Veteran's Estate yields another Spanish Cross in Gold & Swords w/Simulants by Godet

[dkelley]

Greetings!

When a US Army Dentist was mustered out at the end of WWII, soldiers who had their jaws repaired gave a multitude of war souvenirs to this humble Army officer in graditude for the work done to repair damage done to them in combat. One such award was a Spanish Cross in Gold w/rhinestones in a green SC case.

This award, among others were given to a friend of the Dr.'s before his death, stating "here Don, this will knock your socks off." This award had remained in the Dr.'s sock drawer since leaving Europe.

I apologise I has not able to get a clean shot of the button on the reverse. The weight and measurements are as follows: weight: 50.0g., point to point, 60mm, swords, 65mm, wreath, 20mm, 14 1/4 caret rhinestones, 10mm hinge, matted gold on silver to the obverse and polished gold on silver to the reverse; maker is cleanly etched on the stone's attachment plate as "J Godet & Sohn KG Unter den Linden 53" The case is green with a black velvet bottom, raised "hoof print" to embed the award, has hand writing on the white silk lining inside the lid. The award does not allow the lid to completely close. Diminsions are 84x84x abt. 20mm.

Your opinions and expertise are grately appreciated. In my opinion, this is an authentic award. I want it to be for sure! What say you?

[dkelley]

Reverse

[dkelley]

Case

[dkelley]

Open Case

[Jody]

Spanish Cross

Hello,
I am far from an expert on these. It sure looks like the real deal to me. I have seen two real ones in person and from what I have in reference books, it looks pretty good.

I sure wish Bill Stump was still around. This would be right up his alley.
Regards,
Jody

[Rich G]

This URL will take you to pics of what is said to be an original:

http://rgordon4.tripod.com/decorations/id97.html

I see differences which raises concerns.

Rich

[tinmantis]

I am far from an expert on these too, but weren't these not 'real' gold, but coated the same as the 'normal' gold ones?
also, the ring around the swas is part of the setting and held on by 2 rivets showing on the back plate... can't see on your pic..?
regards
jon

[tinmantis]

sorry Richard my mistake, fire-gilded silver...

[dkelley]

The reverse piece which holds the artificial diamond wreath has a rivet at the 12:00 position and the 6:00 position. Same as illustrated in Detlev's 2nd edition on page 444. The hinge is more narrow than known examples, as is the pin, which is shorter. However, Detlev illustrates and example of an SC with this hinge and pin.

Because the pin will only raise to a vertical position, I guess I am going to have to buy another digital camera that is high resolution enough to take photos sufficient for close-ups.

I have read all of the threads in the forum on this badge and have concluded there are many variations. As some of you have said, including my friend, the late Bill Stump, believe it or don't believe it.

Regards,
Dan

[Tim B.]

Well, the piece certainly looks very nice and has great details, but do the eagle's heads look right to anyone? I'm no expert, but they look off from known originals to me.

Tim

[Mian_Tang]

The eagle's tail...

[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

No comments on the cross from me - I simply don't know for sure either way.

Regarding the case though, if this set has been together since 1945, why is there a circular wear impression on the insert rather than just wear atr the points of the cross arms and sword tops/hilts? Also, there appears to be a maker mark on the upper insert - very worn. If it's not Godet, I'd question the case. And if the case is in question, then so is the cross - based on the "story".

Regards

Mike K

[dkelley]

Case

Hi Mike.

The black velvet insert on the bottom of the case has a raised donut and is flat on top. This is typical and well documented on SC cases. The white silk lining at the top has three lines of very faded hand writing or cursive writing for sure. I magnified the writing and put it under ultra-violet light. Even so, the only part I can read is the third line which says "Berlin."

I need a stronger light any more magnification to read it.

For Tim & Tony: There are many examples listed in the forum archives which should satisfy any concerns. Also, there are many books written by credible authors who show examples of the award. From the days when Bill Stump was with us, it was made very clear that their are variations to the wearer's copy. I will provide examples hopefully tomorrow. The Army Dentist who brought this back was in San Francisco for VE day 1945.

With best regards,
Dan

[dkelley]

SC Case bottom Insert

Here is a more close up PIC of the bottom of the case. What you see is a round raised bottom with a groove in the middle and widened at the top for the hinge and less widened for the catch and pin.

Also I took the highest resolution in grey-scale of the writing on the white silk lining under the lid at the center. You should be able to wear case wear from the diamond simulants.

The reference books say the case should be red. However, I also read the wearer's copy was green. For sure, the case bottom in black as it should be. There are descriptions of green cases which maroon bottoms. Since their is so little known about this award, I would encourage anyone who has interest it this, to read what materials are already recorded in the forum. A great deal of this writing comes from Bill Stump.

With best regards - Dan

[dkelley]

writing

writing