Karltruppenkreuz

[Alex K]

Hi I've recently acquired the attached Karltruppenkreuz, It wasn't expensive, but any ideas as to it's authenticity?

any help appreciated

regards

Alex

Edited June 15, 2013 by Alex K

[Guest Rick Research]

I don't know why anyone would fake a KTK. The only thing odd I see is that it has the German type smal ring and large ring suspension and not a ring stamped on the top arm with a jump ring to a 3rd ring to hook into.

Edited June 15, 2013 by Rick Research

[Alex K]

Hi Rick, thanks for the reply, the comments you made, made me wonder as to the authenticity. If it's a fake then it's another one for the trashcan, fortunately I've not lost a fortune

regards

[Gordon Craig]

Rick,

Welcome back! I hope you are back for good.

Regards,

Gordon

[Guest Rick Research]

I hope so Gordon!

Alex: no reason to think it is BAD, simply ODD. Look on the edge for a hallmark, or on the ring inside the ribbon. If it is GERMAN made, as I suspect, then it is certainly a Third Reich era piece--and maybe earlier and a rare ? Austrian variety.

I've had these in many style over the years, all in a far better zinc than Germans used--and yours looks like that superior Austrian alloy. It doesn't corrode to white powder.

[Peter J]

Hi Rick,

Here's another 1916 zinc cross without any jumpring, nothing special at all. I curious to hear your thoughts about the 2nd cross, a 1813/14 issue in buntmetall.

[Alex K]

Hi I've had very close look at the sides and the suspension ring, no visible markings and no signs of file marks which I may have expected with a cheap casting, so I'll hold my breath, thanks all for your input

[Iver]

...the second cross is no 1813 issue, but Army Cross 1813/14 (so called "Kanonenkreuz")... The zink one is Karl Troops Cross (Karl Truppenkreuz).. so no issue, but a different decoration

[Peter J]

Thanks Iver, much appreciated info