EK 1914 Turkish made Iron Crosses 1914

[saschaw]

Dear Gentlemen,

Does anyone of you know something about Turkish made "Eiserne Kreuze" from WWI?

I have one that I don't believe to be of German origin,

but first: does some one know about these?

[Tim Tezer]

While theoretically possible, I've never seen one, either in person or in any of the books such as Geissler, Bowen, etc. Considering that Turkish War Medals ('Eiserner Halbmond') were being made in Germany for issue by the Turkish Government, it seems unlikely that any maker in Turkey had the capacity to mass produce Iron Crosses. Unless it's got some markings on it that indicate Turkish manufacture, I wouldn't see any reason to come to that conclusion.

Tim

Edited August 23, 2006 by Tim Tezer

[saschaw]

Thanks for your fast answer, Tim.

 

Tim Tezer said:

unlikely that any maker in Turkey had the capacity to mass produce Iron Crosses.

Well, did I speak of "mass production"?

 

 

Here shown is an EK II that belonged to Ottoman Marshall O. Liman von Sanders. Of course I cannot say sure if it is his awarded piece or one he later bought, but at least it belonged to him. He's been in Turkey for five years, 1913-1918. This does NOT prove the EK having been made in Turkey, but it might be, as I've seen by now exactly one other piece with this, honestly said, ugly iron core. The frame, by the way, is of god quality.

 

The other one I've seen by know was on a large medalbar of a German Officer who also was awarded the Silver Lyakat Medal, so, might I think, has been to Turkey in the war also.

 

Avers of the Iron Cross:

 

Edited April 24, 2023 by saschaw

[saschaw]

And the reverse of Liman von Sanders' EK II:

 

Edited April 24, 2023 by saschaw

[saschaw]

And the very nice medal bar with a EK of the same maker, isn't it?

 

First sold on Ebay to DN, then sold by DN (which I lend the picture from):

 

Edited April 24, 2023 by saschaw

[joe campbell]

bad case of crown warp on your EK, however.....

without some clearcut markings, i think it's

difficult to attribute manufacture of this EK

to a non-german company.

joe

[Chris Boonzaier]

There are many, many German made EKs with terrible details on the core.

There was no LDO to control this back then.

Maybe a boxful of EKs by this company landed up with the german troops in the region and that is why they are found in groups?

[saschaw]

Well, your arguments don't sound bad, there were really ugly EKs (ever seen a KO closeup? I think you did), but I still "believe" my story, even though I will never be able to prove the EK's Turkish origin (how should I, it seems impossilbe) ...

 

If they only could speak.

 

 

 

What's the German "Sprichwort"?

"Der Glaube ist des Menschen Himmelreich ... "

 

Edited April 24, 2023 by saschaw

[Chris Boonzaier]

Here is my thought....

If the Turks had so many awards made outside of Turkey, would they even try and make an award as complicated as the EK2? Core, rims, putting it together etc.... Its a looot of work...

Best

Chrs

[saschaw]

Have to agree.... today. ;o)