1914 ek2

[Tom Yanacek]

Hi guys,

I bought this 1914 EK2 yesterday at a gun show. It was sold to me as a reproduction for $15, but I think it is actually a late war original. The cross reminds me of those made by KO, although the only marking on the suspension ring is an 800 silver-content number.

This cross was a mess when I bought it yesterday. Someone had sloppily re-painted the core and glossed over the entire cross with clear lacquer. I brought it home and soaked it in lacquer thinner. The modern gloss coat and black paint immediately lifted off. The core did not have much original finish left so I chemically darkened it with gun bluing.

The frame beading looks a bit weak on some places of the lower cross arm, but I still don't feel this cross is a reproduction. Maybe excessive polishing softened some detail or maybe the production die was dirty or wearing out.

So what do you guys think? Original cross or reproduction? Thank you for any and all responses.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

The only marking on the suspension ring is an '800' silver content number:

[Mike Kenny]

An original cross, no issues on that front. Excellent price. I was thinking the core looked blued and then I read your comment. So, messed with, restored, messed with again. It does look nice now but I hope the next (or subsequent) owner does not pass it off as a genuine blued core example!

Regards
Mike

[SCOTT G]

Greetings Tom,

Even with the heavy ware on the inner corners it does indeed look to be an '800' marked 'KO'. Frame corners match and the frame also has the 'off centre' frame strike.

Nice find at a great price, well done. Like Mike my only concern is how the cross could be marketed in the future, I have removed modern paint from the odd EK2 in the past but only ever left them with what ever remained of the original core coating. These of course I intend to take with me to the grave.

Regards,
Scott

[pzrwest]

I would have removed the new paint and coating but left it with what was left of the original paint. I assume that you did check to see if the core was magnetic

[Tom Yanacek]

Thank you!

Hi guys,

Thanks for the responses, Mike, Scott, and pzrwest. I appreciate all of your comments and I did expect to take some flak about bluing the core. I respect your point-of-view very much but, at the same time, I am happy with how the cross looks now.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

I assume that you did check to see if the core was magnetic

Yes, indeed! That was the first thing I did. The core is iron and magnetic.

Best regards,
Tom

[SCOTT G]

Hi Tom,

No 'Flak' intended ,I think you have done a nice job. The cross had already been missed with and you've made a great effort to fix what was described as a crude job, so . Blueing the core was probably the best choice to re colour it, though as mentioned it comes with future risks.

I would really like to see any before photos if you have them

BR,
Scott

[Tom Yanacek]

I would really like to see any before photos if you have them

Hi Scott,

Sorry, but I did not take any before photos. I meant to do so, but I was so anxious to restore this cross that I dropped it in lacquer thinner as soon as I got it home. It was really a mess, though. Paint was slopped onto the beaded frame and the clear coat gave the whole cross a plastic-like look. I must say, though, that the clear lacquer sure kept the silver frame from tarnishing.

Best regards,
Tom

[Rommel1933]

Really looks good Tom! It is good to have a medal or two like this in the collection that has a story behind it..

Scott