EK 1870 My First Ever 1870 EK

[DavidM]

Hello

I have just taken delivery of my first ever 1870 EK. This is an 1870 EK2. It measures 42.13mm across by 42.04mm high. Three piece construction, with magnetic iron centre. The eye on the top arm is attached at the rear, but not at the front - and as far as I can tell it doesn't look like it ever was.

I posted pictures from the dealers site of this cross in an earlier thread and got thumbs up. Hopefully, with these pictures, it will still get a thumbs up !!

As usual, any comments or observations welcome.

Thanks for looking.

Edited August 22, 2006 by DavidM

[DavidM]

Rear of 1870 EK2

[DavidM]

Hello

No one got any thoughts or comments on this one?

Btt

[Gordon Williamson]

Nothing to worry about here David, its a good original piece.

[DavidM]

Hello

Thanks Gordon. Now to find an 1870 EK1.

[Gordon Williamson]

If you fancy dropping over ?3000 on a nice Wagner 1870 EK1, Weitze has just got one in.

[Paul R]

David,

That is a beautiful example. I would like to add one to my collection, some day.

[Daniel Murphy]

David,

I'm glad you were able to get it. Now you just need a NC and a mounted one and some minis and.....there you go down that slippery slope. Been there done that.

[stevo4361]

Brilliant cross David! Congrats on a great score, a necessary addition to any EK collection!

Kind Regards,

Steve

[DavidM]

Hello

Thanks to all for their comments. As for that slippery slope, I think I am already well down that now - but enjoying every minute of it !!

[Chris Boonzaier]

A question,

Would i be correct in saying this is a later piece? original, but not made in the 1870's?

I always think of the 1870 made crosses as having cast cores with higher sharper relief and later pieces as with WW1 crosses, having a slightly lower, rounded relief to the core details?

Ditto with the black finish, seems more WW1 like than on most 1870 I have seen which I always think of as a more matt black.

Am not an 1870 collector, but noticed this on the 1870 crosses that I have had in the past.

[Gordon Williamson]

Here are my 1870s. The first three EK2s from left all have the very sharp core details and matt black (chemical rather than paint ?) finish and I believe to be of the period.

The NK one to extreme right however is what I have always considered a much later piece from the Jubilee or after, but still has the same sharp core and matt blackened rather than painted finish, so I don't think these features in themselves necessarily indicate early manufacture.

Of course with them being made officially from 1870 right through to 1945, exact date of manufacture on some pieces can always be a matter of conjecture, but I'd be happy to own the piece that David has.

[Chris Boonzaier]

, but I'd be happy to own the piece that David has.

So would I ... and you can send me yours as well so it does not feel lonely here by me... ;-)