Oldenburg FA Cross....ORIGINAL?

[M Hunter]

Gents,

I have never seen one with a suspension ring like this.

Is this an original cross? Seller states it to be non-magnetic.

Best wishes

Matt

[M Hunter]

The cross does not appear to be smooth either...kind of "lumpy" in places.

What do you make of it?

Thanks

Matt

[Schießplatzmeister]

Hello Matt:

The standard awarded early war crosses were made of iron and were magnetic. This piece looks to be made from "war metal" or aluminum possibly. The suspension is either a repair or the suspension was made in this fashion, but it deviates 90 degrees from the suspension on awarded pieces. Yes, the finish is irregular which is from a poor paint application or flaws in the piece itself (possibly from casting?). The arms are stippled which was not a feature of awarded pieces (but has been known on later replacement pieces).

Although this may be a late war or post war private purchase piece, with so many original awarded iron pieces out there, I would pass on this one.

Best regards,

"SPM"

Edited September 15, 2009 by Schiessplatzmeister

[M Hunter]

Hello Matt:

The standard awarded early war crosses were made of iron and were magnetic. This piece looks to be made from "war metal" or aluminum possibly. The suspension is either a repair or the suspension was made in this fashion, but it deviates 90 degrees from the suspension on awarded pieces. Yes, the finish is irregular which is from a poor paint application or flaws in the piece itself (possibly from casting?). The arms are stippled which was not a feature of awarded pieces (but has been known on later replacement pieces).

Although this may be a late war or post war private purchase piece, with so many original awarded iron pieces out there, I would pass on this one.

Best regards,

"SPM"

Thanks SPM. I think i will pass on this one!

Kind regards

Matt

[M Hunter]

Hello Matt:

The standard awarded early war crosses were made of iron and were magnetic. This piece looks to be made from "war metal" or aluminum possibly. The suspension is either a repair or the suspension was made in this fashion, but it deviates 90 degrees from the suspension on awarded pieces. Yes, the finish is irregular which is from a poor paint application or flaws in the piece itself (possibly from casting?). The arms are stippled which was not a feature of awarded pieces (but has been known on later replacement pieces).

Although this may be a late war or post war private purchase piece, with so many original awarded iron pieces out there, I would pass on this one.

Best regards,

"SPM"

Thanks SPM. I think i will pass on this one!

Matt

[Claudius]

When someone told me that they are now faking Hindenburg Crosses, I believe they would fake anything. Why would you fake a common-enough medal like the FA 2nd class?

If real, it certainly would be an atypical example. Great for someone collecting FA crosses.