1939 EK I "Official" Cases

[freemason]

Hello Gents,

I have an opportunity to purchase a 1939 EK I case which has no metal hinge or push-button catch. Just a plain case but with the Iron Cross motif on the exterior lid. No markings within the case.

Once upon a time, I owned an Imperial EK 1 case which purportedly was a "KO" case. It, too, was devoid of hinge and button catch. I was told at that time that officially-presented awards were supplied in cases made to Government specs - no hinge or push button catch......It was the jewellers who made the cases with hinge et al for private purchase.

Anyone care to shed light on this subject, please?

Cheers

Bill

[Hank C.]

I believe these are referred to as the "half case" or "halb etui". Try a search in the Cases and Packets forum, you will probably find a little more on it. They are somewhat harder to find, I think, but not unheard of.

Hank

[George Stimson]

Bill

Here's one that's pretty much the way you described yours.

[George Stimson]

The inside, though, bears the mark of Wilhelm Deumer, which I think pretty much precludes it from being a general case only used officially in award situations.

[freemason]

EK I Case

Thanks Hank and George............The pics, George are great. The case I'm chasing is a round-corner, but until I have the case, I won't know what markings are underneath the inner pieces. At least I'd like to think that it's an early case.

Cheers

Bill

[Marc Garlasco]

Here is mine:

[Paratrooper]

Hello Gents,
I was told at that time that officially-presented awards were supplied in cases made to Government specs - no hinge or push button catch......It was the jewellers who made the cases with hinge et al for private purchase.

Hi,

there were no official cases for the award of the EK 1. Class.
The "end of the war" model or "half-cases" (Halb-Etuis) were pieces from later wartime, characterized by absence of a press-button closure and hinge.
They were cheaper to manufacture and this is the reason for their existence.

Because they were manufactured at the end of the war they are pretty rare. From another point of view they are only a cheap substitute for the Etuis from the better days.
They do not please me so well. They are not ugly but not as beautiful as the others.
That's my personal opinion!

In first world war the half-etuis also were pieces from end of the wartime. For more information to this special topic you should ask in the imperial forum.

Regards
Andreas

[freemason]

EK I Case

Thanks for the pics from Flak 88 and your knowledgeable reply, Andreas.
I should have started this in the "Cases" forum but the Iron Cross section hit me in the head first

Cheers,

Bill

[C7riS]

Here is mine:

What a beauty!!!