Sy Wagner EK1

[IrishGunner]

After doing a search, I see that Wagner crosses get all the attention here over Sy-Wagner crosses.  So, I thought I'd start a new thread...

These scans are the first with my new Epson; so, I'm still experimenting to get the best scans.

This one has a "7" on the reverse of the pin near the hinge.  Google search yields little about the number other than it's a common quality control mark.  That same Google search turned up a number "9" but not much else.  Also, not much out there about the Sy-Wagner firm itself other than being in Berlin.

 

[Brian R]

Nice cross. Sy & Wagner was one of the initial five makers authorized to produce government EKs between 1914 and 1916.

Edited November 15, 2015 by Brian R

[Chris Boonzaier]

Nice,

It may be because I am cheap, but some time ago I decided I would no longer buy Iron Cross 1st classes that were not pin back, no screw backs for me!... love pin backs to bits.

[chuck]

Brian, 

  I haven't collected any EK, and would like to start with presentation piece. Who where the 5 official makers at the start of the war of EK??

Chuck

[Brian R]

Chris - I agree that the pinbacks are nicer as well. As much as the screwbacks are cool, it's the standard pinbacks that were typically awarded (as opposed to private purchased). The original five were...

Sy & Wagner

Gebrüder Friedländer

Godet & Söhne

Johann Wagner & Söhne

J. H. Werner

All five makers were situated in Berlin.

 

[IrishGunner]

10 hours ago, Brian R said:

Nice cross. Sy & Wagner was one of the initial five makers authorized to produce government EKs between 1914 and 1916.

Without trying to read too much into your post, are you saying that Sy Wagner only produced EKs between 1914-1916?

 

This cross was one of my first medals, purchased even before I was really a militaria collector.  I bought it in the early 80s, most likely in Berlin itself at a flea market.  I don't have any idea how much I paid, but considering I was more of a coin collector at the time and newly married, it probably wasn't very much.  My new bride and I went to the flea market in Berlin almost every weekend and I bought this mostly as a "souvenir" of my time in Berlin.  I have an EK2 from that I bought around the same time that I'll put up next.

[Brian R]

No, the 1914-1916 dates speak to the initial period of production, when awards were produced by a selected group and done with high levels of silver. The list of makers expanded after 1916 as the war called for far more EK awards than what was initially expected.

 

I like the Berlin flea market anecdote. It's nice to have a story with our crosses, even if they are our own rather than that of the original recipients.