Colored EK1 Cases:

[Douglas 5]

Searching to see how much now is known about colored EK1 cases .

Over the last 10 to 15 years new understanding regards colored cases has been achieved . The Number Coding for the intended award type being re-determined . At the start some original thought being that these colored cases were acidental color batches .... thinking of the darkgreen/blackish casses ... or over time envirometal induced color changes .. etc .
A few questions I had :
a) Looking over colored cases I could find ... one company seams to be the dominant maker of these : 621.KB. Some were not mentioned or not determined .... Are there other makers ???
b) Time frame of production ; Comparing them to the black cases I have of the 621.KB. marking .... a large range of incerts with differnt flocking , materials and quality range . Is it correct to say that colored cases were not a one time made case but produced continualy throught the war ? I choose 3 cases - same maker - with different ' surface design ' . Also green: medium short button - black: long skinny button and blue : fat button with ring . Green and blue cases- domed and flat- are found with 'squere' buttons , round buttons with and without a metal ring .... war progression cut backs ?
c) Different colors/shades of green and blue( I think a red case was mentioned some where? ) .... are these differences only between manufacturers ? I could not get or find markings for these .
d) Any certain purpose or reason for these 'colors' ?? The low numbers could indicate special use . Unmarked LDO cases , non military branches , by gender , or by department... like Vets green and blue Navy etc ... just throwing some thoughts around .
e) The green cases have a strong associating with 65 K&Q . Was this a special order ? ...and they are juat abit larger too ... do we know why ?
f) Lid markings : same maker with a few different cross stamps ! Green with the thick border Iron Cross lid stamp , black with all 3 types and blue with the 'A' symetrical thin lid stamp . Blue : a bit larger, almost straight arms and in this case horizontaly mis-aligned inside cross points .... !! Some thing I did not notice until I had this side by side picture !

I know a lot of questions .... unless there is a book that covers all or most of this .

Thanks, Douglas

[kokstok]

Hi Douglas,

the KB numbers represent the type of award so all the EKI cases made by KB bears the 612 number. ie woundbadges have 629, Luftwaffe observer 626.

I think this thread is very intersting:
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...2&highlight=kb

[Douglas 5]

I have seen these designation numbers .
Just wondering about more than one maker of colored cases and if they were made during the entire war or not .

Douglas

[Allan P.]

Interesting subject, which has been touched on before.

My observations, thoughts are:-

1. Probabaly more that one manufacturer. I only suggest that as I can't imagine a supplier having a monopoly on production. However the coloured cases are rare, so the fact that not so many were produced would again suggest limited runs of production?

2. It's been said that the coloured cases were originally black cases that have discoloured over time. I don't agree with that, any discolouration I'm sure would be 'blotchy' patchy.

3. Were the coloured cases produced so that retailers could put EK1 into them and sell to particular members of the armed forces? Blue for Luft & Marine, Green for Heer? Good sales pitch!!

4. The green cases are often found with a '65' marked EK1 in them. Were K&Q authorised for some reason to provide a limited edition run of EK1 in green cases for special presentation, maybe for customs personal?

Just my personal opinions.

Allan

[Douglas 5]

Thanks Allan ;
1) You say - 'probably' to more than one maker : Have any other color cases than 621.KB. been found yet ? Only ask this as there are different shades of green and blue colored cases found - to which no markings have been mentioned or made public .
3a) Why are green cases a bit larger than any other cases ?
3b) Are there any colored cases found without stamped crosses on the tops or with LDO on the inside ?
3c) Small batches made through out the entire war .... so this accounts for the 'dwindling'/changing hardware and different materials used .

Cheers, Douglas

[Allan P.]

Hi Doug,

I wish I could answer your questions, but as far as I am aware the information just isn't out there. Maybe one day.

As far as we are aware there isn't any information, not even names of the company's that made the cases. A lot of conjecture but no facts.

I understand that Angola is in favour of coloured cases being allocated to different arms of the Wehrmacht which sounds plausible.

I will have to have a look at the coloured cases I have but would be surprised if they had different markings than standard black EK1 cases.

And don't forget black EK1 & EK11 cases come in all types of sizes, so I wouldn't consider the green case being larger of any significance to be honest.

I can't recall whether the coloured cases are LDO stamped, will have to look. Are yours?

Good old Marcus was working on a book about cases and packets, whether he had found any information on this subject I don't know.

We will just have to wait for Marcus to come back on the scene.

Allan

[Douglas 5]

Hi Allan :
Was hoping for more new info about colored cases ..... hardly much change from a few years back . Over half a million EK1 probably issued in a case and the makers are still a mistery .
Now of the colored cases I have non are LDO marked .
The 'A-Symemtrical' outside lid stamped iron cross - which I have on the blue case - I do not have on any of my black cases ? I do not have many black cases so just wondering if some one has that stamp on any of theirs ?
If I understand this correctly ... no colored cases without a lid iron cross have been found yet ? And also no ' N ' numbered cases either ?
Something I would point out and ask here now - about pencil marks . Pencil marks are considered production batches ... as an interpretation . These colored cases could help determin this - I would think . The rarrity points to low production through out the war and that would mean .... these KB Cases - if the idea is correct - the same pencil number = batch number . Can this be determined ? I am guessing there could be up to a hand full of pencil numbers only and not the thousands like with black cases .
Just a thought ... will see what pencil numbers mine have

Douglas