schinkel ek 1, odd "9"

[Mark Holmes]

Wow thanks guys .
All help gratefully absorbed.

Stomper

[DavidM]

Hello

First of all, a very nice and rare Schinkel type EK1.

In answer to the questions in this thread, not all Schinkels are one piece. They can be found as one piece or three piece construction. My Schinkel type EK2 is three piece construction with a magnetic iron core.

The material used appears to vary dependant on if the cross is one or three piece. The one piece can be of a magnetic material, (possibly steel or iron), which is then plated with a thin layer of brass before the final silver plating is applied. The three piece versions normally have a magnetic iron core and rims of nickel silver, as do the later versions of the WW2 EKs.

Most authorities agree that at the onset of WW2, and the reintroduction of the Iron Cross, it was some of the original WW1 tooling that was utilised to make the very first EKs, and not left over WW1 frames. All that was needed then was the new core with the Swastika and date of 1939. Don't forget that a lot of companies, as can be seen from their pre WW2 and very early WW2 catalogues were still producing the WW1 EKs and so were already tooled up for the production of Iron Crosses, albeit based on the WW1 design. Once the new dimensions for the WW2 EKs was released, and enforced, the companies who were authorised to supply WW2 EKs had to produce new dies conforming to the new sizes.

Why there are one piece and three piece Schinkel type crosses is unknown, but my view is that with the onset of WW2, and prior to the strict controls placed on the authorised manufactuer of EKs, some medal and award companies produced the one piece EKs as a quick, cheap way of getting into the market place. As I say, that is only my personal opinion.

The differences in Schinkel type EKs are there because these were produced immediately at the onset of WW2 and before the official controls were put in place. Therefore you had manufacturers already producing WW1 EKs, but who then quickly turned out new cores inside frames made out of dies configured for WW1 EKs. As an aside, many companies who manufactured EKs in WW1 were not, for what ever reason, authorised to do so in WW2.

I hope this is of use.

Regards
David

[franki]

Hello,

I agree completly with the position by DavidM.
The differences in shape and working are oconomic bases.

An example: have a look at the Schinkel cross with typical Meybauer pin, which has been used in the same shape during the 1WW. It shows that the manufacturer does not be very eager to use new parts in the beginning of the production.

Best Franki

[LuckyLuudje]

David:
That was a comprehensively explanation.
I also never found a reason for the one-piece crosses.
But your theory to produce cheap and quick sounds verry plausible to me.

For the example mentioned by Franki this is a nice thread to see my Schinkels from Meybauer with the WW1 needle and screw-back DRGM setup.
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...light=meybauer

I was looking for the maker of my EK2 Schinkel for some time.
The only (weak) lead I found was the small ring wich had the same big and thin size as my mm15 EK2.

But maybe this EK1 setup wil shed some light?
Is there someone who recognizes something wich tells more about this maker?

Regards,
Luud

[Douglas 5]

Reverse post 2

Hi Ben ;
just wanted to ask about the mark at the bottom to the left of the catch . Is that a stamped 'squere' ?

Douglas

[Douglas 5]

Area

Areas of interest :

[ben bijker]

Hi Douglas,

Those are scratches, like some tried to put his initials on the cross.
So no stamped marks

Would have been nice though, could have been a lead to the maker.


David, I like your explanation about the schinkels in general, and especially about the one-piece schinkels.
A very plausible explanation, I might add.

Thanks all for your replies.

Ben