EK 1870 Another odd 1870 EK1?

[Stogieman]

When I saw the very first picture of this cross I was interested and even a little excited.

eBay # 250251368917

But when I saw the images of the back...... hmmmm sure looks like some chemical applied to patina the cross. If you look at the actual item, he does not show a picture of the reverse with the pin vixsible, so I suspect there is an issue with the pin as well. The catch sure doesn't look like any I have ever seen on a period cross of this age.

The detail to the front and the crispness of the core is a little scary...

Is this a new copy?

Or is it a very dirty original?

[Stogieman]

Reverse. Additional images by looking at the seller's listing

[joe campbell]

i appreciate your concerns here.

don't like the patina on the reverse

much at all...

and the hinge i don't think merits

an 1870 original. late 30's, early 40's???

BUT!

the obverse causes me little suspicion,

and is either a scary good fake or a

very well preserved original (NOT 1870

original, but pre 1945...)

joe

[gregM]

I agree with Steve in that the hinge and pin do not look 1870ish. They look almost TR style to me.

Another thing that looks off is the frame beading. The wide, heavy beading looks very much like

the beading found on the Latvian crosses that have been all over ebay the last couple years.

Here is the common Latvian fake for comparison-------

Edited May 25, 2008 by gregM

[gregM]

Here is a link to a discussion about another one like the one posted by Rick.

http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/sho...ad.php?t=290403

Notice how the have tried to upgrade this cross with both 800 silver stamp and a

TR era "21" makers mark.

[Stogieman]

.... and that is probably why the pin has been hidden. First glance the front looks very good.... but flip it over and all sorts of questions arose for me....

[joe campbell]

i think greg's picture comparing

ridges does it for me....

moderately scary to see these pieces.

joe

[Alex K]

I agree the hinge attachment is decidedly dodgy in my opinion, not from 1870 series.

Alex K