Bavarian MVK 2nd Cl markings ?s

[Indyarch]

A couple questions about this MVK 2nd Class:

1. Were versions made from silver always marked with silver content on the reverse of the swords blade? Is it possible that some were not marked with the silver content?

2. This MVK has a "D" on the reverse of the swords blade. Could this be a mark for Deschler & Sohn?

I appreciate learning from your comments.

[Indyarch]

"D" Mark

"d"

[Brad Posey]

You are correct about the D meaning Dreschler....however...the MVK2 is not silver. Only the MVO4 and above were made in silver, gold-plated silver or gold. The entire MVK series is made from cupric alloys; like bronze etc.

There is an MVK on the e-stand now the seller says is silver, but it is not silver.

Nevertheless...the MVO and MVK are some of my favorite Imperial medals....

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[Indyarch]

Yes, I like these medals myself. I have never seen one maker marked like this before. Always seen them marked on the reverse of the angriff

Why does Nimmergut list a silver MVK 2nd class (3rd Form 1913-1921,,,,,#428) they were never made from silver? Any thoughts?

[Brad Posey]

Yes, I like these medals myself. I have never seen one maker marked like this before. Always seen them marked on the reverse of the angriff

Why does Nimmergut list a silver MVK 2nd class (3rd Form 1913-1921,,,,,#428) they were never made from silver? Any thoughts?

"Silver" as in the color not the metal. If you set an MVO4 (which is silver and hallmarked) next to a MVK2 you can see and feel the difference.


Most of the MVK series do not have a makers marks, but I have several with "D" for Dreschler and "GB" for Gebrueder Hemerlle. There are obviously others.

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[avadski]

"Silver" as in the color not the metal. If you set an MVO4 (which is silver and hallmarked) next to a MVK2 you can see and feel the difference.


Most of the MVK series do not have a makers marks, but I have several with "D" for Dreschler and "GB" for Gebrueder Hemerlle. There are obviously others.

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Brad,

there only exists:

D - for Deschler (marked on swords tip)
GH - for Gebruder Hemmerle (marked on the body where the swords are attached)
WCo - Weiss & Co (marked on swords tip).

Jacob Leser and Christian Lauer did not mark their MVKs.

Regards, Viliam.

[saschaw]

I'm pretty sure there are real silver crosses of this class (eary ones, by Hemmerle), but not by Deschler.

Earlier issues of the MVK were in silver only - those up to 1913.

[Brad Posey]

Brad,

there only exists:

D - for Deschler (marked on swords tip)
GH - for Gebruder Hemmerle (marked on the body where the swords are attached)
WCo - Weiss & Co (marked on swords tip).

Jacob Leser and Christian Lauer did not mark their MVKs.

Regards, Viliam.

The marked MVK3's that I have are marked D and WH on the swords. I do not see any on the Agaffe or whatever you call the part where the swords hood on.

The MVO4 that I have is marked GH 900 on the swords and GH 950 on the Agaffe.

I do not have a WCo and all of the MVKs that I have in a Leser marked case, as you say, are not marked.

I saw a very good and detailed thread on a German site about the MVO/MVK series, I will find it and post it later.

Hopefully we could get something similar going here. As Don has pointed out on numerous occasions, the MVO and MVKs are really underrated.

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[avadski]

Let's stay focused on MVKs. Apart of early pieces (without swords) I have never seen a silver content mark on either swords or body.

I'm pretty sure if you check your crosses from Weiss you find a hallmark of "WCo" hidden behind the arm of the cross. Mark is really hard to find and most owners have no idea it's there unless they take a magnifier a search for it:



Hemmerle Brothers marked some of their crosses where the swords are attached to the cross:

[Don D.]

Very informative.

[Indyarch]

Lots of great information here. Thank you everyone.

But to get back to my comment about Nimmergut's OEK #428, if he is referring to the color, then wouldn't all of the finishes look silver?

Nimmergut lists the following:

S 300 Euro
Alp vs 125 Euro
Ku vs 100 Euro

Would not all of these look silver? How would you be able to tell them apart to classify them three different ways?

[Indyarch]

Now, I have been reviewing all my MVKs for marks. In addition to the GH locations mentioned above, the MVK 2nd here is marked "G.H." on the side of the central disc at the 1 o'clock position.

[Wild Card]

With regard to the confusion over the existence of real silver MVK’s, I would point to item #493 Nimmergut’s Magnum Opus - Militärverdienstkreuz des MVO, 1. Klasse, 1905-1914. Notice that this is a first, not second, class cross. The OEK number for this cross is 419.

It has been theorized that the pieces of this type that were left in stock at the time were used up in the first group of 30 which were awarded on 30 Dec. 1913, birthday of King Ludwig III as the new type MVK second class. Up to 26 July 1915, 177 of this later type were awarded after which swords were added.

[Wild Card]

Reverse

[Wild Card]

Hallmark