cupal. As far as I can tell the only parts not of war time origin are, obviously, the facsimile of the EK and possibly the round silver back plate under it.

And in gold

And silver

57 version of the Luftwaffe Transport clasp in bronze

57 version of the Luftwaffe Air Sea Rescue / Reconnaisance clasp in gold

DK in case

Rear of DK

Hello I have just received a couple of 57 items. First up is an early 57 DKiG by Steinhauer und Luck. This came in what appears to be a halbetui style case. Next the gold version of the 57 Luftwaffe Air Sea Rescue / Reconnaisance clasp, also by S&L. This I think is a mid produced piece, (very late 1960's / early 1970's) Finally, a complete set of the 57 version of the Luftwaffe Transport clasp in bronze, silver and gold. Again I think these are mid produced pieces, (very late 1960's / early 1970's). As usual, any comments or observations welcomed.

Hello What about this one? Unmarked, clearly Souval frame but the core looks pretty similar to yours. It came in an LDO halbetui case. Any thoughts or comments.

Hello Before I even saw the other replies, the first pictures of the two crosses screamed W&L, maker 100. So in my opinion, the EK1 is definiately a Wachtler & Lange.

And another

One of the pages

Hello Here's another that covers German awards from 1870 to the 1990's, and includes the 57 reissue WW2 awards and West and East German post war awards. ?19.90 on Amazon.de. The prices in it aren't particularly accurate, even though the book was only published in 2006, but a decent quick pocket reference book - it's A5 size. Thanks to Gordon Williamson for pointing this book out to me.

Case inside showing ribbon & RK (left photo) & interior (right photo)

Case Top (left photo) & underside (right photo)

Rear

Hello Sadly I can only offer a lone 57 RK. Cased, with a length of ribbon, it is a three piece, magnetic core, early 57 from S&L.

Hello I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that I think that this Schinkel is ok. The date numerals on both the back and front match up to known originals, and the shape, style and size of the swastika look correct as well. Non magnetic Schinkels are encountered, and deemed to be original Third Reich pieces, so no issue with that either. One question. Are you positive that it's one piece ? I ask as the photo of the front appears to show two frames, with the rear frame marginally overlapping the front. Look at the bottom right of the six o' clock arm and the bottom edge of the nine o' clock arm. I have a Schinkel with a magnetic iron core but which has seen some wear over the years, and the join on the rims is now virtually invisble, hence why I ask. Anyway, for what it's worth, in my opinion I think this EK is good.