1914 EKI good to go ?

[Hagar]

Hi all,
I have a chance to buy this 1914 iron cross

But it just doesn't look right is this a muffin crown or is it just worn ?
the beading looks newer than the iron insert??
1) is it the real deal
2) what is a fair price for one of these

I need some expert opinions on this as I am not sure
thanx in advance
regards Peter

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Peter,

When you find an expert, let me know!

From what I can see though, you have the potential for an uncommon and imo desirable variant - amongst variant collectors like myself anyway. This is what I think of as the "pumpkin" crown with "spoon-bill" pin variant. This type has a blued sheet metal core - this example appears quite worn though. Yours appears unrepaired. The reverse plate appears to be plated tombak and the obverse frame possible nickel-silver. The nicest ones are found with genuine (and marked) silver frames. The maker is not known to the best of my knowledge.

Price - hard to say. Rarity is cancelled by condition but imo it's still worth a bit more than a common KO in good condition. Someone after a wartime award piece would argue differently I'm sure.

Regards
Mike

PS: very nicely done rounded outer frame/arm corners on this example - a nicely worn character piece.