Maker's Mark "R" on ribbon ring for EK2

[streptile]

Hello List,

I have an Imperial EK2 marked "R" on the ribbon ring. It's a WWI-era manufacture 1870 (or so I was told when I bought it from a reputable Hamburg dealer from whom I've gotten quite a number of nice indisputably original items for my collection over the years). I don't see that mark listed in the EK database thread, although it is listed among Imperial maker's marks in a couple of reference books I own, including "The Iron Time." I can post images later today, but was wondering: does anyone have any information on this mark?

Thank you,
Trevor

[john mcconkey]

Hi Trevor
i have posted one about 4or 5 posts down ready to go into the database,i just recieved mine yesterday,
Heres a shortcut,
http://70.87.163.50/forums/showthread.php?t=347281

John

[saschaw]

Trevor, could you please show us a picture of that EK? From what you write I do not like it... (sounds pretty much like a socalled "9th bead fake").

[gregM]

I would be interested in seeing it.

[streptile]

Oh yeah, it's definitely not a 9th bead, I know those. Pics coming, hopefully tonight.

[streptile]

OK.

Here's the cross. At least I know it's not a 9th-Bead fake; I've been aware of those for some time before I joined this forum, and I'm happy to say that I don't have any in the collection. However, I have had some painful enlightenments on this forum. Pretty soon I'm going to start posting threads showing off my rare crosses that I know are authentic, just to increase my odds, like the awarded 1870 EK2 from a member of my family. If someone tells me that one's a fake then I'm going to pull my hair out. Nah, just kidding, I really do want to weed out the fakes.

Anway, here's what I know about this one. Bought 1998 from Helmut Weitze. Described as "Typical example from World War era." I do know these were sold in catalogues right along side 1914 EKs, and that many, many people made them into the 1920s. The ring is marked "R." Three piece, magnetic, with silver frames. Came in a case.

Obverse:

It's been repainted, not by me.

Reverse:


Mark:


Details of the obverse:




And the crown of the reverse:


All right, have at it.

[saschaw]

Never seen such a type before, thanks for showing.

Of course not a 9th bead fake, but know what? I have never seen any other maker marked old 1870 EK but those! Never ever, so this has to be a first time. That much about "typical"... I'd say that is a good one, and a very rare variation.

[gregM]

Now that is interesting.

My first reaction to it is that it's a reworked 1914. The 914 being
shaved off and replaced with home made 870. I seem to remember
some old discussion from many years ago on the forum about shaved
crosses. Is this the case with this one? Who knows.
1870 Ek2s were typically not maker marked and the obverse crown is
not the typical Godet - Wagner style crown. So that would suggest
a post 1895 Jubilee ere cross ( nothing wrong with that )

As Sascha said, it's an interesting varient. I like it and would keep it
myself. I'm just not sure if it started out as a 1870.

It would be nice to have Marshall, Marc and Tony weigh in on this one.
After all I am just a rookie at this.

[streptile]

Let me re-post it in another thread for wider comment. After all, this thread's title doesn't exactly invite the experts to come in and offer an opinion on an 1870 EK2, does it? I'm sure most folks skip over this one.