Question on EK1 finishes

[Jeff V]

Thats a beauty Darrell!
jeff

[Paratrooper]

Hi Ron!

I think i know what you wanted to explain. I often saw that problem exspecialy with W&L EKs. It looks like the silver peels from the frame.
In the photo that i've uploated you can see this, IMO sign of aging, very good.
It seems to be a manufacturer-specific problem.

RV of a W&L EK 2

Hope that's what you meant!

@Darrel
Beautifull cross. Makes my heart strikes more strongly!

KR
Andreas

[Indy]

Maybe Ron wants to say is...frosty finish

KR
Indy

[coastie]

I believe that it's the Rhodium that flakes off after awhile and not silver.

[Darrell]

I believe that it's the Rhodium that flakes off after awhile and not silver.

Isn't the Rhodium the frosting Charlie? I'm talking about that shiney silvering applied to the outside of the rim and the reverse (at least on the 26's).

Here is a 26 I used to own. Notice on the obverse, the frame outside is still very nice and shiney.

1.

[Darrell]

However, after time, this very brilliant silvering soon starts to flake off. You can really notice it on the reverse of the same cross.

2.

[Darrell]

3. Really apparent in a closeup picture:

[Darrell]

I would assume that it used to look like this one below (my Russian Mint 26 Horde example):

[Indy]

hi Darrell

oh...that's possible....2 of my EK1 mm26 show up that kind of broken spots on EK1s' surface. Oh boy...your Russian horde Ek1 mm26 is so mint. It looks like it was made last week.

KR
Indy

[coastie]

Isn't the Rhodium the frosting Charlie? I'm talking about that shiney silvering applied to the outside of the rim and the reverse (at least on the 26's).

Here is a 26 I used to own. Notice on the obverse, the frame outside is still very nice and shiney.

1.

I may be out of step here about the Rhodium on EK1 frames depends if they are silver/silverplated or nuesilber. I know some ek2's were done in Rhodium over Nuesilber, but the frosting is either an acid/caustic soda application or painted. Rhodium is a very glossy metal that is used as a silver substitute because it is slower to tarnish.

[Darrell]

Rhodium is a very glossy metal that is used as a silver substitute because it is slower to tarnish.

I think we were talking about the same thing Charlie. I just never knew what the technical term of that stuff was. I agree, that the main purpose was to prevent the cross edging to lose that nice shine

I believe I read somewhere where there was a special wooden tool(?) that was used to polish the edges?

[coastie]

I think we were talking about the same thing Charlie. I just never knew what the technical term of that stuff was. I agree, that the main purpose was to prevent the cross edging to lose that nice shine

I believe I read somewhere where there was a special wooden tool(?) that was used to polish the edges?

They used a rod that was tipped with hematite which is a iron oxide crystal, I know you've seen the mineral it's a dark silver gray and it streaks red on a piece of ceramic. I used to be a rockhound until I ended up with more rocks in my head than in my collection .

[Darrell]

They used a rod that was tipped with hematite which is a iron oxide crystal, I know you've seen the mineral it's a dark silver gray and it streaks red on a piece of ceramic. I used to be a rockhound until I ended up with more rocks in my head than in my collection .

There you go.

[Ron P]

Thank's for the pics Darrell, that is how the front plate of my EK1 looks. I'm a new member and plan on posting pictures of my modest collection once I figure out how as I am computer challenged. After all the fakes I have bought in my lifetime it is absolutely wonderful to find a website like this!
Regards, Ron.