EK 1914 one-piece (cast) EK 2's

[joe campbell]

i bought a nice 5 place medal bar today at the raleigh show,

including the following:

1914 EK 2 - more on this later

Konig Ludwig Kreuz

1904-06 Sudwest Afrika medal

1898-1921 Rote Kreuz medal, 2nd Klasse

1897 Zentenarmadaille

bavarian style fold, green felt backing, professionally done bar.

BUT!

the EK 2 is a one piece cast affair. it is exquisitely cast.

my question is this:

i have heard - and have - a few of these, but would very much

like to know what resources there are about these, or what

information any of my EK collector friends can provide for me.

any thoughts/info is greatly appreciated!

joe

[gregM]

Is it cast or is it die struck?

I have a very nicely detailed EK2 that is die stamped Nuesilber

[joe campbell]

yes, i think die struck would be the more appropriate term.

so there are others.... any references? anyone else?

[Avitas]

Hi Joe,

I too have a mounted die-struck Imperial EK2 that is of extremely fine quality, and I thought it might have been silver but it is more likely it is neusilber after Greg pointed out that his was neusilber. Mine is discussed on this thread: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=7884

The consensus was that these were made in the 1920's and fairly scarce compared to other types of Ek2's. I would post pics but I can't right now due to the new upgrade on the site passing my tech requirements, but the pics are posted on the above-mentioned link. Does yours have the pebbled finish as well?

Cheers,

Pat

[gregM]

here is mine to compare against--

Edited January 9, 2007 by gregM

[PKeating]

The strike quality of these 'ersatz' or 'economy' EK2s is indeed very sharp compared to some of the tradition crosses. I have a couple: an unfinished one showing the sharpness of the details to advantage and a nice EF example. Either made in the last year of the war or in the early 1920s. Here are a couple of old snapshots of the unfinished example next to a "KO", which was one of the best of the wartime crosses in terms of strike quality, before the dies began to wear out.

PK

[joe campbell]

gentlemen-

thanks for your pictures and reference threads!

these are indeed generally quite well done pieces,

as evidenced by the examples seen here.

if anyone has more pictures, please post them,

and again, if someone has any reference material

including mention of them, please let me know.

thanks!

joe

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo Gentlemen,

could I trouble you for your opinion on this piece, its an EK II one piece casting.

It weighs: 21 gram

Measures: 43 X 43mm not including the ribbon ?se mounts.

Painted black pebbled core (the paint job does not quite meet the edge of the silver rim.)

On the rear there is a fine line in the casting starting at the extreme right-hand edge of the crown, touch es the edge of the "W", follows along the right edge of the middke oakleaf and passes through the middle of the "3" in "1813" before continuing on down to the bottom rim

Any opinions welcome.

Front View:

Kevin in Deva

Edited January 9, 2007 by Kev in Deva

[Kev in Deva]

The Rear:

even at this size its possible to see the line that runes through the cross from top to bottom, mentioned in the post

Kevin in Deva

Edited January 9, 2007 by Kev in Deva

[PKeating]

That looks OK but could you post the reverse? Some of these were cast while others were struck.

Regards,

PK

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo PK,

I have uploaded the correct picture now, with regards the cross.

Kevin in Deva.

[Tom Y]

Here's one that's definitely cast. I've always considered it an old fake. Interestingly, it came on a very fragile 1813 type ribbon.

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo Gents

just a thought but is there any evidence to show that:

A. there were Jewelers copies* made of the 1914 EK II for people who did not wish to lose or damage their originals.

B. as oppossed to out and out FAKE items, I mean the WW1 EKII I & II Class were issued in the hundreds of thousands.

C. that cast or stamped one-piece were manufactured near the end of WW1. Post WW1, during WW2 or Post 1945.

The detail on the crosses posted is of a very good quality, and would have entailed some work, where as the faker has mostly, and admittedly not always, been shown up for sloppy hand-work on the smaller, finer details of the item.

Any info would be appriciated,

Kevin in Deva.

[Bill Garvy]

Here's a one-piece example. As you can see the detail is exquisite!

[Bill Garvy]

Here is the reverse. The ring is unmarked. . .

[Tom Y]

One piece in brass.

[joe campbell]

again, thanks for the numerous pictures!

kev's questions are basically the ones i am trying to seek

answers for, although i think the differences between these

legitimate one-piece affairs and on up to even the modern

one-piece repros allegedly from China still allow for clear

distinction.

there just seems so little info on them....

joe