1813 Ek2??

[Rob Brown]

Sorry I seem to be posting every version of imperial cross but they all seem to have appeared in one go!! and they are supposed to be rare!!

even this one!!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EISERNES-KREUZ...QQcmdZViewItem

[Tim Tezer]

IMHO, this is not an original at all. Some may be convinced that it's a late 19th Century piece, but I think more likely it's a recent copy. The style is close to an original, but the rendering of the date and oakleaves on the center is just not the same as 1813-1815, or 1830's production. The black paint bubbling with rusty crud underneath it is also a red flag: original wartime-era 1813 EK2s were not painted, but chemically blackened. It's possible it's an early piece that's been repainted, but not for my money.

Tim

[DavidM]

Hello

I have to agree, I'm afraid, and say that this does not look like a contemporary 1813 piece. It may be the pictures, but, among other things, the frame doesn't look right to me. I wouldn't bid on it if it was my money.

Apart from anything else, if this is a genuine 1813 EK2, would you put it in an E-Bay auction without reserve and potentially only get a couple of hundred pounds (GBP) for it when the real item will easilly fetch £600 - £800 ? I know there are genuine pieces at bargin prices to had occasionally, but in my opinion this isn't one of them.

Regards
David

[George Stimson]

It appears identical to this example that I got from Detlev several years ago.

[DavidM]

Hello

Following Georges posting, I have captured the pictures from E-Bay and enhanced them in a photo editing package, (one is attached to this reply). When viewed against Georges picture there are some similarities. The E-Bay cross does actually have the stepped core which I couldn't see before. Because of the quality of the photos on E-Bay I'm still not personally 100% convinced about it. However, I do make mistakes sometimes, and after looking at Georges I may be wrong about this one.

I would suggest that you ask George if he has any measurements and weights for his cross and then e-mail the E-Bay seller for the same. Also, see if you can get any clearer, sharper pictures of it for comparison against the one George has posted.

Regards
David

[gregM]

The paint is really NOT a red flag as some were painted with lacquer which tended to bubble. George's cross is a perfect example.

My apologies to George for my earlier posting mistake. My goof might have lead people to think that his 1813 EK was in question. It is not and is a prime example of a period 1813 EK.
sincerely,
Greg