1914 ek1 'ko'

[Tom Yanacek]

Hi guys,

I won this salty old, 'KO' marked 1914 EK1 in a recent auction. The cross is slightly vaulted and heavily patinated. The cross measures 43.09mm square and it weighs 16.7 grams. I think it measures slightly smaller than the usual 'KO' because of the vault.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

I went and put a few drops of oil around the '1914' date and scrubbed it lightly with a toothbrush. It easily removed the white substance that was caked around the date. I think it looks better now.

"before" on left and "after" on right:

[Tom Yanacek]

hinge, catch & maker marking:

[Dansson]

I like how it is worn, mint is nice but worn crosses are the nicest!

[Tom Yanacek]

I like how it is worn, mint is nice but worn crosses are the nicest!

Thank you, Dansson. I like pieces that saw the action too.

Best regards,
Tom

[morel5000]

Nice KO. This type was my first complete ek1 I ever bought. Still got it and got a nice case for it.

[pzrwest]

The white residue in my mind is the remains of some silver polish like Silvo or Brasso had been used at one time to polish the silver frame and was never brushed with a tooth brush after the polish was removed only with a cloth. I'm assuming the core of this cross is a stamped steel core and the vaulting was done by the recipient

[StevenR]

Nice KO...not in perfect conditions, but has got a lot of character

Stefano

[Tom Yanacek]

Thank you!

Thanks for the additional comments, Michel, pzrwest, and Stefano.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

The white residue in my mind is the remains of some silver polish like Silvo or Brasso had been used at one time to polish the silver frame and was never brushed with a tooth brush after the polish was removed only with a cloth. I'm assuming the core of this cross is a stamped steel core and the vaulting was done by the recipient

Hello,

I think you are right about the silver polish residue. And it looks like there is still some residue in the maker marking. The polishing must have been done quite a while ago from looking at how the tarnish has developed since.

Yes! The core is stamped iron and magnetic. As far as the vaulting goes, I am not sure. I know that these KOs were usually flat, except for the occasional screwback types. But this one looks like it was done uniformly and very neatly. There is no lifting of the beaded frame at the center and no visible tool marks. If it was done by the recipient, he did a meticulous job of it. Possibly a factory or jeweler modification?

Best regards,
Tom

[morel5000]

Hi Tom,

I had 3 KO's all flat. I don't think that there where any KO screw back types.
I would say hand vaulting by the owner.

But can you post a side pic, so we can see the vaulting?

Thanks,
Michel

[Tom Yanacek]

Hi Tom,

I had 3 KO's all flat. I don't think that there where any KO screw back types.
I would say hand vaulting by the owner.

But can you post a side pic, so we can see the vaulting?

Thanks,
Michel

Hi Michel,

An example of a 'KO' marked, vaulted screwback EK1 can be seen here:
Perhaps jeweler modified to screwback configuration?

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ht=1914+EK1+KO

I will try and take some pictures showing the vault.

Best regards,
Tom

[morel5000]

Hi Tom,

thanks for the link. That is a later modification at best IMO. The pics unfortunately don't show the back without discs.

Kind regards,
Michel

[Tom Yanacek]

But can you post a side pic, so we can see the vaulting?

Hi Michel,

Okay! I took some pictures that I hope will show the vault. They did not come out that great and my camera batteries died before I could get some better images. Hopefully these will suffice. If not, then I will try again later.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

If this cross was vaulted haphazardly, I would expect these inner, beaded-rim corners to pop upwards, away from the core. As it is, the rims at these corners are still down against the core where even a thin piece of paper won't slip under.