EK11 WW1 and Post War

[sabre]

I'm looking to buy a WW1 EK11 what is the difference between a WW1 made cross compared to a post war one if any.

[Jesse]

Weeelll, more knowledgeable people than me will be along, but the truth is maybe none.

Post war crosses can be private purchase versions, purchased to replace a lost or damaged one, an upgrade to a nicer more "flashy" version or an awarded piece not given over or collected during the war. Large numbers were awarded for service in the war well into the early 1920's, these are "awarded" officially.

Anything purchased after this period is private purchase. A wearers copy, second piece. These pieces go up to and beyond WW2 but all pre 45 pieces are considered genuine, but not awarded. Quality and materials change roughly from the mid 30's onwards, these ones are easy to identify when you know what you are looking at.

I have over simplified this response and I am sure guys with more detail will come along shortly. Spend some time looking over the forum and join up. You will learn a lot and it will be the best money you spend if you start collecting.

Jesse

[Valter Gorenc]

Indeed, a subject can be much complicated, or more simple one. Here's a very useful thread with links to EK's from different manufacturers, where you can see and study the vast array of variants, both "official" (awarded) or private purcase pieces.


http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=263078

Perhaps the most common maker is KO. As a rough guide, one can assume that early-war pieces have cast iron (casted in sand mould) core, while later and post-war cores are die-struck.

[sabre]

Ok thanks but how do you identify cast iron sand moulded crosses.

[sabre]

Also do makers marks or absence of, silver content marks and size of cross give any indication of manufacture date or private purchase crosses.

[Dansson]

Hello,

the cast core has usally an uneven surface and the non-cast core like most the most of the 1939 crosses have a smooth surface with paint. I picked some pictures which are quite clear to spot the difference

Hope it helps

[sabre]

Ok thanks for that.

[gregM]

Also do makers marks or absence of, silver content marks and size of cross give any indication of manufacture date or private purchase crosses.

We assume that a silver content stamp on 1st class crosses indicates that
the piece was private purchase. That might carry through to 2nd class crosses as well.
But the truth is we do not know that for sure.

[sabre]

We assume that a silver content stamp on 1st class crosses indicates that
the piece was private purchase. That might carry through to 2nd class crosses as well.
But the truth is we do not know that for sure.

Yes that does make sense.

[Steve Campbell]

We assume that a silver content stamp on 1st class crosses indicates that
the piece was private purchase. That might carry through to 2nd class crosses as well.
But the truth is we do not know that for sure.

Including CD800?

[gregM]

I don't know.

[sabre]

Including CD800?

This site reckons the 800 Marked crosse's are the early one's ?.

http://www.worldwar1.com/sfgcross.htm

[Chris Boonzaier]

This site reckons the 800 Marked crosse's are the early one's ?.

http://www.worldwar1.com/sfgcross.htm

Hi, that dates from 1997, i think knowledge has made a big jump forward since them. However, having said that, even after Wernitz, there is still a lot unknown...

[streptile]

In my opinion 800-marked EKs can be either late award types or private purchase types.

The early award-type EKs have no silver content stamp.

[sabre]

Brought my EK11 looked at lots of pics of different makers and decided to go for a for a Godet as i liked the crisp detailing on it.