1914 EK1 marked 'G'

[Biro]

I am posting my newest aquisition for comment, and am particularly curious about the case - Eric Stalhurt has a Wagner in the same case, but is there a 'correct' Godet case or were Imperial cases a bit of a free-for-all?

Any other info on the 'G' mark would also be great.......how many Imperial versions of Godets' maker mark were there?

[Biro]

reverse...

[Biro]

In Case....(your intersted)

[Biro]

Closed Case......(if you aren't)

[Eric Stahlhut]

I think cases were not always produced by the same firm that manufactured the medals themselves. I think that they were 'outsourced'. As it so happens I have a mint cased and cartoned Godet cross with the exact same case as you have shown, so I would rest assured that your case is most likely integral to the cross.


I also have several other cased Godets with different styles of case, but the only one I have ever seen used exclusively with Godet crosses is different than the average EK1 case. It is cloth-bound and is larger. The base upon which the EK1 rests is raised, creating a 'dais' effect. An example was sold on the e-stand months ago.

I have seen green Godet-marked cases, but have shied away from them because the actual medals themselves were suspect.
Godet crosses had several methods of marking. You might want to look at Tony & Kaiser's relevant thread....

best,

e~

[Brian R]

Biro-

I think that's a standard Godet marked EK1. Although there are other examples of Godet marked crosses out there, the version with 'G' stamped pin seems to be the most common.

Also, it's difficult to say if there was a "correct" Godet case. I think the EK makers bought them from various suppliers. It seems that Godet used this type most often. I have three Godet marked EK1s. All three have that same G mark and all three came with the same case design as yours (one of them includes the outer carton).

Brian

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Biro,

The "G" marking you have seems to be the most "common" of the Godet markings. Less common is "GODET - BERLIN" stamped along the length of the pin in small letters. Even less common is "GODET BERLIN" stamped into the back of the cross (two separate lines), with or without silver content. There are also versions of the Godet crosses with side prongs added - one of this type has been on my "shopping list" for ages!

As for the case, I have a "KO" which came in exactly the same type of case as your "G".

Regards
Mike K

[Eric Stahlhut]

P.S. The venerable firm of Friedlander also used this style of case.



Now, the possible myth is that these cases with the gold rather than silver foil used on the EK1 outline on the top of the case was used in order to denote a naval affiliation. Can anyone prove this?

[Biro]

Thanks very much boys - much appreciated.

Naval? now there's a thread worth persuing!!!

[Brian R]

Now, the possible myth is that these cases with the gold rather than silver foil used on the EK1 outline on the top of the case was used in order to denote a naval affiliation. Can anyone prove this?

Eric-

The EK I posted above has the gold outline, however the carton is labeled Lt. Gebhard R.I.R. 212. Rick tried to help out with this one a while back without any luck as the recipient was a Prussian Reserve Officer.

Brian

[Eric Stahlhut]

Is there a date pencilled in as well? It would be neat to track these attributed EK's in order to determine at what stage of the war (and beyond) they were issued. And to try and determine just exactly when the makers decided to rely on a larger supplier of cases instead of the more local and smaller manufacturers.

[Klaus O.]

My Godet iron cross

Hi Biro,

For your comparison I am posting the pictures of the obverse and reverse of my Godet Iron Cross I purchased in 1986 for mere DM 55.- (back than it was a lot of money, since I was only 18). I ordered from a catalogue without pictures (!!!). It was my first Iron Cross 1st class. I still treasure this small beauty!

Could the "G" mean also "Glaser & Sohn & Dresden"?

Ciao,

Claudio

[Klaus O.]

Here is the reverse:

[Glenn R]

Here is an example of the raised base case for one of my Godets which I sold on the forum some time ago.

[Glenn R]

Inner lid