The definition of a Prinzen vs. a Mini EK

[streptile]

I would call all the pieces posted since my last post Prinzengröße, or Reduktion, awards, except Carl's button-back EK1, because it appears to be made to be worn as a buttonhole device. Greg's -- I'm not sure if it's a buttonhole mini or a Prinzen, to be honest.

[Roglebk]

I would call all the pieces posted since my last post Prinzengröße, or Reduktion, awards, except Carl's button-back EK1, because it appears to be made to be worn as a buttonhole device. Greg's -- I'm not sure if it's a buttonhole mini or a Prinzen, to be honest.

Totally agree, all Prinzen exept for my 27mm button mini. Gregs 22mm screwback is a mini too, mostly because of the size. If it had been at least 25mm, then not sure.

A 30mm one piece screwback EKI. A very good match to the 27mm Button mini in post 11, all exept for the screwback and lack of vaulting.

[gregM]

Greg's -- I'm not sure if it's a buttonhole mini or a Prinzen, to be honest.

If 1/2 half sized Prinzens are known to exsist., then why would my 22mm
screwback not fall into the "Prinzen" catagory? 22mm would certainly make it big enough.---------------------
---------I still belive mine to be a mini.

Carls Austrian one piece I think might be considered a Prinzen. I also
believe the enameled ek2 on Tony's bar and the matching Ek1 are
Prinzens.

The highly vaulted Ek1 in post #11 is a big mini, in the same catagory as my
screwback--sorry.

[Roglebk]

If 1/2 half sized Prinzens are known to exsist., then why would my 22mm
screwback not fall into the "Prinzen" catagory? 22mm would certainly make it big enough.

22mm is not big enough imo, never saw any 1/2 size Prinzen smaller than 26-27mm.

But then we have the 3 piece made 16mm EK minis, true work of art and certainly better made than some of the much bigger 'One Pieces' seen here.

The Prinzen/Reduktion business sure is a Djungle! Think we have to look at contemporary sales catalogues. There they name them either minis or Prinzen/Reduktion. Too bad the catalogues are not easily found.

[gregM]

my latest WS marked fullsized cross measured 42.6 mm. Half sized
would be 21.3. I think my 22mm falls into that size range.

I am not trying to make a case for mine being a prinzen--it is NOT.
But not because of it's size but because of the style and quality of construction.

[Wild Card]

22mm is not big enough imo, never saw any 1/2 size Prinzen smaller than 26-27mm.

But then we have the 3 piece made 16mm EK minis, true work of art and certainly better made than some of the much bigger 'One Pieces' seen here.

I agree.

To illustrate, shown below is a RAO 1st, 2nd or 3rd class which measures 21.99 mm and is clearly, by the buttonhole device, intended to be a miniature. I agree that ca. 22 mm seems very large for a miniature, and while I have never seen a group, or chain, of miniatures in that range, I am inclined to think that such pieces were made to be mounted signally, as seen here.

[Wild Card]

Here is an Iron cross which measures 36.34 mm and I think is clearly a prinzen, or reduktion, piece. Although we are talking measurement numbers here, when you actually see these pieces, you will find that a few millimeters can make a big difference.