fake?

[EuRob]

Hello fellas

I got this item this morning. I think it is a fake. It looks good, obverse and reverse, the ribbon looks very old too, but then when you look at the edge!!

To quote Military History Journal-vol 1 no3 T.E. Sole South African Military History Society.....

...There are in existence privately minted copies of the medal in various metals which, apart from slight differences in design, do not bear the name Schultz on the obverse. On genuine medals his name appears in minute letters on the truncation of the bust of Germania.

http://rapidttp.com/milhist/vol013ts.html

Could I indeed have one of these? If so is that an out&out fake?

Opinions from members more clued up than myself would be gratefully recieved.

Thanks

Rob

[EuRob]

I also think that the ribbon isnt wide enough as it is 25mm and I believe it should be 35mm?

[Stogieman]

25mm ribbon was used for mounting on medal bars and occassionally ribbon bars as well, pre-1915. Does the ribbon glow?

[Guest Rick Research]

"After market" replacements from the 1920s+ were struck, not cast. That is a fake. Send it back.

[Guest Brian von Etzel]

Fake yes, here is an original with many differences. Were there more than one type?

[EuRob]

Fake yes, here is an original with many differences. Were there more than one type?

Thanks Guys

You confirmed what I thought, hate it when I get a dud!!

Anyway I will send it back

Rob

[Schießplatzmeister]

Dear EuRob:

Your piece is counterfeit as pointed-out by others. What is interesting is that the seam on the edge is a tell-tale sign of an electrotype (although I can't be 100% certain without a first-hand visual inspection). I have run into many older electrotype copies of Imperial German medals on the market. Some of them are of rather common medals such as this. I do not think these are made recently as there are cheaper ways to make superb castings with today's technology. See Andreas Schulze-Ising's excellent article regarding electrotypes at www.medalnet.net. Good luck finding a genuine issued piece. As these medals are becoming more popular, copies are to be found in abundance (not to mention the campaign bars that are appearing!). Send this one back as fast as you can!

Best regards,

"SPM"