EKII Spange Nightmare

[zambrotta11]

Hello everyone,

I recently showing my collection to a friend and I moved the ribbon that my spange was on to show him the mm.
I broke one of the prongs doing this. I could kick myself and I don't know what to do.
Will leave it as it is or get it repaired?
All help is appreciated.

Regards,
Stephen

[zambrotta11]

back

[SwordFish]

Well, I think you need to aks yourself what you intend to do with it in the future. If it were me, and I intended to keep it, i would have it repaired. Beside, its already missing the bottom 2 pins. Just have the pin resottered back on. It doesn't seem like a huge problem, but it will reduce it's value a little bit. I'm not opposed to having a few pieces that have had small reparis that have been done well. It's just incumbant upon you to let a potential buyer know about the repair when and if the time comes to sell it (especially if he/she is a WAF or another association member). Letting the buyer know in advance is the right thing to do. If you don't you'll get bad luck coming back to bite you on a future purpose. You know, the whole cliche "what goes around comes around" thing.

Anyway, sorry to hear about it breaking but the problem could be a whole lot worse (like the head or a wing breaking off).

[wh014d4394]

peace of piss my amigo. go for it be a devil

[Stahlhelm]

I agree with all of Swordfish's advice, 100%. It's mostly an issue of what you intend to do with it, and what will most satisfy you. If it were me, I'd prefer to have it nicely repaired, in order to continue to appropriately display it on the bar. That also seems to be the obvious best choice for you, since it seems that your purpose and desire is the same. Besides, what else can you really do with a spange that won't attach to it's original ribbon? It seems that the advantages and improvements from repair considerably outweigh any disadvantages or drawbacks from leaving the prong detached.

This problem you have with this is a perfect example of why I don't remove anything that you must bend 60+ year-old prongs to remove. The risk is just too great, and it's never woth it.

Again, I think having it nicely repaired is the best, most ultimately satisfying option you have. Obviously, it won't be of any practical use otherwise, and the value could somehow be less to some collectors, if left unrepaired. I know the general rule is don't mess with anything, and leave it as it is. However, I think this is one of the few true exceptions. Let us know what you do, and good luck!

Chris

[wh014d4394]

i see your only 17 son. send it to me. i will put you all the prongs back on. like the day it was made. FREE OF CHARGE THATS BEING A VERY NICE MAN

[Carson]

Cheat on your repair. Either resolder it with a pen nibbed soldering iron so as to not heat up and damage the front of the award,

OR

Use JB Weld or some other adhesive that will grab the prong, but be limited to the area of contact.

Maybe if you know a jeweller, they might have a suggestion.

Bottom line is that it is your item, and what is best for you? You know how you feel about breaking it, let alone if the front surface is damaged!

(BTW, thought I was the only one who was cursed this way!!!) Best of luck.

[zambrotta11]

Thanks for the advice everyone.
I think I will definitely feel better if got it repaired so it's on its way to Jimmy and he is even going to repair it for free!
I would like to thank him again and I can't wait to see his great work.

Regards,
Stephen

[wh014d4394]

my my son. you dont mess about i got it today sending back today sorry i run out of silver plate are i woud have plated it for you. the prongs that is. may be you can take better pic when you get it back mine are s,it

[zambrotta11]

That was quick!
Its not usual that the Royal Mail are that reliable.
Even from the crappy photo () it looks like a great job. Thanks Jimmy!
Can't wait to see it in hand. I will post better photos for everyone when I get it.

Regards,
Stephen

[zambrotta11]

Royal mail is on a roll these days. The spange is back with me already.
Jimmy's work is excellent and if you need anything repaired I would definitely recommend him to you. Thanks again, Jimmy.
Here is a photo of the spange securely back on its ribbon. I would take it off to show you Jimmy's work but I wouldn't want to have to send it back to him again.

Regards,
Stephen

[paddywhack]

yup as i can attest jimmy work is great but his camera skills well errr
can anyone say scanner?????

[wh014d4394]

so you put the ribbon back on? i bet you was sweating

[zambrotta11]

so you put the ribbon back on? i bet you was sweating

Your right my friend! I was trying not to break it again!

Regards,
Stephen