EK 1914 odd "clutch back" ek1

[Eric Stahlhut]

here's one that i got today.... a heavily tarnished, uncleaned and very odd specimen. extremely high vault, and rear plate is stamped '800'. core is bronze or brass, and i can't tell yet what material the front frame is made of--the tarnish makes the highlights on the beading look brassy.

the retaining pins are very similar to the pins used for US-style clutch fasteners, and it's very difficult to tell if there was ever a regular pin/hinge/catch assembly affixed to the piece, as the varying shades of tarnish have hidden any signs of buffing.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-4736-0-02574400-1339891761.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-4736-0-51286200-1339891779.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-4736-0-90543800-1339891796.jpg

[gregM]

I've never seen this style of attachment used on Eks.

[Eric Stahlhut]

the other odd thing is that the rear frame is not perfectly flat---it has impressions in the center of each cross arm--sort of like a very faint "reverse pillow back"

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-4736-0-19183800-1339892090.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-4736-0-88558200-1339892155.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-4736-0-63173500-1339892216.jpg

Edited June 17, 2012 by Eric Stahlhut

[gregM]

If it were not for the 800 silver stamp, I would say it was made

for the 60's biker market.---that may still be a posibility

[Eric Stahlhut]

hiya greg,

i kind of doubt that, as it's construction fits all of the criteria for a period-made iron cross (44mm and 3-piece, with a nonmagnetic core, etc etc.) the only weird thing about it is the fastening design.

who knows for sure how it was used-- i dunno, but it's definitely a curiosity, though!

[saschaw]

My best guess is it's rather not a cross ment to be worn but as some kind of patriotic device... but who can know for sure. Odd one anyway!