With all the PlM discussions that continue to be popular and with the many questions of fakes and copies, this thread shows the Steinhauer & Lück Pour le Merite. Some count it as a 'copy' while others count it a legitimate post WWII government sanctioned piece much in the same way the TR '57 awards are considered actual awards but post war.
Not much is known about when Steinhauer & Lück began to manufacture this piece but all indications are that it was at the same time the 1957 pieces came out. Imperial pieces, from what I understand, were not part of the '57 laws but still were requested and manufactured by S&L.
This syle of PlM has become known as the S&L PlM and collectors call it the '57 er PlM although that is probably not accurate in the truest sense. Forum member Tim Tezer points out that a near identical piece was produced by Klein of Hanau but I have not been able to find one or distinguish between the two. Two named awards exist and bear this style: Otto Hersing's at the U-Boot Archive and Ernst Junger's at Haus Wildfingen. Given that each vet survived the war for some time (Junger was the last PlM recipient to die - 1998), it is entirely possible that their awards were likely S&Ls or less likely but possibly Kleins. Hersing's has some slight variation making a Klein possible.
Below is a study of an S&L. It measures 53mm x 53mm and weighs 26 grams. The ribbon is very high quality but measures 45mm vice the 55mm+ on wartime and Weimar period pieces. A Godet style medal and ribbon is compared below. The enamel workmanship is far superior to any post war fake on the market. The color is a paler blue than the Godets and the style is very much like a Wagner. The baroque style loop is crude by comparison though. The piece is bronze-gilt and solid. Hence, the eagles are filed from the solid piece, giving tool marks along the sides of the cross. Enjoy and other S&L posting are welcome. Steve
Not much is known about when Steinhauer & Lück began to manufacture this piece but all indications are that it was at the same time the 1957 pieces came out. Imperial pieces, from what I understand, were not part of the '57 laws but still were requested and manufactured by S&L.
This syle of PlM has become known as the S&L PlM and collectors call it the '57 er PlM although that is probably not accurate in the truest sense. Forum member Tim Tezer points out that a near identical piece was produced by Klein of Hanau but I have not been able to find one or distinguish between the two. Two named awards exist and bear this style: Otto Hersing's at the U-Boot Archive and Ernst Junger's at Haus Wildfingen. Given that each vet survived the war for some time (Junger was the last PlM recipient to die - 1998), it is entirely possible that their awards were likely S&Ls or less likely but possibly Kleins. Hersing's has some slight variation making a Klein possible.
Below is a study of an S&L. It measures 53mm x 53mm and weighs 26 grams. The ribbon is very high quality but measures 45mm vice the 55mm+ on wartime and Weimar period pieces. A Godet style medal and ribbon is compared below. The enamel workmanship is far superior to any post war fake on the market. The color is a paler blue than the Godets and the style is very much like a Wagner. The baroque style loop is crude by comparison though. The piece is bronze-gilt and solid. Hence, the eagles are filed from the solid piece, giving tool marks along the sides of the cross. Enjoy and other S&L posting are welcome. Steve
Thanks Steve.
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