RAO case question

[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

A little while ago I picked up a 1914 EK1. It came in a small red case (~68 x 55 x 21 mm, "nail" like push button on the right side, black velvet lined base, padded black silk upper, gold trimmed borders on the inner edges, fitted for a Maltese cross with a large ring - or possibly oakleaves), which I think is for a RAO.

I have an RAO 4th class, but it is a very loose fit - too loose imo. I know KO4's and KO3's are the same size, but is the RAO 3rd class bigger than the 4th class (I've never owned one to compare)? If so, I'm guessing it's for an RAO3.

The case is in pretty good condition - the leatherette hinge is fully intact, there is only very very minor scuffing on the top and sides but there's a noticeably chunk of the bottom leatherette missing (30 mm long, 3-8 mm wide).

I have no need for it so I'd like to find out what the case may be for and an approximate value.

I'll add a couple of pics if required.

Regards
Mike K

[Tim Tezer]

A variation is size of the indentation may just be a manufacturing difference between different makers. The cross you have may have been from a different maker than the one that came in that case.

There have been a lot of pushbotton RAO cases on the market in the last couple of years, and I have a sneaking suspicion they have either been knocked off or somebody found a stash of old cases. In fact, I have one of these cases, and I have no idea if it's original or what. Franklyl, it doesn't matter that much to me, as I am one of these collectors that considers the case sort of a nice accessory but not important. Some people, however, pay twice as much for a cased award as they do for an original. that could put them in a world of hurt when it comes to selling their pieces, but if it makes them happy, so be it.

In short, I would say your case is worth $50 if the buyer believes that it's original, and maybe $25 if they think it's a nice knock-off. If you factor in Ebay bidding frenzy, maybe more. As for trying to tell if it's an original or a copy, I don't know if that's really possible.

Tim

[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

Tim, thanks for your response, it is appreciated. I don't profess to be all that knowledgeable on Imperial cases, but this one looks, feels and smell right. It certainly doesn't strike me as recent or artificially aged.

The RAO4 I put in it is a J H Werner example, which is about 38.9 mm wide. The case will comfortably fit a larger 1914 EK2 (like a 43 mm wide CD800 example) and even a 44 mm wide standard 1939 EK2 - nothing larger though.

If anybody owns a cased RAO4, I'd be interested to hear how much "play" there is in the fit of the cross to the insert. I'd also like to hear from someone with a RAO3 as to how big they are.

Regards
Mike K

[stogieman]

3. & . Kl. are the same size

Mike, it's only when you hit the Second Class Cross does the size change. 4 & 3 are identical sizes.

[Mike Kenny]

Thanks Rick. Sounds like the case is for the 3rd or 4th class then, as it doesn't appear to be set up for a neck ribbon loop.

Regards
Mike K

[stogieman]

Also....

.. try hitting below the fitted tray with a blacklight... but you'll have to pop it out to check. I suspect in Germany, your case will bring more than $50 USD.