De-Nazified RK - Austria

[Dietrich Maerz]

From a very advanced collector in Germany I got this picture today. I will get better ones. The history behind this piece is that is was the intended de-nazified version of the RK of 1939 for Austria. He does not know the maker other than a 'firm in Vienna'.

The reverse just shows the 1813 date - the obverse is plain.

Obviously the idea never really took off -mainly (so my guess) for political reasons. After all, the Iron Cross is not an Austrian Order but Austria was part of the Reich.

Does anybody have any idea about this piece and it's alledged history? Could it be true?

Dietrich

[AWwaterhouse]

If you had a better picture you could compare the beading to a Souval Knights Cross.

[Peter Wiking]

I have a couple of EK2's with plain core. The frames are Souval. One came from a Austrian vet who lived here in Norway and served in a mountain unit during the war.

Cheers.
Peter