Very Odd '14 EK2 Conversion

[Eric Stahlhut]

Whoever went to the trouble did a great job! Question is, why?

[Rick Research]

looks like Minty Fresh one too -- so it's not as if it got banged around as a watch fob or on a key chain.

[Eric Stahlhut]

reverse

[Eric Stahlhut]

closeup of front

[Eric Stahlhut]

Closeup of reverse. Yep, Rick. The cross is stone mint with all of the paint still intact. The silver 'sleeve' was fitted onto the frame....

[Gerd Becker]

Just a suggestion... Maybe was this thing convertert to wear it on a buttonhole-ribbon?

[Tony & Kaiser]

I have seen photos of EKs being used as decorations around flags poles, tapestries, and other official decorations. Could this have been made specifically for a similar purpose? Which would mean it was not converted. T

[Tom Y]

The thing that strikes me the most is that the ring is marked. I think maybe Tony's got the right idea.

[Eric Stahlhut]

I like Tony's idea, but I was under the impression that the one's he's talking about are Grand Cross size. Tony, can you remember where you saw a flag pole EK?

[Tony & Kaiser]

I was under the impression that the one's he's talking about are Grand Cross size.

Hi Eric,
I am sure I have seen one lot in a long-past German auction which was a drapery with a series of cloth 'bands" around it and it had EK2 hung from each of these bands. In the current HH auction there is something similar to demonstrate use of a period decoration as a decoration in itself. Lot Nr.4283 is a Banner Pole from the Hohenzollern Castle and suspended from it is a Grand Cross of the Iron Cross 1870. As you mentioned, not the same, I know, but the same idea. Could be?

[Eric Stahlhut]

I think that your explanation is very plausible. One would think that if this was not a conversion but a production piece, we would be more familiar with this style of cross.


Gerd has a good idea as well, but I feel it would have been too much effort to "doctor" up an EK2 like this one in order to wear it on the ribbon for a day. Perhaps it is an unused photo studio prop?

[Gerd Becker]

Hi Eric,

assuming, my idea was right, isn´t it possible, that some producers made special EKs like this for the one, who liked to wear an EK on their buttonhole ribbon. I don´t think, "normal" EKs were good to wear on a bh.

Have you ever seen another one of this or is this the first?

I have never seen a flagpole like described from Tony. Anyone has a picture available?

best,
Gerd

[Eric Stahlhut]

Hi Eric,

assuming, my idea was right, isn´t it possible, that some producers made special EKs like this for the one, who liked to wear an EK on their buttonhole ribbon. I don´t think, "normal" EKs were good to wear on a bh.

Have you ever seen another one of this or is this the first?

I agree, and that is why I was wondering if it possibly could be a foto prop for soldiers who were having their CDVs taken in an atelier. I really don't know.
I've never seen an EK2 with this type of construction before.