57 Problem - Fake or Original?

[Okrach]

Hi all,

Sorry if this question will sound dumb but I read on this forum that there are no fakes of 57 type awards?

Personally I don't know what to think since I followed many discussions concerning this subject (i.e. RK crosses) seeing different opinions.

Can we state one particular conclusion here if the 57 awards have been reproduced as well?

[Bob Hritz]

There are fake 1957 versions. The Anti-Partisan badge is a good example. This award was no authorized to be made in a 1957 version, but many are available, for the collector market.

Even as I type, someone is making 1957 pattern Knight's Crosses, Oak Leaves, and Oak Leaves and Swords for collectors.

When I was in contact with Steinhauer and Lueck, in the late 1960's, they advised me that any medal or badge could br produced, to my order, with a minimun run of 500 pieces, plus the die cost. With an order of 2500 pieces, no die cost was involved. Steinhauer officials advised me the over 99% of the production for 1957 pattern awards was for collectors, antique dealers, flea market dealers. less than 1% was for any military supply outfits. Steinhauer and Lueck were in the business of making and selling medals and badges. They sell to whoever orders. At that time, Steinhauer and Lueck did not admit to having any Third Reich 'old stock' on hand and seemed to be rather vague about making such a wide array of Third Reich awards during the Hitler era.

I am sure if you contact them today, for a production run of 2500 1957 pattern Knight's Crosses, they will gladly make the dies and fill your order.

Bob Hritz

[Peter Wiking]

This company can provide you with reproductions of both the 1939 and 1957 version of the Knight Cross.

Cheers.
Peter

[Peter Wiking]

This seller at Ebay was proud in telling me that he could supply me both the 1939 and 1957 version of the EK1 when desired. The cross in the photo is a reproduction if you wonder.

Cheers.
Peter

[Henri S]

Lately there has been an emergence of single piece iron crosses (RKs, DKs, EKI & EKIIs). I even came across a moulded lead retired pilot badge that was all soft and snapped to bits when pressed between my fingers. Maybe some time not long ago there were no fakes, but due to 57er popularity recently fakes started to emerge .

Bob, the anti partisan badge was actually authorised by the German Government to be issued in it's 1957 form. I have a copy of the actual government document that illustrates the anti partisan badge. Yes it is odd that this was issued as a 57er .

[IMPERIAL QUEST]

Lately there has been an emergence of single piece iron crosses (RKs, DKs, EKI & EKIIs). I even came across a moulded lead retired pilot badge that was all soft and snapped to bits when pressed between my fingers. Maybe some time not long ago there were no fakes, but due to 57er popularity recently fakes started to emerge .

Bob, the anti partisan badge was actually authorised by the German Government to be issued in it's 1957 form. I have a copy of the actual government document that illustrates the anti partisan badge. Yes it is odd that this was issued as a 57er .

Hi Henri,
In reference to the Retired Pilot's Badge, would you consider the one that I purchased from you an early '57 example? It appeared fairly substantial in weight and overall quality in the e-stand photos.

[Henri S]

Hi Henri,
In reference to the Retired Pilot's Badge, would you consider the one that I purchased from you an early '57 example? It appeared fairly substantial in weight and overall quality in the e-stand photos.

I would consider it 1980s production. I only saw 2 retired pilot 57 badges, apart from the fakes I mentioned.

[Grant Broadhurst]

Yes there are fake 1957,s about .

Mainly on Eban and usually they are bad fakes of WW2 awards that have been altered i.e. by either having the swastika cut off or cheap pretend diamonds added .

I have seen one piece nasty EK1,s , EK2,s . RK,s marked L/12 ( Junker never made 1957,s ) , Sub clasps with the eagle still on them etc .

And Henri is correct the Anti-Partisan awards were authorised as 1957 pieces stange but true , the only difference on the front is that where the swastika is it is just blank .

A couple of years ago there were none but as the prices have risen the fakes have started to appear so be careful out there guys !