EK1 a 1957?

[Kelly w]

Hello, I'm interested in buying this 1914 Ek1. I'm told it's a 1957. The seller does not agree. Could it be that metal is not silver and the solder marks not as should be?

What points this one out as a 1957 and not a 1914 made?

Or point me to any info on 1957 Ek1's

Thanks
Kelly

[Kelly w]

1

[LuckyLuudje]

It is not a 1957 award but a postwar copy.
Looking at the characteristics I guess that it has been in the mid or end of the sixties.
So that would make it post ww1 as well as post ww2.

At best it could be that this cross was bought by someone together with 1957 awards as a "replacement copy".

[Nigel N]

Hi Kelly! Luud is quite right, there are no "1957" versions of Imperial awards, the 1957 regulations only covered new designs of Third Reich awards that had the banned swastika!
Having said that, veterans still needed to replace their old Imperial awards from time to time, and medals like EK's were produced well into the 60's! They just should'nt be classed as "57"ers
Your EK1 has certain characteristics that look like S & L 1960's production, i have an S & L EK with very similar hardware, but in the "57" style, but mine has the earlier thin catch, solid hingeblock and magnetic core! Yours has the same looking pin, the hinge looks like it could be of the later "open" type, do you have a sideview of the hingeblock? and is the core magnetic?
There are some fakes around that are pretending to be Imperial originals, but look very similar to 60's replacement pieces, so you have to be careful!!!
-Nigel
PS one thing is sure it is not a 1914/18 original!!!!!nono.gif

[Kelly w]

Thanks for your input. Now the seller is sending it for authentication lol.

Kelly

[DavidM]

Hello Kelly

The EK shown here is a replacement one, made for veterans of WW1. The rear set up, that is the pin, hinge, catch and the material used to make the rear section are typical of those found on the new form, 57 items, suggesting that this is one dating from perhaps the 1960s. However, it is not a new form 57 item.

Production of the Imperial 1914 EKs started with the commencement of WW1, and continued without a break right through to the late 1960s/early 1970s. Manufacturers catologues through the 1920s, 30s, 40s and so on all featured the full array of Imperial EKs, and these were available to any eligible veteran. Post WW2, the Imperial EKs were still made as there was still a small demand for replacments from WW1 veterans, although by now production was greatly reduced - and that is what this EK is, a post WW2 made replacement 1914 EK1. As the WW1 EKs never featured the swastika, they were never banned nor required redesigning, as was the case for the WW2 EKs, and so, as already mentioned, it is not a new form 57 item per se, but it does carry characteristic features seen on new form 57 (WW2) EKs.

Just to give you an idea of of the style and quality of a 1914/18 period Imperial EK, I have attached photos of a Godet made piece from my collection. Rear fittings range from pins through to some very exotic and ingenious devices. Please note, this cross, (the frames that is), along with very many made during the period, is made from real silver.

Regards
David

[DavidM]

Rear components

[Kelly w]

Yes thank you very much. You have confirmed now what other WAF members have said.

I think now the seller realizes that it is not a 1914. The silver is a big give away. He said he found them in with his Grandfathers things from WW1 and assumed it was 1914. I told him, just because it was in a Vet's things doesn't prove it to be original.

But I don't want to spend anymore time on this cross as the seller says he may not sell them now. I was only wanting them to flip for a profit.

Thanks
Kelly

[streptile]

I have attached photos of a Godet made piece from my collection.

Holy Mother, that is the best Godet I have ever seen. I am extremely envious.