KO = Jakob Kling ?

[gregM]

For years we have been debating who the maker of KO crosses might be.
Current thinking is that KO is Klein Quenzer of Oberstein.

I would like to propose that it might be Jakob Kling.

While searching an upcoming auction, I came across this very interesting
lot. It is described as ---"30x ww1 Iron cross 2nd class in Original Manufactures
Delivery Box. Medals are marked 'KO' to the rings, all in their original wrapping
paper and complete with ribbons"

As you can see, the box is plainly marked "Jakob Kling, Mannheim"
I have contacted the auction house requesting more pictures of any other
markings that might be on the box and/ or if the wrapping papers are marked.

So--Let the debate begin.

[rbminis]

Well spotted Greg!
Can't wait to see what comes of this.
Ralph.

[otter76]

The box says Goldwarenfabrik und Grosshandlung, so given they were wholesalers there is a strong possibility Klein Quenzer sold to them these Eks. I still believe Wernitz has a pretty strong case with his research on the KO debate

[gregM]

The box says Goldwarenfabrik und Grosshandlung, so given they were wholesalers there is a strong possibility Klein Quenzer sold to them these Eks.

I agree, that is one possibility

[joelhall]

Saw this myself recently, but assumed King had simply provided the shipping containers as they handled logistics.

[joelhall]

This thread popped up a couple of years ago, but doesn't seem to shed much more light.
http://gmic.co.uk/topic/65139-the-ko-debate-revived/

[otter76]

I agree, that is one possibility

Moreover Spezialitäten does not say Orden und Ehrenzeihen, so given the millions KO that were produced, there is a chance they would have been distributors with their own packaging

[tompress]

Jakob Kling was never mentioned as Iron Cross maker. Even the label says nothing about manufacturing of medals or decorations. But he was for sure a wholesale distributor for jewellery, rings, chains etc. - and during the war also for military decorations.

Klein & Quenzer was well known as big manufacturer of Iron Crosses 1914, both in Generalordenskommission documents, as well in works history. K&Q has produced about one million crosses during the WW1. None other maker made so huge quantity, and KO is most common manufacturers mark.

regards
Tomasz

[Green]

At first a very interesting thread and a great find

GregM..... thanks for sharing

I also think Jakob Kling was a wholesaler and that Klein Quenzer possibility sold them these Eks. Indeed the letters on the box speaks for themselves IMO.
For me is this a little step further in my research to the Iron cross ...never saw this sort of package before.

[gregM]

I won't say that I was not kind of excited when I found this but the more I thought about it,
the more I came to realize that it really does not proof anything.

IMO we will never really know who made KO crosses until we find that lost
sales catalog or printed advertisement or something.