A Nicely Frosted and Cased EKI

[Mike Yokum]

Interesting. The white cream inlet material is identical it known TR examples. I'm not saying that makes the entire case good, but that portion of it is pretty much right on.

[streptile]

Whoa! Breathtaking example.

Is this not the type we sometimes refer to as a 'Souval' (in quotation marks) like this one? I'm curious about Peter's comment that it is an S+L. While I know that the 'Souval's' used S+L-type cores, I was under the impression that this pin setup was a Souval-type, and that consequently these 57er EK1s were considered possible Souvals.

On another note: When I was considering buying a 57er EK1 (actually the same one linked to above), I asked around for some opinions on the case it came with. I was told (by a trusted authority) that the case was no good as authentic cases from or the 1957 EK1 had no push-button or catch. Originals apparently resembled wartime so-called halb-etuis. Since then I have avoided buying any supposedly authentic 1957-era EK1 case with a push-button/catch mechanism.

Perhaps we could get a consensus on whether or not this is overly restrictive?

Or, to put it another way:

If a 1957-period EK1 case has a push-button/catch machanism, and the case is certainly not a leftover wartime example, is it necessarily bad (fake)?

But back to the subject at hand...

A superb EK1, Mike! Congratulations and thank you for the excellent photos.

[ekhunter]

I've got a wartime cross marked 4 on the pin with very similiar hardware. I'll check when I get home to see if it is exactly the same. Wouldn't a Souval made 57 cross, use Souval frames? I believe that they did have frames left over after the war.

[Nigel N]

hi Mike, beautiful cross, burnishing and frosting second to non!!
I see the S & L / Souval debate goes on its certainly an S & L frame & core but thats a Souval pin, so one maker must have purchased parts from another?
The case, i dont think looks like a wartime example, but it certainly looks to have age to it, i dont know if "all" 57 made cases were of the halb-etui type, i personally dont think they had that much conformity!!
Anyhoo, a cracking EK1....nuff said -Nigel

[Matthieu]

Damn Mike, I'm still seeing stars from looking at that frame ... Great looking cross & damn fine addition.

[Mike Yokum]

I see the S & L / Souval debate goes on its certainly an S & L frame & core but thats a Souval pin, so one maker must have purchased parts from another?

Yes, it does indeed!

I based my initial comment as to maker on the hardware. After further review and correction it does appear to be an S&L frame but that sure looks like what we've been calling Souval hardware.

Thanks to all for the nice comments. Really nice and early pieces have been a bit hard to come by lately. It's good to add a fine piece like this to ones lineup. Thanks again!

[streptile]

I've got a wartime cross marked 4 on the pin with very similiar hardware. I'll check when I get home to see if it is exactly the same.

Please do post your findings here, as this could be a very important piece of evidence in this mystery. If you indeed have a '4' marked 1939 EK with this exact hardware, we could perhaps conclude that this type (shown here by Mike) is not a Souval, but an S+L as its core and frame would lead us to believe. Right?

Also of interest to this debate is this thread, in which WAF member Douglas5 notes some differences between two types of reverse EK1 hardware. Whether either is Souval is not something I can't really say at the moment.

Also, I am still after an answer to this question and would really love to hear some more thoughts. Peter?

If a 1957-period EK1 case has a push-button/catch machanism, and the case is certainly not a leftover wartime example, is it necessarily bad (fake)?

Another way of asking the same question is:

Do any genuine 1957 EK1 cases have button/catch mechanisms?

Mike, I love this cross and, if I were not so confused, I'd say the case was a good one. It certainly looks like it belongs to the cross, but (as we all know) that doesn't mean much in this hobby.

[ekhunter]

Monkey Wrench???

I checked my late war S&L marked 4, and the pin is very similiar to the one in this thread, but the hardware/pin is different, especially the clasp. So next I pulled out my pinback Souval, and I stand corrected, because the hardware is exactly like the cross in question. So, an S&L cross, with Souval hardware? You got me on this one, but it's one that is very intriguing, and one I wouldn't mind having myself. Another one to add to the wish list. Very nice find Mike!

[DavidM]

Hello

A really great S&L (from the front) EK Mike

I've seen this type of case before, and if I remember correctly these are good quality reproduction WW2 cases made during the 1970's and 1980's.

As I understand it, the early 57 EK cases come in one of two forms. First is the late war halbetui case - and these are full WW2 made, left over stock.
The second type is a plastic case, with either a base with an imitation fabric lining (which feels sort of 'plasticy') and a foam inner lid insert, or a foam base and . These come with a white/yellowish or black coloured base. The lid insert will match the inner base colour. The cases themselves have no push buttons. These cases can found with EK1s, KVK 1st Class and DKs in them, suggesting that it was a generic case, in much the same way that the late WW2 halbetui ones were.

I have two such cases in my collection, and I'll dig out my photos of them later and post here.

Regards
David

[George L]

I'd wager that not all cases were without push buttons. One needs to only look at RK's that have 57's in them...I've never seen one without a push button latch mechanism. Just trying to dry a line between the two.

[Mike Yokum]

Here's a word from Allan Pilch on the CASE.

Pretty good news to me!

[streptile]

Nice, Mike.

The fitted slot for the pin and the imprint of the EK on the upper lid of the case make it look to me like it a) was built for this EK or b) at least has always housed it. I mean, the pin recess is an exact negative of the pin, hinge and catch itself.

I would be very happy with this case, personally.

[Nigel N]

Nice, Mike.

The fitted slot for the pin and the imprint of the EK on the upper lid of the case make it look to me like it a) was built for this EK or b) at least has always housed it. I mean, the pin recess is an exact negative of the pin, hinge and catch itself.

I would be very happy with this case, personally.

I'll second that Trevor, the case and cross look to be from the same period to me, it looks good in there!! -Nigel

[Mike Yokum]

I'll second that Trevor, the case and cross look to be from the same period to me, it looks good in there!! -Nigel

Thanks gents!

It's a home run in any ballpark in my humble opinion! I really couldn't be much happier with the set.

AND I just can't resist posting a couple more pics of this little darlin'.

It's got pretty good detail to the core. The paint is not too thick on this one.

[Mike Yokum]

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