RK des EK Observations Sought

[Inspector Krogh]

RK des EK

Thank you gentlemen, for your input. I too, am very pleased with this piece. I have been keeping a weather eye out for a "worn" L/12 for a while. This popped up on Weitze's site about a month or so ago, it spoke and I answered.

I am attaching some pics with the ribbon that came with it (45mm x 42cm)
It is soiled and well worn, but there is no method of wearing or attachments evident. The ends are folded over slightly and appear to have some sort of adhesive on them. ????

More info on this piece to come in a bit.

Greg

[Inspector Krogh]

RK des EK

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[Inspector Krogh]

RK des EK

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[Inspector Krogh]

RK des EK

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[Dave Kane]

Greg...you did well with the cross. However, the ribbon should be discussed!

[Erickn]

Been there

Hi Greg,


Nice RK! Its talks, I like it. You did good!

Erickn

[Inspector Krogh]

Ribbon & etc.

Greg...you did well with the cross. However, the ribbon should be discussed!

Yes! The weave, the texture and "sheen" to the ribbon leads me to believe that something other than this once passed through that loop.

Ostensibly...this RK was awarded to Oberjager Karl Oberkircher in October '43 on the Finnish front. But, what I have as "provenance" is very far from compelling! A marksmanship document ('39) to Oberkircher, and a period newspaper clipping on the deeds leading to the award with his photo. I have also been in touch with a new acquaintance from the forum, Angel Farre. He has Oberkircher's soldbuch and wehrpass, and has been most helpful. I might add that none of the photos I have seen of Oberkircher indicate that the swastika on the RK was worn/rubbed free of it's finish.

Angel, please comment as you see fit.

One of the fellows on the forum has a postscript that reads something along the lines of "let the piece speak for itself, not the story, or the seller". I am a firm believer in that! However, If anyone can shed any light on the disposition of Oberkircher's RK at any time in the past, I would be be most interested in hearing about it!

Thanks to all for your comments. This is a great forum.

Greg

[Angel Farré]

I will be more than happy if we can determinate that this cross is really the one bestowed upon Oberkircher, but as I have commented with you, I was in touch (not directly, but with a friend as colaborator) with the daughter of Oberkircher when I purchased his Soldbuch and Wehrpass and she told us that all his father medals, documents and other pieces were sold some time ago and that she had no more pieces from her father. This could be true or maybe she has no time to waste making a search in depth looking for some crap metal to keep happy a couple of crazy stranges. Due the fact that we have proof that his papers and medals survived the war you have a good chance to have purchased a named cross, more if we see that you also have some papers with it, but also it can be a put together of a dealer or unescroupulous collector to increase its value.

We must start with the pictures we have from Oberkircher wearing his RK and try to determinate, if posible, the maker of the cross and if any distintive thing can identificate your cross with the ones in the photos, later I will put a close upp of the RK in his Soldbuch photo and do the same with the ones you have, also if any other have one, please put it here to discuss this interesting topic.

Angel

[Dave Kane]

Thanks Greg...well put regarding the ribbon. I wasn't comfortable just suggesting that the ribbon was post war by looking at the pics alone. However, your observations confirm my suspicions.

PM sent

[Rich G]

I know that some (maybe many) RKT wear/wore their original RK's at meetings. From what I know, often back to front too hide the forbidden swaztika. (Often explains excessive wear to the front)
Therefore, a wartime picture showing a mint cross (even if awarded very late) doesn't mean the RK now should be mint, especially if the RKT was one of those that continued to wear their original RK post-war.

Just something that should be kept in mind when trying to match how the cross is now with how it looked in wartime pics.

Rich

[Inspector Krogh]

Karl Oberkircher

Thanks for your comments, and of course, your time. I will leave any comparison regarding the cross in hand vs. cross in photos to those whose eyes which are younger or sharper than mine! I am attaching pics of what I received with the RK:

1. Shooting award, mounted on cardboard (approx 29.5 x 41.5 cm).

2. Original newspaper/magazine clipping with photograph.

3. Recent copy of wartime photo.

Other than 4-5 xerox copies of pages from published works naming Oberkircher and his exploits/award.........das ist alles!

As stated earlier not exactly compelling, but perhaps at least a thread to pull on!

Greg

[Inspector Krogh]

Karl Oberkircher

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[Inspector Krogh]

Karl Oberkircher

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[Inspector Krogh]

Karl Oberkircher

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[Inspector Krogh]

Karl Oberkircher

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