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Custom made DKiG ( wartime conversion )

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    Custom made DKiG ( wartime conversion )

    Hi gentlemen,

    I only had two dark and blurry pictures when I purchased this, so was a gamble.
    Now - holding in had - it looks like the gamble paid off

    I now have what seems to be a custom made conversion of a wartime Zimmermann (20) DKiG to a screw-back 1957 DKiG.
    It seems to have the "9" flaw in the date as well as the 11 o'clock star-burst flaw, similar rivets, etc.
    On the back, the hinge & catch have been ground away and a screw has been inserted.

    Front side, underneath the EK, you can still the the holes drilled which once accommodated the swastika.
    On the back, the owner drilled three additional holes ... one with the screw wire and two to rivet in the EK.

    Too bad the owner ground very rudely on the backside and most likely heavily polished the badge, as the copper colour is peaking through.

    Never mind all that, its - IMO - a more then unique DKiG which fits well into my collection .

    Feel free to comment and discuss

    Grtz
    Mathijs
    Attached Files

    #2
    Date flaw and 11 o'clock flaw ... which is found on wartime "20" DKiG.
    Attached Files

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      #3
      Some shots of the EK on top ....
      Attached Files

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        #4
        The oak-leaves ... polished to show the brass colour beneath ...
        Attached Files

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          #5
          Over to the back side now ...
          Attached Files

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            #6
            Crude removal of the hinge & catch ... no idea why this was done ... perhaps damage and easier to make a screw-back piece ???
            Attached Files

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              #7
              Screw ... screw wire is also riveted tightly to the back ....
              Attached Files

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                #8
                Intact rivets on the side ... also good view of the additional holes drilled to rivet in the EK from front side ....
                Attached Files

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                  #9
                  Last ones .... although difficult to capture, the DK is heavily vaulted ..... .

                  Thanks for looking,
                  Mathijs
                  Attached Files

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                    #10
                    Hi Mathijs!!
                    I thought you might be onto something a little special when i saw those couple of pics you mentioned!!!
                    It looks to me like it is indeed a converted wartime piece? I can't claim to know much about the wartime makers and variants, but you've obviouly done your "homework" and the flaws you mention are clearly there!!!
                    Is the "EK" part one of the standard S&L variants?? I wonder if he got hold of just this part for the conversion, or dis-assembled a whole 57er?? That is if he did it himself, could have been one of several possibilities i guess!!
                    Very interesting how this was done, and that he opted for a screwback fastening device!! I would love to know who owned this one, and the story behind it!!!
                    Its certainly a unique piece, and ideal for your DK collection Mathijs!!!
                    Great catch!!!!!!!
                    -Nigeldrinks.gif
                    sigpic 57ers...."The Devil Is In The Detail"

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                      #11
                      Hi Mathijs,

                      I'm at work so I only have a moment and will comment more later this evening when I've had a better opportunity to look the cross over thoroughly, but I did want to say CONGRATULATIONS on a beautiful and unique cross! Your "gamble" certainly paid off in a BIG way!

                      More later...

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                        #12
                        Hi Mathijs,

                        "Custom Made" is certainly the perfect caption for this piece. Wonder why,what seems like, he practically destroyed (or maybe another word might be better suited) his wartime cross instead of keeping it and purchasing a 57 version. A lot of questions and probably no answers close to what really happened.

                        Regards
                        Rudy

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                          #13
                          A fantastic piece that I would also love to have in my collection.

                          Bob Hritz
                          In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.

                          Duct tape can't fix stupid, but it can muffle the sound.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by Bob Hritz View Post
                            A fantastic piece that I would also love to have in my collection.

                            Bob Hritz
                            Copy THAT Bob! And ME too!

                            Mathijs, thanks for sharing this one a kind DK with us! It's got that TR mystique, but without the Swastika. It's got the best of both worlds. The obverse has just enough wear to make it look like a combat vet. I see your point about the crudely ground reverse, but when you're displaying it, you don't see that. You only see the beautifully aged front side. I really like this one Mathijs!

                            I like the way Nigel's mind works. Did the guy destroy a legit 57er DK to make this??? And then also to thoughts of the owner and the DK's history. Nice.

                            Rudy, I know the few awards I've earned over the years all have special sentimental value to me. It could be that the vet simply wanted his original cross to wear until his dying day.

                            Thanks again Mathijs! This one is a real treat!

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Add me to the list with you guys! I love it.

                              Originally posted by Bob Hritz View Post
                              A fantastic piece that I would also love to have in my collection.

                              Bob Hritz

                              Comment

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