Schinkel?

[Ammersee]

Is there such a thing as a WW1 Schinkel? I saw one on eBay and thought I'd better check. Looks like a regular 1914 EK to me. Ammersee

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Ammersee,

In short, NO! That would be some IDIOT seller working backwards from 1939 to 1914 when in reality the early 1939 "Schinkel" crosses were produced from 1930s (or earlier) 1914 EK design frame dies, for which the crosses were generally smaller than the 1939 EK 44mm specification.

If the cross in question is a 1914 design, then the description is a pure BS sales pitch.

Regards
Mike

[Tim Tezer]

That's a good one! ALL 1914's were Schinkels, as were 1870's and 1913's, because Schinkel was the designer of the Iron Cross. It was not until 1939 that the EK was re-designed to have a broader, heavier appearance, with a wider frame.

[Tiger 1]

That's a good one! ALL 1914's were Schinkels, as were 1870's and 1913's, because Schinkel was the designer of the Iron Cross. It was not until 1939 that the EK was re-designed to have a broader, heavier appearance, with a wider frame.

Tim,

Not quite ALL. There are Imperial era EKs with wider frames and a broader heavier appearance. For example, my 1870 Godet EKI when compared with my 1870 Wagner EKI are remarkably different. Take into account the early post WWi and the TR era 1914s and the 'ALL' is no longer a definate.

Besides Schinkel was basically responsible for the initial 1813 EK form. The 1870 and 1914 versions are in fact 'redesigns' of the 1813 to fit the appropriate era. The 1939 version even more so with the elimination of the Imperial symbolism.

Having said that Schinkel style EKs from the TR era are an exception rather than a general rule.

All the best,

Tony

[Tim Tezer]

True enough - Schinkel only designed the original, and there were many variants. The term the seller used, however, refers to a standard 1914 EK2. But you can't blame the guy for a little salesmanship.

Tim

[Tiger 1]