Wagner & Sohne EKII?

[Robert P.]

Very 'green' to Imperial crosses, I have to ask, is this maker mark 'WS' for Wagner & Sohne?

Thanks,
Robert

[Robert P.]

rev...

[streptile]

Hi Robert,

WS, as well as WuS and W&S, are commonly believed to be marks used by Wagner und Sohn, yes.

[Robert P.]

Thanks Trevor,

Hey, I like these Imperials. The details are really something. If I were to start collecting them, which makers should I be looking for first? Are there particular cores which are more detailed, maybe somebody's favorite(s)?

Robert

[Wik]

Robert,

I know Trevor and I are large fans of the SW, Godet and J/AWS cores. After that we differ a bit, his eye is much more trained though.

I had found a WONDERFUL KM marked cross on e-bay which I drooled over, but Trev has said he isn't as big of a fan of that particular maker. Anyhow, I don't want to speak for him as he knows what he likes more than I, but the three I mentioned tend to have excellent details, at least in both his and my opinions.


Some CDs or CD800s can be nice, WILM and FR or Fr (I don't know if they are the same maker, haven't done much research on this maker) as well. This is about the limit of my knowledge. Beware though, the cores at this period were seemingly traded off back and fourth so you can find some interesting combos/variations.


Ryan

[Wik]

Oh and i just got a MM "ED" cross which seems to be pretty nice as well.


Ryan

[streptile]

Hi Robert,

The real variation in Imperial EKs is in the core types, not the maker marks, per se. My personal feeling is that a "complete" collection of 1939 EK2s would be composed of different maker marks and variants, while a "complete" collection of 1914 EK2s would comprise all the different core varieties. There was just too much core-swapping to keep track of makers by core characteristics. A few companies used their own, proprietary core designs. By far my favorite are the three cores used by AWS, some of which were also later used by Juncker. HERE is a thread in which the three AWS variations are shown and discussed.

Other companies that mostly used their own specific core designs were CD, Hansen, and KMST. I don't personally care for any of their designs.

Another all-time favorite core of mine is the one you show in the original piece there. I do not think Godet made this core, but I tend to think of it as a "Godet core" because most (if not all) Godet EK1s and EK2s use it. In addition to the excellent detail of the core, Godet crosses (which are marked 'G' on either the pin or the ribbon ring) are some of the finest made crosses from WWI. A nice 'G' marked example would be a great place to start.

There is also one other beautifully detailed core known as the "slant W" because the central upright post of the 'W' has a slanted top. Here is a good example of it, courtesy of Don Doering:



This core is possibly the most commonly found core in WWI EK1s.

Two other cores that I love are the ones that were re-worked from 1870s. There is a 1914 "Type B" core, HERE, and a 1914 "Type A" core, here:

[Steve Campbell]

Just what we need, Robert Pierce down here scooping up all the Imperials. As for the nicest one I have seen, that would have to be JWS. Also, I like Godet, CD800 and Wilm off the top of my head. I have a thread with most of my 1914 EK2s posted. I do need to do an update on a couple. But you can see what I have here:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...EK2+collection

Here's my JWS. The detail is quite nice.

[Roglebk]

Hi Robert, it's about time you buy some Imperials Look for crosses with nice silver patina and detailed cores. If you can find any with Blackened/Blued core buy them in an instant! Myself i especially like G (Godet), LW, AWS and all from the Wagner "relatives" SW, WS, W&S, WuS and JWS. All the "silver marked" ones are bloody good too (800, 900, 935)

[streptile]

Robert, it would be great to see you around here more .

Steve is right, that core he shows is a stunner:

[Robert P.]

Excellent you guys,

You've given some good advice I am quite sure. And, I'll follow it. The photos you've provided show breathtaking examples. Regarding 1939 EK's my 'likes' have evolved toward the finer crafted cores. Now that I have begun to break over into the Imperials (how far I go I don't know yet) I have found their cores to me masterpieces compared to the 39's. Maybe I'm going through a 'birth' buying this nice Wagner cross. It struck me as a nice cross when I saw it on Klaus' site last week.

Thank you very much,
Robert