EK on e-Bay

[George Stimson]

Any thoughts? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=6128771537

[gregM]

Since I brought this to George's attention, I'll start the ball rolling. This EK1 is 1 piece and non-magnetic. The paint looks brand new and goes WAY up on the arms. Especially on the right side inner corner. The back even looks like it still has cross hatching on it. The only thing that looks old is the nut and it looks completely out of place to the rest of the cross. TO me this cross looks like it was made a month ago not 90 years ago. Of course this is only my opinion from
the so-so pictures and NOT having the cross in hand.
I am not trying to imply anything about Mr. Niemann. I am maybe wondering if someone is doing some photoshop magic to produce their own certificates.

Please lets have some more opinions on this one.

Greg

[Adam H]

From the photos alone I have great trouble believing this piece is 1920s-30s manufacture. It just looks to "fresh" and has a chinzy look about it which says "modern" to me. The finish and condition just do not look believable. Even if a cross was stored in ideal conditions since it was in use, it would still exhibit signs of age...even if it had been recently cleaned, there would be indicators.

I have concerns with the paint coming up so far on the arms as well...shoddy construction to be sure.

I have a one-piece 1914 EK1 that has a "pebbled" finish to the core as this one does, but it has an altogether different looking reverse (pin and catch) and the core details are considerably different as well.

Seeing a fake cross isn't alarming, but what is, as Greg points out...it the purported guarantee of originality which is attached to this (IMO) dubious DN COA.

Does anyone remember ever seeing this on Detlev's site?

This is a scary one.

Cheers,

Adam

[Biro]

Any thoughts?

Certainly the C.O.A. looks good and untouched....... which credits it as circa 1920-1935.......I wish I could read the whole Niemann description, but my 'doitche' is 'schieze'.... Maybe someone could oblige.

I'd like to see if their is any reference to it having been 'extensively cleaned and re-painted.............'

I don't hate it, personally...


Marshall

[Eric Stahlhut]

Interesting that the seller ostensibly purchased it last month (according to date on expertise) and is now looking to flip it. Even more interesting is that when you look at the section of seller's items for sale, nothing pops up.

[Mike Dunn]

Hell. the auction closes in eight days, if your really interested, send an e-mail to Detlev with the photos and ask him if it is correct. If it is not, I am sure he would like to look into it. That would answer all your questions. Mike

[Rolf D.]

In "Doitch" it says:
Iron Cross 1st Class, one piece manufacturing style, massive out of non magnetic material, vaulted, has the little screw back pieces and screw for attaching the pieces together, from around 1920-1935.

[Vadim K]

Even more interesting is that when you look at the section of seller's items for sale, nothing pops up.

For some reason, that has been happening lately with German sellers.

[Eric Stahlhut]

DOH! Is it because it is a private auction?

[Harry]

Identical screwback/wingnut mechanism as this early/intermediate EK1 spange. Could conclude therefore that this cross is of 3rd Reich manufacture?

[Biro]

Interesting that the seller ostensibly purchased it last month (according to date on expertise) and is now looking to flip it.

Worth considering....

I only have the English versions, but the items I've purchased from Detlev, come with a 'Guarantee' of Authenticity.....whereas items I've sent to him for appraisal, come with an 'EXPERTISE' of Authenticity....which this appears to be.

This means the seller has only recently sent it to Niemann for appraisal of Authenticity, which I personally think says something positive about the sellers integreity.

That, and the fact that it matches the Weitze spange backplate that Harry posted - and was ID'd by Niemann as a 20's - 30's made piece are all positive signs IMO.

I still don't hate it.

Marshall

[Vadim K]

DOH! Is it because it is a private auction?

Dunno, but I have seen it happen with regular auctions too. However, if you look up the same auction on Ebay.de you can see seller's other stuff with no problems. Weird...
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...tem=6128771537

As for this cross, I am with Marshall. I dont see anything wrong with it, looks identical to a couple of one-piece EK2s I have from 1920s.

[stogieman]

I'd have to agree....

... IMO we're looking at an evaluation form from Detlev and the cross was most likely made between 1920 and 1930.

[Brian R]

I generally agree with Marshall on this one. It looks legit - who's to say that these EKs made between the wars were not painted after construction. So many firms produced so many EKs, both during the war and after. There are a ton of variations out there.

That said, there's no way I would want this cross in my collection. I think the painted core looks lousy - there are so many EKs out there that are of better quality (even 30's and 40's manufactured EKs).

Brian

[stogieman]

And, Agreed!

(With Brian) not a cross I would care to own.