I just acquired this 1870 Iron Cross 2nd Class in Case and wondered what it is worth. I haven't seen another like it being offered on the internet. Thanks.
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Another view of the case. -
You've really got three items in that photo:- A Type A 1870 EK2 that's worth about $700 if good (no guarantee from the photo),
- A non-combatant ribbon that's impossible to judge from the photo supplied but would be worth about $60 if it's actually a 19th C. piece,
- A pre-WWI case for a Prussian Crown Order 3. or 4. Class, which is definitely good and worth about $200 in that condition.
A genuine 1870 EK2 case would be very valuable.Best regards,
Streptile
Looking for ROUND BUTTON 1939 EK1 Spange cases (LDO or PKZ)Comment
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Here are better photos of the Iron CrossComment
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A better photo of the ribbon.Comment
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Very nice original cross. If it were mine I would clean the dried silver polish from the recesses of the core. This detracts in my opinion. Gun oil on a Q-Tip will do it.
The ribbon doesn't have the characteristics I expect to see from a (very uncommon) original 1870-period non-combatant ribbon. It seems to me to be a WWI-era type, but this is very hard to judge without having it in-hand.
In any event you have some nice items in that small lot.Best regards,
Streptile
Looking for ROUND BUTTON 1939 EK1 Spange cases (LDO or PKZ)Comment
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To clean the cross I would just put it under a running hot water tap and gentley clean the silver polish off it with a soft toothbrush. Then pour some boiling hot water over the cross to make it very hot then let dry and then take a blow dryer and blow dry till all the moisture has evaporated from the crossComment
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Originally posted by pzrwest View Post
Not sure if I'd want to be pouring boiling water over anything ... I'd have my concerns with some core paint being removed or damaged.
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1870 Type A EKs aren't painted but blackened, and boiling water wouldn't hurt the blackening. But I wouldn't use water on an 1870 for a different reason: rust. Wouldn't the moisture be a concern?Best regards,
Streptile
Looking for ROUND BUTTON 1939 EK1 Spange cases (LDO or PKZ)Comment
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Shows what I know. Blackened with what though? Not sure I want any medals exposed to boiling water. I'm not sure what the point is. Soft toothbrush and warm water should suffice.Originally posted by streptile View PostComment
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They were blackened with a varnish made from linseed oil, resin, and carbon. After this was brushed on, heating caused the oil to evaporate, leaving the iron cores with a durable, thin matte-black finish.Originally posted by Darrell View Post
I agree that a toothbrush can do the job, but I always use gun oil since it'll remove the polish and protect against rust. It dries totally and is not noticeable.Best regards,
Streptile
Looking for ROUND BUTTON 1939 EK1 Spange cases (LDO or PKZ)Comment
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I wouldn't clean it. But to each its own. I also think $700 is too high for an ek2 1870. I would see it more in the region of $450
Best regards,
MichelComment
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The reason I said use a blow dyer was to evaporate any remaining moisture on the cross(under the beading) that didn't evaporateComment
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