Another KVK2, denazified or factory made?

[novara]

Hello,

Another KVK2 to be reviewed, is this is a denazified example or factory finish?

What do you think?

Thanks.

Andrew

[Nigel N]

I would say de-Nazified Andrew!
It looks like the Swastika has been partly or fully removed, the central area filled with solder, and a pointed tool used to make small marks in the solder to imitate the pebbling effect?
The remaining bronze finish in that area doesn't appear to match the original bronze finish, and I would have thought if it was a factory re-worked piece, the whole cross would have had a new all over bronze finish applied.
-Nigel

[novara]

Hello Nigel,

Thanks. I suppose this must have been done after 1957 because they tried to imitate the design of the 1957 version style. Possibly it was cheaper to denazify an award than to buy a 57er? Is there any information about how much these awards sold for?

Thanks.

Andrew

[Nigel N]

Hello Andrew!!
I have no information on the pricing of this type of conversion.....
Some were probably done by the veteran himself, but others look to be more likely a "professional" type of de-Nazification.
I've seen several different forms, but this type, like the one you showed, has been seen before, I guess if the veteran took his wartime award t a jeweller or similar, the conversion could be done for very little money, would save buying a "new" 57er, and he would still have his original award piece, even if it had changed a bit!!!
-Nigel

[speedytop]

Hi,

these are the prices of "Originalorden" = 57er decorations from a price list of the Kleiderkasse für die Bundeswehr (KKBw).

Uwe