DavidM

Hello Your collection just gets better and better. Many thanks for showing this. A very nice RK, made even more desireable through knowing who the receipient was and their history.

Hello Now admit it. You've posted that deliberately just to cause me to drool all over my keyboard Seriously, that looks like a very nice example of an RK that, up to now, I have only ever seen one of previously. Your friend is a very luck person.

Hello The plastic cases are the correct cases for these awards. I knew that the 57 DKs sometime came inthe plastic cases, but was never really to sure about them until I recently posted a 57 DKiS in case that I bought. Gordon Williamson explained that the plastic cases are the correct ones to go with the DKs. Have a look in this thread: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=16329

Hello I think Gordon has said everything that needs saying. All I'd like to add is that you have two very nice pieces there.

Hello A very, very nice find indeed.

Hello I have just got this 57 version of the Luftwaffe reconassance clasp. An exact match to the bronze version in my collection. This piece is from S&L. As always, any comments or observations welcomed.

Hello Hardy I couldn't agree more. With these 57 items, a genuinely used and worn example from a veteran is far more desirable than any 'mint' unused piece that has either simply sat in a collectors cabinet or lay around on a shop or factory shelf. Hence what I meant by 'excellent, quality'. A great score, and if you ever decide to part with it let me have first refusal on it.

Hello An excellent, quality 57 ribbon bar. Thanks for showing it.

Hello Nice stick pins Hardy.

Hello Thanks Uwe.

Hello Very nice badges Uwe. I've seen the DSB versions but until now I hadn't seen these DSA versions. Would it be possible for you to post a photo of the rear of the badges please. Nice to see you over here on GMIC as well.

Hello A really nice and unusual piece. I don't think I've ever seen a Third Reich made 1914 EK like this before.

Hello Thanks for the information on the book. I liked what I could see in the sample pages you show in the other thread, so I've just ordered a copy via Amazon.de. Oh, and thanks to a forum member I finally obtained a copy of the booklet on 57 pattern German awards that you did with Jamie Cross.

Hello Many thanks for that Gordon. I have seen the plastic cases with just foam inserts on a couple of occasions, but never seen the base insert as in this one before - which is why I was so uncertain about it. Thanks for clearing that up and for the information.

Hello I don't know if this helps this debate, but below is a black and white picture of a combined Pilots and Observers badge in gold with diamonds from page 174 of John R Angolias 'For Fuhrer and Fatherland - Military Awards Of The Third Reich', 3rd edition and some accompanying text.

The case. Any one any ideas on this ? Is it a repro case ? A generic type case ? Or what ?

Side view

Hello I've just received this 57 version of the DKiS. This one has the enamelled red ring under the wreath as opposed to the painted one. Hollow rivets, and overall of pretty reasonable quality. It looks much better 'in the hand' than in my photos, (the daylight is fading fast here in the UK). Although not advertised / sold as being with a case, it arrived in a strange plastic box, which has a foam insert in the lid and sort of artifical fibre type base (?). From the imprint in the case the DK has clearly been in it for a while. Does anyone have any ideas on the box ? As usual, any comments or observations welcomed.

Hello Thanks for the comments Joe. Quality wise it will depend on whether you compare the really early 57 items against the 39 versions, or even the 1914 ones. Generally I'd venture to say that the quality, in the main, was better on the 1914 EKs than the 39 or 57, even the 57 pieces using left over wartime frames or the same WW2 dies that produced the 39's like this one. The photos don't really do this justice - 'in the hand' it looks pretty much as it's 1939 counterpart. I wonder if the difference in quality, (1914 against the 39 and 57's), has anything to do with the different metals used, e.g. real silver v neusilber ?

Hello I've just received this 57 EK2. Magnetic core and three piece construction. The maker mark on the ring isn't legible, but close examination reveals this to be a Deumer made piece. Among other identifiers, is the classic Deumer die flaw on the upper arm of the cross. As usual, any comments or observations welcomed.

Hello From what I can see in the photos it looks like a good one to me.

Hello The only 'awards' that I have ever seen documented to animals, such as messenger dogs, were unofficial 'home made' items which the troops gave to the animal for services rendered. I've never seen or heard of an actual EK being awarded to an animal - which of course doesn't mean it didn't happen, but I would find it unlikely. However, some of the things that go on in times of war are strange, to say the least !!

Hello Despite the fact it looks like someone has got carried away polishing the back of this KVK, it looks to me like a good original Descher made piece. The hinge, pin and catch match to known originals, as does the front, e.g. wreath, swords etc.

Hello A very nice pair of medal bars. While the awards all look good from what can be seen in the photo, with the exception of the EKs and KVKs I don't know enough about the awards to know if they should all go together on the same bar. But to me they look good. Nice !!

Hello From what I can see in the photos, it looks like a nice set you have there. Are any of them maker marked ?