Rhodium Finish on a EKII?

[Pronghorn]

Hey All:

I'm looking at a MFH ring marked EKII. (Wish I had photo capability!)

It's very well executed...three piece construction, beading and core are in sharp relief. (43.16 mm tall - 3 o'clock arm 22.34 mm)

HOWEVER....It's VERY magnetic...extraordinarily so...

The frame I believe is iron based and much (10X) more attractive to a rare earth magnet than any other EKII that I have...and it looks to be coated in Rhodium.

It's easy to see where the coating....not a silver coating...has worn through.

ALSO, the core is also coated in Rhodium ...or something....as there are places where the black paint has flaked off and below the paint, the core is stunningly shiney.

What gives?

Robert

[Tiger 1]

I have several examples that are totally made of ferrous metals frame and all. One totaly magnetic EKI is even marked as being 800 (silver). The magnetic frames and cores were silver plated and the cores were then painted or enameled. I have one where the iron core was copper plated and then enamelled.

I believe these are just manufacturing variations reflecting the later wartime or early post war shortage of more precious metals for the frames.Or maybe a cheaper product with the initial look of a quality piece that did not stand the test of time. In that regard brass was also used as a subsitute in some frames.

Just some thoughts,

Tony