Non-magnetic ek2 1914

[jani_tiainen]

As I am very junior with non-magnetic EKs, your opinions would be very appreciated....

Original or not...manufacturer???

[jani_tiainen]

and reverse

reverse

[JensF.]

Is it a three piece construction?

[Tom Y]

I dunno, it looks kinda funky to me. Maybe even cast? Is it one or three piece? Looks like one piece in the scan, and the white metal under the paint bodes ill. Jens, what's your opinion?

[Doug See]

Non-ferrous EK's certainly exist from period. Some were one-piece, solid, or hollow sheet metal. What is that whitish patina on yours? Is it zinc or aluminum?

[JensF.]

If it is one-piece I am not sure. As three piece it would be ok. But the ring looks strange. Are these spots patina? And the frame too, spots (patina) or bad cast marks???

[jani_tiainen]

more pictures

Details on the cross are quite sharp - though for me it looks like a one pice construction. The frame has been patinated and when looking at the ring - it almost looks like its frosted...

[jani_tiainen]

I just can not tell about the metal, but comparing to patina, it could be silver. On one scratch it easy to see (from oakleaf) that the metal under black paint is kind of silver.

[JensF.]

I would handle this one as some kind of one-piece cheap 30s Spangenstück. It looks too good; not like these cast crap fakes around. I think it is silver plated due the uneven patina. Maybe made from German Silver.

[Brian S]

I can say from experience that not all EKII 1914's are magnetic nor are they necessarily cheap. I have a medal bar from a general that has a non-magnetic core. The detail is great. The frame is silver. I cannot guess what the core is made of but there is no loss of paint and the details are superb.

What is the maker's mark on the ring?

If it's one piece construction and original I think it would be great. Germany was in a severe depression following WWI. I have seen far fewer one piece crosses making them more rare than our common types.

[jani_tiainen]

Thanks for your opinions friends!

It is just too good be not original and it also looks like really used (not artificially patinated).

How could I test the type of metal to be sure wheter its silver or something else (without damaging the cross)?

Cheers,
Jani

[JensF.]

By looking at the cross I can tell you by 99% it is not silver. I suspect German Silver (copper-nickel). Note the uneven patina. Some parts lost the silver plating and the two metals got a different type of patina. Most frames of EKs can be identified as silver plated due this strange patina. Silver would never get such an uneven patina, even if it has a low silver content.

[J Temple-West]

Hi Jani, here's an example of a non-magnetic, 3 piece EK2 that I have in my collection...

[JensF.]

I have this one. Three piece but all parts are made of BRASS!