Weeding out fakes

[Miro O]

I just don't know about this one. I can't remember ever seeing another with this style core...

Here is one WW1 type EK2 1870 with this style of the core, that I have in my reference folder. You can see the date is completely different.

[Miro O]

Another WW1 1870er. This one with question mark, but looks to be Deumer.

[Tim C]

Thanks Miro, looking less and less likely for mine to be good. Appreciate the pics, a good reference to have

cheers,

Tim

[Tim C]

Hi all, I have 5 more for you to have a look at

1. CD 800
2. M-?
3. KO
4. SW
5. Mini (25.3mm x 25.3mm)

Again, thanks for taking the time to confirm the originality of these.

Cheers, Tim

[Tim C]

2.

[Tim C]

3.

[Tim C]

4.

[Tim C]

5.

[streptile]

Hey Tim,

Love your solution to fakes.

No. 5 is bad, the so-called stepped-side Prinzen fake. You could it up on eBay listed as a repro and see what you get. Some people do like these and it could bring $50.

All the others are good, and no. 4 is desirable because it has a so-called "Type B14" core, which means it has the same design as the 1870 Type B core, but with the date 1914.

[Tim C]

Super, thanks very much for the opinion and info. Getting better....4 from 5. Just wish it was the 1870's that were OK and the '14 EK2's that were bad...
Live and learn. It's been good to get some solid info around these, hopefully helps new collectors to not make similar mistakes.

Cheers, Tim

[fsee]

Stepped Cores

I have seen many stepped cores on 1870 prinzens and on 1813 EKII's. Can someone explain in detail why it is believed that stepped cores should be considered fakes. Are you saying they are outright fakes, or simply that many of the jewelers used stepped cores when they made 1813 and 1870 display or collectors copies, or replacements way after the normal issue periods?

It bugs me when people state that this or that piece is a "fake" when it is simply a piece made way after that war period? I've seen 1813 and 1870 crosses in the catalogues of well known German jewelers on into the 1930's. Feel free to correct me if there is another term or explanation, but I think it confuses some issues when we come on the forum and just say "It's a fake" when it my be a high quality copy made and sold by German jewelers. Maybe I am not being clear or misunderstanding what is written. I'm not trying to be argumentative, just asking for more clarity.

[streptile]

Sorry if I was unclear.

That prinzen is a well-known fake called "the stepped-core fake." I didn't mean to suggest that all step-cored EKs are fake.

For more info on the stepped-core fake prinzens (which come in 1813, 1870 and 1914 versions in both classes and with half a dozen different fake makers marks and silver contents, half-sized and thee-quarter sized versions, and 1813 full-size versions) you can search this forum, where they have been extensively discussed. Also there are excellent threads on GMIC.

[fsee]

1870 Prinzen, Stepped

No problems, I may have misinterpreted what I read. I bought one of those 1870 Prinzens about 10 or so years ago, from an eBay seller whose name must not be spoken. I should have known.... Unfortunately, after a long time out on the market, I finally sold it to another unsuspecting buyer.

On to another topic...I watched the youtube video snuck into this thread by morel5000 I loved the first one, at least the animated part. The music was a second rate knockoff of an old Beatles tune. It made me feel very young again. Getting towards the end of it, I began to feel old...really, really old. Heh, heh.

[gregM]

Doug,
Here is a good thread about the "stepped core" or "small crown" fake.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...wn+fake&page=2