Shiny EK1, 1957

[Krullies]

Hello everyone,

As I'm not sure what I have here, so I'm politely asking for your opinions on the item below. It took me a bit of Forman'ing to find out about denazification and post war issues of war medal replacements. As far as I can tell, it has no maker number anywhere. Does it tell anything to anyone of you guys perhaps?









Very best regards,
Karin-Renate

[DavidM]

Hello

The photos are not very clear, (any chance of some close, full face on, clear and without glare shots and a side on shot showing the whole of the hinge block?), but this looks like an S&L made new form EK. Is the core magnetic and the hinge block solid? If so it may come from the mid to late 1960's. I will, however, reserve final thoughts for better photos/mor information.

Regards
David

[Matthieu]

Hi Karin-Renate,

I would have to agree with David, S&L made. But do check if the block hinge is solid & if magnetic or not.

BTW ... nice to see a lady in the 1957 section .

[Peter Wiking]

That is a Steinhauer & Lück. It looks like it could be an early cross manufactured well within the first 5 years.

Peter

[Nigel N]

hi Karin-Renate, this looks like a nice early EK1, i'd think early 60's, and certainly by Steinhauer & Luck!! any more 57ers to show??? -Nigel

[Mike Yokum]

Hello Karin,

Welcome to the 57er forum! Nice and early cross.

[old siagon]

Hi Karin,

I do not see any photos? Will you be reposting them?
Vince

[Krullies]

Thank you!!

Hi guys,

Thanks for the warm welcome The response is overwhelming! I'm grateful OK, so, this might be original! That is VERY good news!

...
The photos are not very clear, (any chance of some close, full face on, clear and without glare shots and a side on shot showing the whole of the hinge block?), but this looks like an S&L made new form EK. Is the core magnetic and the hinge block solid? If so it may come from the mid to late 1960's. I will, however, reserve final thoughts for better photos/mor information.
...

I'll make some additional pictures tonight. I don't have any good lighting at home, so I asked a colleague if I could borrow her halogen lamp, that thing is like a portable sun, it is amazing how much light it gives, maybe that helps.

...But do check if the block hinge is solid & if magnetic or not....

Good point. The block hinge, is that the part where the pin is attached to, or the part where the pin is put under in order to fasten it? I'll give the results with the new pictures, thanks!

That is a Steinhauer & Lück. It looks like it could be an early cross manufactured well within the first 5 years.

Peter

Wow, what gave it away? You guys know everything :-) Thanks!

hi Karin-Renate, this looks like a nice early EK1, i'd think early 60's, and certainly by Steinhauer & Luck!! any more 57ers to show??? -Nigel

Hi Nigel, I don't know if more 1957 material pops up. This was a surprise to me as well :-) If anything turns up, I'll certainly share it with all of you!

Hello Karin,

Welcome to the 57er forum! Nice and early cross.

Thank you Mike! I didn't know if it actualy was anything genuine, or worthwile :-)

Hi Karin,
I do not see any photos? Will you be reposting them?
Vince

Hi Vince,

I didn't remove any pictures, they're in one "my" albums here at Wehrmacht Awards. Maybe Wehrmacht took them off temporarily? I see them from my part of the digital world ... Anyway, more (and better) images will be added later on today. Maybe that helps.

Very best regards,
Karin-Renate

[Krullies]

More pictures

Hi guys,

I have some new pictures. I used the sun itself for lighting, I suppose natural daylight is best for close ups. Well, I hope so, at least.

Regarding the cross being magnetic; it responds to a magnet. It attracts at one angle, and seems to push it away a bit when I turn it. Although the cross can not carry a paperclip, it can however carry lots of staples! Its fun to see, actually. What is this magnetism thing anyway? What is it supposed to be like? Should you be able to hang nails from it? Or should it just stick to a magnet, like iron does?

The new pictures coming up. I hope they give an ample look at the hinge ... is it any good? That hinge?











Very best regards,
Karin-Renate

[Matthieu]

Hello again Karin-Renate,

What you have there is a nice, original, early, but dirty 1957 S&L made EK1 . The pix now clearly show the full block hinge & hook shaped catch. With magnetic, we just mean that the center of the EK1 is made of magnetic material and therefore a magnet snaps onto it.

Personally, I would not clean it ... This EK1 just oozes "personality" and still has lovely frosting on the back ! Nice find .

[Nigel N]

hi Karin-Renate, Mathys has summed this one up well, its perhaps not the most attractive looking cross, but it more than makes up for that by being a good, early piece, the sort that 57 collectors like!!! -Nigel

[Krullies]

Yeeeeeh!

...What you have there is a nice, original, early, but dirty 1957 S&L made EK1 . ...

Jippeeeee Thank you Matthieu That is exciting news! This news made my day that much brighter

...With magnetic, we just mean that the center of the EK1 is made of magnetic material and therefore a magnet snaps onto it.

Ah, OK, I think I get it. It is not magnetic itself then, but if a magnet is near, it will pull it in. This here cross can "carry"some very light iron thingies, but that may be because I held it near the back of a loud speaker It was the only magnet I could think of. Perhaps that magnet is a bit too greedy, and it rubbed some of its magnetism on to the iron core?

...Personally, I would not clean it ... This EK1 just oozes "personality" and still has lovely frosting on the back ! Nice find .

I suggested cleaning a cross a couple of weeks ago, and I got slapped on the wrist for even thinking about cleaning, so I wouldn't dare to start cleaning something without knowing what I'm doing, which I obviously don't, but I'm learning Still, how would one clean something like this? Silver polish? Green soap? Just a dry cloth? Vinegar on cotton balls? Again; I won't touch it! Really. I'm just curious.

Very best regards,
Karin-Renate

[DavidM]

Hello

As has been said, a nice early S&L made new form EK1

Regards
David

[Krullies]

Hi Nigel

...but it more than makes up for that by being a good, early piece, the sort that 57 collectors like!!! ...

Thanks Nice signature, by the way, nifty line from a great song

Hi David,

...As has been said, a nice early S&L made new form EK1 ...

What does "new form" mean? The cross without swastika, or does the new form cover more alterations? I believe I have read somewhere that 1957 crosses were also banned by German law? Why was that? And what exactly was illegal about it? Or am I mistaking? Are the nazi versions the only crosses that got banned?

Very best regards,
Karin-Renate

[DavidM]

Hello

The term 'New Form' is simply used to describe the pieces that were authorised under the terms of the 1957 laws. From 1945 the swastika and other symbols associated with the Nazi regime were banned - I believe the terminology is that they became proscribed instruments. With the formation of the then West German government, and the establishment of the Bunderswher (the new armed forces of West German) the 1957 laws came about (hence the term 57 pieces/items) which allowed the wearing of medals and awards from WW2, but only those items appearing on the official list and only in the new form, that is with new cores or slight redesigns to remove swastikas etc - hence the term, 'New Form' that I use here. The 57 or new form items were never awarded or issued, (anyone could buy them, even back in 1957 but if you wanted to wear the piece you had show entitlement to the original WW2 version), they were merely a replacement piece, but in the acceptable 'new form' design.

Regards
David