Imperial Wide frame EKII for review

[streptile]

If you can find one (on eBay or similar), you can buy an original piece of 1914 EK ribbon for about $25. While not rare, they're far less common (and more valuable) than the 1939 versions -- but it's always very nice to have an original ribbon on your EK2

[pzrwest]

Waiting for this cross to arrive in the mail. I'm the process of buying another wide frame EKII but from a different maker from a member here on WAF. It will be my 5th EKII. I guess it's true collecting EKII's is addictive.... LOL

[pzrwest]

Robert just received the EKII ribbon today. Thank You very much, will look very nice on the EKII when it arrives..... Harold

[Robert P.]

Robert just received the EKII ribbon today. Thank You very much, will look very nice on the EKII when it arrives..... Harold

Glad you like it, Harold.

Robert

[pzrwest]

I compared the original EKII ribbon with a repro ribbon and not only is the weave different but also the feel of the ribbon is also different. The repro ribbon feels stiff and not at all like an original ribbon.

[Robert P.]

I compared the original EKII ribbon with a repro ribbon and not only is the weave different but also the feel of the ribbon is also different. The repro ribbon feels stiff and not at all like an original ribbon.

Does the repro ribbon (first photo) look like this with one edge whip-stitched and the other edge looped?

The second photo is an original, both edges looped.

Robert

[pzrwest]

yes one edge is stitched and the weave is wider than the original exactly like the repro one you posted. Even blind folded I think I could tell the difference between the repro one and the original you sent me. The original ribbon has a much softer silkier feel to it where the repro feels stiff and hard

[Robert P.]

From what I understand there were some original Imperial ribbons that weren't equally 'looped' on both edges, but I'm not educated enough to tell one of these from a reproduction ribbon yet. This ribbon I post here suspends a TR Social Welfare Medal, and as you can see the loops are further apart that what we're used to seeing on an EK. I've given this the burn test and the black light test, and all went well for it. I'm sure it's an original period ribbon. Both edges are identical to one another...

I would like to start a thread specifically on ribbons. I think it would not only be interesting, but very educational as well.

Robert

[pzrwest]

I agree on having a thread on ribbons. Would be a great asset to help identify ribbons