Opinions on Mecklenburg Schwerin FF kreuz 1 class

[Nordman]

Gentlemen

Could I please have your opinions on this FF kreuz, good or bad?

Thanks
Nordman

[Brian L.]

I think it's good, but a post WWI private purchase piece.

[Don D.]

That reverse set up is found on a lot of fakes if I remember correctly.

[Brian L.]

That reverse set up is found on a lot of fakes if I remember correctly.

You could be be right Don. You likely know more than I do about Imperial awards. But, the pin and hinge are very typical of various 1920s awards. The cross-hatching as opposed to the typical pebbling on the arms is consistent in my experience with crosses produced in the 1920s to the 1940s. Even though it isn't marked, I believe it was made by Paul Küst, Berlin based on the hardware. I had one of these in my collection 40 years ago, which is why I feel it is genuine.

[Reichsword]

Is it vaulted ? Just curious.

[Nordman]

Is it vaulted ? Just curious.

I believe it to be slightly vaulted. But I can only judge from the pics since I dont have the cross in my possession.
I am also concerned about the reverse setup. Hence I'm asking here.
But anyway, thank you guys for taking your time and helping me in this matter.
Any further opinions are greatly appreciated.

All the best
Nordman

[Mike Kenny]

My feeling was that it is a pre-45 example and possibly wartime to 20s. The recent fakes all have a similar hinge but round-wire pins (different obverse details from memory as well). This hardware setup looks like that found on the award type of Braunschweiger KVK1s (flat pin type) and later Marine-Brigade von Loewenfeld Ehrenkreuz . Detail looks sharp and it looks heavily vaulted from what I can see. I have a suspicion it was heavily cleaned in the past though as the lack of patina results in a strange "look".

Regards
Mike

[Nordman]

Thank you all for your inputs. I appreciate it.

All the best
Nordman