War Merits Knights Cross

[Derek T]

Hello,

I need some advice as to whether you guys think these are authentic or repros. They have L58 on the suspension ring.

Just click on the link below and then click the small image to enlarge it.

http://www.members.shaw.ca/dbboyling/

Thanks

Derek

[Laurence Strong]

I think the RK w/ swords is a post war Souval copy, though I might be wrong. The verdicts out on the one w/o swords at this time. Can you get a side shot of it?

[all1knew]

marking

Hello,

On the version with swords, the maker mark is stamped into the suspension loop? ? ? I can't say that I have ever seen that, not to mention the poor details on the reverse.

William Kramer

[Peter Wiking]

War Merit Cross With Swords: Not a genuine Third Reich production. Blurred details, pitmarks...

Sorry.
Peter

[Derek T]

On the version with swords, the maker mark is stamped into the suspension loop? ? ?
William Kramer

The number on the loop is L/58 and the explaination can be found here under technical data:
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/war_..._cross.htm#top

Ive posted some side shots but just make sure to refresh your browser:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/dbboyling/

Thanks

Derek

[all1knew]

no

Hello,

Both are reproductions in my opinion.

William Kramer

[Peter Wiking]

The low quality is obvious in my opinion.

[Das Reich]

Hello,

Both are reproductions in my opinion.

William Kramer

the with swords is an obvious fake. the w/o swords, i like all the details on it with the exception of some pitting, but i would let those that now better than i have a say.

[all1knew]

the with swords is an obvious fake. the w/o swords, i like all the details on it with the exception of some pitting, but i would let those that now better than i have a say.

I always thought that on the RK des KvK with no swords the suspension ring should not have the ridges on it. Here is an original ring that I found a photo of.

William Kramer

[ChrisM.]

As far as the one without swords, I have never seen one with a ribbed hanger. There is some discussion on this at the end of this thread, but not too much:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...=141325&page=2

And for what it's worth, if for no other reason to not like it, the 9's on the date look different and I would question that. Sort of like the Krim Shield authentication.

[Jeff V]

I don't see anything in these examples which would make me think they might be original. Quality is poor. best wishes,
jeff

[Laurence Strong]

As I said I don't care for the Swords version, and upon seeing the side view of the w/o swords I don't like that one either. My RK measures out at 5.1mm at the core and when you look at the side view the arms are almost straight while yours has a massive taper to them. from my experience, such as it is, that's reason enough to run. As for the ribbed suspention ring, I have a scan somewhere which showed that they were issued as such, but I don't think your's is one of them. Sorry about that, but those are my opinions.

[Fritziii]

Derek,
These are totally no good, very poor quality and marked totally wrong, they made a good stab at trying to get the suspension ring somewhat right but not good enough, I'll send or post pics of my two and they don't even compare, if your thinking of purchasing don't!

Fritziii

[Darrell]

As far as the one without swords, I have never seen one with a ribbed hanger. There is some discussion on this at the end of this thread, but not too much:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...=141325&page=2

And for what it's worth, if for no other reason to not like it, the 9's on the date look different and I would question that. Sort of like the Krim Shield authentication.

Hi all .... it appears there is a variation with a ribbed suspension device. Page 312 on Angolia's For Fuhrer and Fatherland. Read the print in the red box:

[Darrell]

However, I'm not implying the first posted is real or fake ... just clarifying the ribbed suspension loop theory on the RK KVK w/o Swords.

As well ... Forman has a picture of two RK KVKs w/o swords ... one ribbed .. one smooth. Both decribed as the two variations.