Some questions about 1939 EK2 purchased in New Zealand

[DaveNZ]

Hello, I am new to this forum: in fact stumbled on it purely by luck the other day: its a great forum and resource.

I live in New Zealand and over the last ten years have accumulated 5 EK2's amongst other items.

I recently purchased a 1939 EK2 whose quality leaves me a little suspect as to its originality.

The Cross looks good apart from two things:

- the loop has broken away from the rim on one side ie it is not fully closed. Where the break is the metal is dull suggestioning it has been broken for some time. Is this something that may happen to an original EK2? Ihave not seen one with a broken loop before.

- the silver rim is quite "patchy" in its finish: around the outer edge of the rim the shine of the silver has been fully worn away and it is now dull or with a dark patina. It looks like genuine aging.

However the silver nearer to the raised rim that surrounds the Iron centre (excuse my lack of technical terms) is still quite shiney, although there is not much left.

Is this normal?? It seems odd that the majority of the silver on the rim is now dull yet some is still quite shiney. I would have thought it would both age at the same rate or does this depend on wear more than anything?

Unfortunately I dont have any pictures, but any input appreciated!

regards

Dave

[Seigfried]

Hello Dave,
Are the crosses magnetic? They should be if they are made of iron. Not sure about the questions though apart from the silvering, I have a few crosses where the tarnish is patchy too. Do a search through this section looking for comparisons. Welcome to the forum by the way

John

PS I am sure that some more knowledgeable members will be able to add to this.

[DaveNZ]

Hi John, thanks for your reply: yes I have had a look through the forum and made comparisons and i still am not too sure. cheers

[Okrach]

WELCOME TO THE WAF

Any pictures?

Post them as hosted images to me (private message) and I post them for You this time - You need to be an Associated Member to post pictures.

I can guarantee You that it is gonna be good invested $25

[DaveNZ]

yes i have some pictures on my desktop but i dont know how to get them so they can be viewed in a private message. i could email them to you.

The centre is magnetic btw

i think the thing i am not sure about is the silver finish on the rims.

obviously when first made they were shiny. My question is is this shiny effect down to an over all finish on the silver surface, something that can be rubbed off due to wear over time...causing some parts to remain shiny while others become dull and worn.

...OR should the aging process mean a general patina all over the silver in a more uniform way?

cheers

[Mickesouth]

Hi DaveNZ.I`ll help you post pics if you still want to.Check your PM-box.

[DaveNZ]

Cheers for the offer Mick, hopefully they will be up soon!

I have noticed that the "1939" is not exactly flush with the rim where as the 1813 is! The "1939" is slightly higher at the "9" end than the "1".

Not a good sign I think.

[eindecker2]

there are many variations in design and dies so just because a date is not 'uniform' does not mean it is bad. I have seen dates so crisp you can cut paper with them to so dull, it looks like they were sand-cast. Looking forward to the pictures so a difinitive judgment can be made!

[DaveNZ]

Yes I am not sure if the pics will be good enough quality if not i will take some more

[DaveNZ]

I have been looking at many many pics and I still cannot make my mind up! Again the issue i have mainly with my cross is the silver on the rim looks well worn ie shiney in parts (only away from the edge and close to the beading).

It gives the appearence that the rims, while made from silver (which i am certain of) have got a shiny silver finish on top and that is what has been worn off leaving a dull silver finish instead.

I didnt think any "shiney" silver finish was put on crosses; they were plain silver that had been polished: correct?

Sure there is a patina on my cross but the silver itself is very worn. I would have thought the silver to have a uniform worn look rather than a patchy one.

The dealer is adamant it is genuine (as they always do lol)

has anyone else got a simialr cross perhaps?

[Mickesouth]

Posting this pic for DaveNZ.

[eindecker2]

From my perspective looks like a good '100' to me.

[DaveNZ]

I will try and get some better pics next in next couple days. there seems to be s small stamp on the ring but i will need to get a jewellers piece to have a good look as it is very small.