Ek1 1914 opinions

[Jonas E]

What are your opinions about this?

[BlackcowboyBS]

Is it a Cast? And what should KMS1 with the "1" mirror inverted should be? I have never seen this as a makers mark before, I am not an expert for Iron Crosses but I wouldn't buy it. Lets see what the experts say. 

Edited February 11, 2021 by BlackcowboyBS

[Eric Stahlhut]

it looks good to me and is certainly in remarkable condition. the hallmark is correct and is the first style--'St' is for stuttgart--

[BlackcowboyBS]

4 hours ago, Eric Stahlhut said:

 the hallmark is correct and is the first style--'St' is for stuttgart--

Thanks, there is allways something to learn here. 

[Chris Boonzaier]

I think these are usually the highest level of desirability... but the lettering bothers me.... did they also stamp the name in? All the KMST I had (grand total of 2 ) had raised lettering, not stamped in?

 

Like this one.....

It may be a variation I do not know, but I would be weary....

[Eric Stahlhut]

Chris, you did not do a deep enough search on gmic, there have been plenty of these posted in the past...

...I'll take as many of these as I can get in any kind of fastener configuration!

[Chris Boonzaier]

14 minutes ago, Eric Stahlhut said:

Chris, you did not do a deep enough search on gmic, there have been plenty of these posted in the past...

...I'll take as many of these as I can get in any kind of fastener configuration!

I retract then... I did not know the name was also stamped in... ?

[Eric Stahlhut]

i like this one but am too lazy to dig it out

 

 

[OvBacon]

I probably don't actually have anything useful to add to this thread but hell, I'll still add it. I love the EK because of it's elegant simplicity and I think it is one of the reasons it's image has kept a fascination even in modern society. I have 4 EK's but they are all of way simpler minds and less costly because as a business owner I can not rationalize spending to much on a "hobby" sadly. 

But to the point... the above is probably the most elegant fastening system I've ever seen on an EK. I did not know the maker or the sheer beauty of the "back" of this type of EK1. So thank you guys for showing that not only the front is stunning but that sometimes the back is even better.

[Eric Stahlhut]

yep!

back to jonas' cross--hard to upgrade that one given the condition, that's for sure!

[gregM]

The textured finish to the reverse of the cross and on the mousetrap look odd

to me.  It's almost like they have been sand blasted but that might very well just

be an effect of the lighting in the photo.  

 

As for the details of the cross itself,  everything looks spot on. Also, I would

trust Eric's opinion on these as I think he has handled mor KMST crosses that anyone

I can think of. 

[Eric Stahlhut]

hiya greg, hope all is well!

about the cast appearance that both you and blackcowboybs brought up--it's the original finish!

these crosses had some type of phosphate/? layer put on over the frames in order to protect from tarnishing and also increase wear resistance. the casted appearance comes from bead blasting before the "parkerization-type" chemical bath, producing a surface that is irregular on a microscopic scale.

below is an example that has not aged as gracefully as jonas' example, but still has the original finish intact. please note  a wear spot to the right of the catch assembly where the base metal of the silver frame is showing

sorta like the rhodium 'frosting' on ww2-era pieces

 

 

 

Edited February 14, 2021 by Eric Stahlhut

[gregM]

Good explanation . Thanks Eric.

[Jonas E]

Thank you for all the input. I bought it on an auction because I wanted an Iron Cross. I normally collect Swedish orders and medals so it was kind of a gamble to buy it as I have little knowledge about Iron Crosses.

[Chris Boonzaier]

1 hour ago, Jonas E said:

Thank you for all the input. I bought it on an auction because I wanted an Iron Cross. I normally collect Swedish orders and medals so it was kind of a gamble to buy it as I have little knowledge about Iron Crosses.

It looks like you are the guy who bought one Lottery ticket in life and hit the jackpot... I may be missing out on other variants... but now the originality is cleared... I think this may be one of the top 2 or 3 Iron Cross variations out there?

[Jonas E]

I decided to sell it. It's better if it belongs to someone who collects Iron crosses.

 

https://www.ratisbons.com/42nd-contemporary-history-auction/1914-iron-cross-1st-class-on-screw-back-kmst-variant-mint.html

[BlackcowboyBS]

Another piece could be bid on here: https://www.hermann-historica.de/de/auctions/lot/id/270826

 

If you love to get one.

[OTTER76]

On 19/04/2021 at 10:25, Jonas E said:

I decided to sell it. It's better if it belongs to someone who collects Iron crosses.

 

https://www.ratisbons.com/42nd-contemporary-history-auction/1914-iron-cross-1st-class-on-screw-back-kmst-variant-mint.html

You hit jackpot with Klaus. Congrats

[Eric Stahlhut]

Nice cross, but wow....$5780..... never in my dreams!

[Jonas E]

Well.. This was insane. Someone really wanted this cross.

[Peter Cornwell]

Extreme rarity and mint condition but even so ? The only thing lacking on that beauty was 800 stamps. For sure, some collectors will now be revising their home insurance estimates.

[Alex K]

Unfortunately, collectors and dealers will now most probably take that as a benchmark, interesting future for those who collect ek's

[OTTER76]

On 03/05/2021 at 03:46, Peter Cornwell said:

Extreme rarity and mint condition but even so ? The only thing lacking on that beauty was 800 stamps. For sure, some collectors will now be revising their home insurance estimates.

Someone cashing out bitcoins

[Chris Boonzaier]

Wow.... wow..... wow......

[Peter Cornwell]

EU2400 plus buyer's commission is a lot cheaper than what the earlier Ratisbons auction cross made but still quite a premium. And this was a better cross IMO although not as pristine.