Please comment on my first 3 EK1s (20, 26,6)

[tenoriodj]

Hi all, just got these and im trying to learn all I can about them. I realize you can purchase three to four of these for the price of one personalized dagger (my main collecting area), which makes collecting EK1s rather compelling I am reading Gordon Williamson's book, but would appreciate all your comments. Left to right: "20"-"26"-"6"

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<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.tinypic.com/2r3l3de.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

Cased "20"

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Stamp detail

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Cased "26"

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Stamp detail

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Cased "6"

<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.tinypic.com/4ic6r0w.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

Stamp detail

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[tenoriodj]

the "6" Fritz Zimmerman is a vaulted, convex type...how rare are these?

[DavidM]

Hello

From what I can see in these photos they all look like good, original crosses. Full face on shots of the rear of the crosses would help, but in my opinion these are good.

I assume you know that the makers are C F Zimmermann '20', B H Mayers '26' and Fritz Zimmermann '6'.

Regards
David

[DavidM]

Hello

Curved, or vaulted EK1s from WW2 are not very common, but can be found. The practise of producing curved or valuted EKs was common in WW1 and some manufacturers continued this in WW2. On the 5th March 1941 this practise was stopped and forbidden by a note issued from the LDO. The original directive to cease making curved crosses appears to have gone out as early as August / September 1940, as a note from Steinhauer und Luck on 5th September 1940 advised it's customers that they were now unable to supply curved crosses as this practise was no longer allowed. Pressumably, therefore, most curved award EK1s were made prior to September 1940, with the LDO note formally ceasing the practise for private purchase items in March 1941

Regards
David

[tenoriodj]

heres the reverse view of all three

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[DavidM]

Hello

Thanks for the full rear view photos. In my opinion these are good.

Regards
David

[tenoriodj]

Could anyone please advice me on how I may attempt to rapair the rust on the "6" Frizt Zimmermann pictured? I assume if not dealt with, the rust will expand

thanks

[GELIS44]

I like all three!!! The "20" really
catches my eye!!!

[Stephen Stout]

Good choice on a Fritz Zimmermann, these are my personal favorites of iron crosses.

[tenoriodj]

Thanks guys, i love the vaulted Fritz Zimmerman too... thats why im considering the rust removal project...how about it..any recommendations on this?

[Stephen Stout]

Thanks guys, i love the vaulted Fritz Zimmerman too... thats why im considering the rust removal project...how about it..any recommendations on this?

Don't do it, you want the cross to like a piece of history, not something new. Heck I have rust on my grandfather's 1914 ek1 and I wouldn't remove it for the world!!