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**MH184** · 02-01-2010, 09:56 PM

Hi Trevor,

I'd have to say initially I'm not convinced, no. But, could you take a picture please of the underside of the base and the inside of the case.

On the back part of the border that encompasses the bottom half of the base is that some deposit of sorts I can see? Glue perhaps? Can we see that for a closer inspection, also.

And as for glue: why on a case that I would imagine is intended to have the base removed would there be - from what portion of the actual case base I can see - glue smothered all over it??? Perhaps it was for a liner.....as in the Honour Cross and Honour Roll cases have? Although, I have to say I'm more inclined at this moment in time to deem perhaps the glue held down a/the base of the case.

The case......? I couldn't say if it was for some military or civil accoutrement. I couldn't even vouch if it were German. Although, the outer covering is reminiscent of a sorts. For such a little case and this award the proportions and fitting look rather snug for this very award in my opinion (boxes and cartons yes, but a case.....not to my mind), it might however suit the likes of a miniature MK though.

Lets see some more pic's though, please.

KR

Marcus

**streptile** · 02-01-2010, 11:47 PM

You got it, Marcus. I'll snap some extensive photos tomorrow. Thank you!

**blutundehre** · 02-02-2010, 11:58 AM

Don't know about the case, but WOW that is a nice spange.

I would love one of those.

**streptile** · 02-02-2010, 01:28 PM

I wouldn't exactly call these beauty shots, but here we go:

There is an embossed "S" that I didn't see before:

Focus to the rear wall:

Focus to the button and release mechanism:

**DavidM** · 02-02-2010, 03:05 PM

Hello

I'd be inclined to suggest that this is an old case, originally intended for what I don't know, but adapted as a spange case. If you look at the photos, where the glue is, and where there appear to tears or 'lift' in the base, there are no corresponding glue marks or bits of stuck cardboard/papar on the two supports of the base that the spange sits on.

So an old case whose original purpose is unknown, with a replacement inner base and pressed into service as a spange box is my suggestion.

Regards
David

**MH184** · 02-02-2010, 07:41 PM

Thanks for the additional pictures, Trevor.

Right, we do have a base covering then, and the part were the sunken catch is would of course be devoid of glue.

What is odd though that the bottom of the cases is applied with paper, but the outer covering ends are exposed on the inside? I think I can see the paper has been cut symmetrically either side to the shape of the base insert and hence exposing the loose ends of outer covering. Odd?

The material covering of the base insert I would not envisage as the cases original inserts covering; or for that matter is even the base insert? Can I see some white coloured glue on the bottom of the insert? And around the insert, is that perhaps glue that has diffused through the material? If so, there should feel to touch brittle or ''hard'' spots in areas.

The two parallel supports, are they actually wood? They look more like fibre board from the pic's. And what is the white deposit that surrounds them?

Also, there appears to be some rust on the bottom of the very base insert, where I imagine the spring has left such an imprint. The catch is in a recess and the supports are of X height, does it seem plausible the catch is able to skim the insert or rest on it? Try pushing the catch when open, does the mechanism rise at all?

I think it is very likely more than not, as David has already intimated an ''adapted'' case. BUT, as to when is the question!!!

And as to that question: I'm afraid I'm not convinced this is a ''period'' adaption. I'm dubious of so deemed adaptions as it is, but perhaps in my cynical way of thinking this is more a post '45 embellishment than anything. The actual case though, could very well stem from the desired period....I couldn't say with any conviction either way.

KR

Marcus

**streptile** · 02-02-2010, 11:56 PM

Hi Marcus and David. Thanks for the detailed analysis

Quotes below are from Marcus' last post.

I think I can see the paper has been cut symmetrically either side to the shape of the base insert and hence exposing the loose ends of outer covering. Odd?

You are correct there. I guess I thought that the paper was cut like that so that when the insert is in the case, the black would still be visible through the portions of the insert cut out for the ribbon (on the top and bottom of the case), rather than the white backing paper. This effect is best demonstrated in this photo:

As additional evidence, I've noticed the case covering material also has ends glued down along the longer sides of the case bottom (front and back) where the paper covering is not cut around it. No need, as these areas are not visible with the insert in.

And around the insert, is that perhaps glue that has diffused through the material? If so, there should feel to touch brittle or ''hard'' spots in areas.

The glue is all very dark and very brittle that I can see, except the glue that holds the two risers on to the bottom of the insert. That glue is opaque white.

The two parallel supports, are they actually wood? They look more like fibre board from the pic's.

They are pressed cardboard, not wood or fiberboard.

Also, there appears to be some rust on the bottom of the very base insert, where I imagine the spring has left such an imprint.

Correct. The spring does rub against the insert when it's in, just a bit. As can be seen in this photo, the spring is taller than the bottom of the case by a few mm.:

I think it is very likely more than not, as David has already intimated an ''adapted'' case. BUT, as to when is the question!!! And as to that question: I'm afraid I'm not convinced this is a ''period'' adaption. I'm dubious of so deemed adaptions as it is, but perhaps in my cynical way of thinking this is more a post '45 embellishment than anything. The actual case though, could very well stem from the desired period....I couldn't say with any conviction either way.

I would agree with that conclusion. To be honest, there is no doubt in my mind that the case itself is a period German case (could even be an Imperial case, in my opinion). I've encountered enough cases by now to make that judgment, and I'm confident in it. The paper covering the bottom of the case is blacklight dead, as is every other component of the case. However, there are some anomalies that I can't explain away. The opaque white glue is probably the biggest one. The rather snug fit of the case is another. Also not mentioned so far is the lack of a ribbon attached to the underside of the insert and looped up to the top to allow for easy removal of the base. It's something I've seen on every other period case that was designed with a removable insert.

If you guys have anything to add, please do!

For now, I am happy with this conclusion:

This is a period case that was adapted for use as a Spange case sometime after 1939.

I guess that's about all that can be said with confidence. Does that seem fair?

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