EK 1914 Tri-fold ribbon EK2

[Jason]

Good evening gents, picked up this EK2 this week as a part exchange...nothing spectacular, but it appealed to me as a nice example. Crisp detail, with KAG stamped on the ring. Also being on a tri-fold ribbon makes it appealing!

cheers

Jason

Edited December 13, 2006 by Jason

[Jason]

reverse

[Paul R]

I like that particular mounting type as well...

The silver seems to be recently polished?

[joe campbell]

very nice addition, jason!

the "austrian" trifold is one

of my favorite configuration.

joe

[hunyadi]

Very nice EK - but I have a bad feeling about the trifold being of a more recent manufacture. The eylet and the wire prong look to be of the type found on modern 'replacement' ribbons. I have seen quite a few of these at the local military show. A guy has bags full of them for $5 each. the white does not glow under black light though. Still - its a nice set and worhty of display. For comparison here is what I believe to be a WW1 - WW2 ear ribbon. Notice the ring and the wire prong.

[hunyadi]

compare this with a replacement ribbon that I got from the guy at the show for a rather gorund dug item...

[hunyadi]

the one I got was put on wrong - but he also makes them the correct way as well - here is a shot of the inside...

[Ulsterman]

I believe he also sells them on ebay. He is my source for replacement austrian trifolds.

[Stogieman]

Hi Jason, I'd have to agree... looks like a newer one. Ask The (Truly) Evil Twin? AKA Rick Research to post his. he has a darn near flawless, period-made trifold.

[Guest Rick Research]

It took me almost 30 years to get one though. EVERY single one I had ever previously ordered--Manion's or sales catalogs:

always arrived with new ribbons.

Which are always too small. The Austrian ribbon should be 40mm side to side horizontally, making for a much larger diagonal appearance.

FINALLY got this beauty from Paul C last year, so I can cross it off my Forever List:

The ring maker is "FW" if that means anything to the maker mark collectors. I dunno, me.

[Riley1965]

Guys,

I have one Prussian EK2 on standard ribbon and it's a really poor piece. How available are these tri-fold EK2s?

Doc

[gregM]

here is another one for your approval.

A clean, maker marked Godet on a 40mm ribbon

Edited December 14, 2006 by gregM

[gregM]

Soory for the small picture--I can not figure out the new system for posting

pictures and it seems that my post size has been down sized.

[Riley1965]

Greg,

That's a BEAUTY !!! Guys I'm HOOKED on these tri-fold EK2s!!! I have to find one

Doc

[gregM]

2nd try

[Jason]

Thanks for the comments gents - the return policy at the shop will be utilised tomorrow!

cheers

Jason

[ksg]

Love the folded ribbons !

Kjell

[joe campbell]

a bit newer version...

Edited December 22, 2006 by joe campbell

[joe campbell]

..

[Riley1965]

Guys, A little help, PLEASE. What is the significance of these tri-fold EKs? Is it a country's way to award/display them? A matter of personal taste? This arena is not my strong point. Any information would be appreciated.

Doc

[hunyadi]

The trifold is a common design of ribbon for the Austrio Hungarian Armies as well as the Yugoslavian and I also belive Bulgarian (?) Probably some others - but predominantly the AH empire. One major factor that these become rare are - 1) Its a Prussian (German Award) - so it clasifies as a 'foreign' award. 2) The tri-fold would be worn - uniforms simply have long loops sewn to the tunic and the ribbon and medal can be hung - no big need to make a medal bar. Also you can wear all of your medals and in some respects it more convenient for storage in the closet - so the medals hang there for years - the ribbons then get worn more often and as a result - they get damaged more often - and they become more rare as the years go on. For AH awards - its easy to find the medals - original ribbons are the tough part - and the "aftermarket" business has taken off....