!957 Awards and the 'O' markings

[Okrach]

Are you certain that is an "o" on your Knight's Cross? Looks like a die flaw or a blemish in the finish.

Scott

Hallo Scott,

YES, I am certain about that. I know pics are not well made but I was in hurry. I am 100% positive.

[DavidM]

Hello

I too would agree with what Peter says. His comments agree with what I have been told by some other collectors who specialise purely in the 57 awards.

I know that it is said that the pictures of the RK are not the best, but even so I don't think that mark is anything but either a die flaw or some other accidental mark. In my opinion, the marks on the EK frames are, as already stated, positioning locators, although for whatever reason the frame on the EK2 has been put together upside down. The EK1 mark is there purely because it is using the EK2 frame.

My 57 RK and EKs are the very early type and as such don't have the locator marks on the frames - the EKs both using left over wartime frames and being marked for Willhelm Deumer. I do, however, have a Luftwaffe reconnaissance clasp which carries the 'O' marking.

Based on all I have been told and read, I believe that the 'O' mark is an identifier for S&L.

Regards
David

[DavidM]

Rear of clasp showing the 'O' mark.

[Okrach]

Hello

(...)
I know that it is said that the pictures of the RK are not the best, but even so I don't think that mark is anything but either a die flaw or some other accidental mark. (...)

Hallo, I will try to do some better pics during next weekend. I know they are crappy - mea culpa. If it is the die flaw than let's see another S&L RKs here. I am very curious if we end up with something.

I agree with Peter thesis too - it is very possible one. However, the interesting thing is that the 'O' marks commonly found on the EK II and EK I are INJECTED ones - exactely as the marks on the other badges. In opposite to that the one on RK is STAMPED - perhaps it is supporting the thesis it is a simple die flaw, but maybe not

Just to say I am not stubborn just want to analyse this issue

[DavidM]

Hallo, I will try to do some better pics during next weekend. I know they are crappy - mea culpa. If it is the die flaw than let's see another S&L RKs here. I am very curious if we end up with something.

I agree with Peter thesis too - it is very possible one. However, the interesting thing is that the 'O' marks commonly found on the EK II and EK I are INJECTED ones - exactely as the marks on the other badges. In opposite to that the one on RK is STAMPED - perhaps it is supporting the thesis it is a simple die flaw, but maybe not

Just to say I am not stubborn just want to analyse this issue

Hello

For comparison, here are some shots of my two 57 RKs. One is an early type, magnetic core, silver rims, marked '800' on the top rear arm and exhibiting the so called dent row and die flaws in the beading.

The second is a very late production piece - the one with the really terrible paint work and poor finishing.

Both are by S&L.

Niether of them show the 'O' anywhere on the rims or beading.

Regards
David

[DavidM]

Rear of early S&L RK

[DavidM]

Late version of 57 RK

[DavidM]

Rear of late 57 RK

[Haddock]

I also have one badge have the o marking.

[Leroy]

I, too, have a beautiful, frosted and hand-chased set of the Oakleaves and Swords, which match perfectly the design of the S&L privately-sold wartime pre-LDO sets, with the "O" mark and an "800" silver stamp. I was told when I got them, at least 20 years ago, that the "O" was a government -approved mark for "duplicate". I don't know if this is true, but I can confirm that the
"800" is a stamp and the "O" was contained in the die. The set (which I can't photo because my camera is down!) is really stunning in appearance and is miles away from any I have seen, even with the very early '57 sets. Is there any possibility that the "O" is, in fact, a government (or even guild) approved mark for a duplicate?

[Gregory Koepp]

i have somewhere a old price list and in it along with many of my stick pins i have collected over the years have the "o" and it was a stamp that came out of S&L, in the listing they were on the S&L's only and so i also think i e-mailed them afew years ago and even asked them the question about it? i will see if i can find any of what i am saying but i have always know the mark is from S&L though.

greg koepp