My first new EK1

[Gumbas]

Hello,
Finally my baby arrived (in one piece). I had post it on the forum before http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=134460 , but I got new High Resolution pictures after I cleaned the cross with tooth paste!

I'm still unsure as who made it, perhaps with this new images you could help.

[eindecker2]

The frame looks like a Souval piece, is the center magnetic - looks like a brass core to me...But a nice looking cross

[atcase]

Hi Gumbas,
is that a pimple i see in the centre of the 12 o`clock arm ??? this would make more towards a piece manufactured by Orth (who used Souval beading) as shown here.
Ashley

[Gumbas]

Hi Gumbas,
is that a pimple i see in the centre of the 12 o`clock arm ??? this would make more towards a piece manufactured by Orth (who used Souval beading) as shown here.
Ashley

Hello,
nope is not a pimple.
Its just the light...

[Gumbas]

Was this normal, that they used brass with iron on original EK1 crosses

[DavidM]

Hello

There are quite a few known examples of EK1s, manufactured and issued between 1939 - 1945, with brass cores. Most reference books on the Iron Cross mention these and often show examples with brass cores. The popular story is that they were made for naval personnel as the brass didn't rust in the salt air at sea. However, most authorities on these items doubt that story and feel that it is more likely due to the availability of metals during the war rather than anything else - but no one can say either way for certain.

Either way your cross is a nice original example of an EK1 with a known variant, the brass core.

Regards
David