The World's Smallest Manufacturer's Mark

[Tony & Kaiser]

I have had this EK1 for 20 years hanging on various tunics without giving it
a second thought. With a new interest in EK1, I see it now in a
different light. It has a very delicately detailed crown, quite shallow,
not like the "fat" crowns on many EK1. The date is also quite long and
thin. <br>

<img src=http://www.kaisersbunker.com/stuff/Fr_EKa.jpg>

[Tony & Kaiser]

The reverse has a microscopic manufacturer's mark under the hook. Even with
a X5 jeweler's eye loupe, I could not make it out. It was too tiny.

<img src=http://www.kaisersbunker.com/stuff/Fr_EKb.jpg>

[Tony & Kaiser]

The hinge is quite elegant and very well-made with a indentation for the
semi-flat pin.

<img src=http://www.kaisersbunker.com/stuff/Fr_EKc.jpg>

[Tony & Kaiser]

Finally I got a 15 X jeweler's eye loupe and managed to take a photo through
it. Yes; It's a Friedländer!

<img src=http://www.kaisersbunker.com/stuff/Fr_EKd.jpg>

[Rick Research]

Yup, mine too. I got this flat piece back in Ronnie's first term, when the estate of the two Pour le Merite winning Schniewindt brothers was all sold off. I never realized for years that there WAS any mark, either...


and was only able to get THIS scan at x1500%! (The pin was replaced by a needle type.)

[Rick Research]

The front of mine.

[Rick Research]

I only wish I knew which Schniewindt brother's this was! (I also got shoulder boards for both.)

The pin was replaced by a needle type no doubt while whichever Schniewindt was still wearing it.

Had this for almost 20 years before I realized there was a maker mark too!

Notice that despite the pin TIP being possibly accidentally bent all those other snakelike "bends" had to have been MADE that way in order for the otherwise far too long pin to remain "out of sight." I've got another EK (no, NOT an "Fr." ) with quite distinct "zig zag" bends made that way apparently to help insure the cross would have a hard time falling off, as it might with a straight out needle.

[JensF.]

Here is mine!!!

[JensF.]

Front:

[Tony & Kaiser]

Hey! This is turning into an "Friedländer EK1" owner's meeting.

Hello, my name is Tony.........and............I.......uh...er....... ...
own a Friedländer EK1.

[JensF.]

Uhrg...and.....uh... I....I.... NEED MORE!!! Uhrg....

[Eric Stahlhut]

Nice hinge

As Tony mentions, the hinge quality on some Friedlander examples is exceptional. Friedlander also made examples that had a hinge assembly with
fewer "finishing touches". These examples have a slightly different method of hallmarking as well. I would guess that there may be two reasons for this: different quality awards at different prices (Fr. rarely marked items for silver content, but the better finished items seem to be of a higher content), or the "less finished" examples were merely made later on when the privations of the wartime German economy were beginning to affect production.

[Tony & Kaiser]

These examples have a slightly different method of hallmarking as well. I would guess that there may be two reasons for this: different quality awards at different prices.

That would explain the three versions of Godet EK1 marked: G, GD, and Godet & Sohn. I have a G, but can I shamelessly say that I am looking for the other two? Tony

[Rick Research]

And so far we're 2 for 3 that Friedländer PINS sucked and fell off!!!

[Tony & Kaiser]

And so far we're 2 for 3 that Friedländer PINS sucked and fell off!!!

No no no. They caught on "barbed wire" during an assault. Don't you read militaria dealer's descriptions?