Help Please Screwback S&L 57 DKiG On Dealers Site

[DavidM]

Hello

I've just seen this 57 DKiG on a dealers site, which is described as:

A rare screwback example of the German Cross in gold 1957 type. The cross appears to be constructed from wartime parts as the silver star and gun metal star both appear to be wartime Steinhauer & Luck manufacture. The screwback attachment has been placed to the centre of the cross with an anti rotation pin fitted to the top. The construction shows that it was put together as a screwback and not a conversion. All in all a very nice addition to any 1957 collection. The quality is near mint and superb.

To see the cross follow the link below and view Item D1264:

http://www.thirdreichmedals.com/new.html

What do you think of this one? Is it ok? As you all know, I really like these 57 items and am contemplating buying this, but having no reference points for screwback 57 pieces any help would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

Regards
David

[Franco]

Hi David,
An early cross,yes.But is it worth four times the price of a pin back?
And why is it a screw back,when they were designed for active service.I woudnt buy it.
Regards Franco

[DavidM]

Hello

Thanks for that Franco. I must admit the price got me thinking about it very carefully. I assume that the dealers reasoning behind the price is that this is one of the less common, very early types - I have one but with the S&L type pin, hinge and catch which is seen on what may be their wartime produced DKs, (although many feel that S&L DKs are a product post war), and if this is a genuine screwback version then it is, to me, a very interesting piece. The screwdisc aside, from I what I can make out in the scans it certainly appears to match up to my other very early S&L DK.

Why a screwback? Given that the 57 pieces were permitted for wear on by vetrans of WW2 now serving in the Bundeswher, and given that the full version, from what I know, tended to only be worn on dress or parade uniform, then a screwback system would ok. During WW1 and WW2 many different awards used screwback devices - and they were worn on active service in preference to the more easily dislodged pin types.

Regards
David

[Peter Wiking]

The cross is of early manufacturing, original and made like this as a screwback from Steinhauer & Lück. The antispin peg has probably been placed there at a later date. I would not look at that as a problem though. In my eyes a perfectly legit good quality 1957 piece.

Peter

[George L]

I'd agree with Peter on this being a legit, early S&L piece. Not sure when it was setup for the screwback, though.

[DavidM]

Hello

Thanks to all for their replies, and for confirming my opinion that it is a genuine early S&L DK.

Regards
David