S&L RK...sandblasted finish.

[Tom B]

Hello 57' guy's, Well I broke down & took one of my "sandblasted" framed RK's to a jeweler to get tested. I'm happy to report that the 800 marked frame is indeed 800 silver ! It is one I purchased in 1988 at the S&L store in Germany. Also even though these were painted "after" construction, they did such a "neat" job doing so, you have to look very close to be able to tell. So...at least in 1988 they still produced a reasonable quality cross. (of course it's non-magnetic). Just a little S&L history I though may be of interest. Tom

[Tom B]

Hello 57' guy's, Well I broke down & took one of my "sandblasted" framed RK's to a jeweler to get tested. I'm happy to report that the 800 marked frame is indeed 800 silver ! It is one I purchased in 1988 at the S&L store in Germany. Also even though these were painted "after" construction, they did such a "neat" job doing so, you have to look very close to be able to tell. So...at least in 1988 they still produced a reasonable quality cross. (of course it's non-magnetic). Just a little S&L history I though may be of interest. Tom

A little more info: I paid $32.00 w/ribbon, uncased. The cases came from a diff. maker and they told me they were temp. out of stock. It also has the "long" type suspension ring. (unmarked). I have seen these at shows with asking prices of between $175.00/$225.00 uncased. At the last SOS, I looked at a few S&L RK's probably from the "Last" batch's made (I guess late 90's ?) and they were TERRIBLE....very little pride, if any, in production.

[Matthieu]

Hi Tom, any pictures from the disassembled cross ?

[Nigel N]

Hi Tom!!
Thanks for that interesting info!!
It is good to hear that they were still in 800 Silver as marked, and hopefully even the very late pieces were too!
I think its worth noting that even though all the later pieces had the sandblasted frame, some were still better than others and each piece should be judged on its own merits! I know non are going to be up to the standards of the earlier produced pieces, but a piece made in say 1980, will almost certainly be better than one made in 1990 etc!
-Nigel

[Steve 5]

It is indeed great news ! a great piece of detective work Tom, although be it a tad drastic ! I am a fan of these later crosses...they are much underestimated in my view, I have such a cross marked "800" resplendent in box with oaks & crossed swords, I love it ! it sits proudly with its "B" & "C" framed brothers.....and as said its finish is very good, tight soldering and non sloppy paint job.
Prost ! Steve.