3rd Reich 1914 EK2's Frosted?

[Bill M]

--I went to the Union NJ show recently and came upon a 3rd Reich medalbar which included a 1914 EK, Russian front and Long Service medals.
--The 1914 was definitely the stop sign as the core detail was just not there, it looked similar to a bad 1957 non-magnetic dealie. What struck me was that it had frosted beading and this is the first time that I have seen anything like this. It stands to reason that this may have been done here and there during the 3rd Reich, I've just not seen it. Has anyone?
--Now I am 99.9999% sure that the one in question was junk and am 100% sure that the frosting looked VERY out of place on a 1914 EK2, but I am curious. Has anyone got or seen a bona-fide WW2 era 1914 EK with the Rhodium/Frosted finish?

[stogieman]

Not me!

Never seen a WW1 EK2 or EK1 like that. The possibility exists the original recipient "up-graded" but I would rather have a tarnished hard-earned one myself. However, I KNOW every time our soldats went in to update/change their bars it was SOP for the jeweler to push "something nice, new and shiny" on the customer!

[Bill M]

--Wish I had a picture, you'd cringe. It looks as out of place as a Hussar riding in a Panzer!

[Rick Research]

Say hello to...


Beauty and the Beast!!!

[Rick Research]

No frosted beads, but hideous misshapen crown, awful, just awful, in 1939 size frame.

[Sonderkommando]

Bill M,
I owned a medal bar with the Imperial EK2 and Hindenburg cross and the EK2 was as you describe. It had the frosted beading, polished rims and a non-magnetic centre with detail similar to the '57 issue crosses and a thick glossy paint finish. The cross was very light and I got the impression that the centre core and ring were made of aluminium? The thing is that it had never been removed from the bar and the ribbon mounting was very tight, original and unfiddled with. I believe it was original Third Reich but simply didn't like it and got rid of it.

Cheers,
Brett

[Sebastian Bianchi]

I didn't like the looks of the EK Bill is talking about at all. It was at N&T's table (I'll let you draw your own conclution).

Seba

[Bill M]

--Er, uh...Forgot to mention that!

[mott5ranch]

and you guys didn't bring a camera!?!?! Did you wear the shirts?Did you guys at least get together and have a cold one and talk about your finds?

...I've heard there are some great places in your neck of the woods for camera deals.

.....ok I'll stop rubbing it in. I know you guys were lucky to just get away with new babies, house hunting, work, etc.

but a picture is worth a thous.....oh you know.

[Bill M]

--OK! OK! Next time I'll bring the camera!
--Yep, we at least had the shirts on.
--Next meeting may well be a rifle range (sans whiskey...), we'll see.

[PaulChep]

Bill you raise and interesting question and as we all know the frosting was something that was applied during the third reich period. I have not seen a 1914 EK2 with any type of frosting. My experience has been that most of the frames for the 1914 EK2 are silver.

[Eric Stahlhut]

or in some rare instances, plated brass.