SEM Investigation - Request for Help!

[Dietrich Maerz]

I could manage to get a student for one semester to test and record about 40-50 crosses regarding surface structure, material and other aspects. I was lucky enough to find a professor at the University of Michigan who will conduct this as a rated course - so no cost for me.

I have enough EK1 and 2 to supply and this will give me a fairly good basis. I also have some fakes to test. What I would need is this:

- a EK2 marked 333
- a Souval RK
- a fake RK of the style of the very overdone inner round corners (not the Rounder)
- post war S&L RK (935 or unmarked, unmagnetic)

If somebody has above mentioned pieces (or others he deems worth to test), I kindly ask to send them to me. I will reimburse all related cost.

This should be a nice start for a solid database and I exspect some good results especially regarding the 'painted' frosting.

Thanks for your help!

Dietrich

[Marc Garlasco]

Good for you Dietrich! Keep up the research. There is a souval on e-stand.
Marc

[Stephen Stout]

A 935 will be heading your way in a couple of days. Take care of my baby .
Danke,
Stephen

[meriksson]

I have a fake KC whit bigg round corners and fat rim, if you want it or picture let me know. Ps´it has been in silver dipp, hehe the frames did not get any better.
Mikael

[Dietrich Maerz]

Thanks Stephen for the help for the good for all of us!

@Mikael
Yes, mail me a picture. We take it from there, okay?

Dietrich

[Dietrich Maerz]

Thank you all for the astonishing support! I have way enough pieces now!

Thanks again!

[Nico C]

Dietrich,

should you need an 333 EK2, there is one for sale in the bazaar now
http://www.wehrmacht-awards.net/foru...d.php?t=184806

Just wanted to let you know.

Best,
Nico

[DaveJ]

If you need a 333, I can send you one,
Dave

[Dietrich Maerz]

If you need a 333, I can send you one,
Dave

Thanks Dave, got already one from another member!

Thanks again!

Dietrich

[Brian S]

It'll be great to get some real 'data'. The basis of this knowledge lies in a sample of more than the very few tested to date.

Great job Dietrich!

[Dietrich Maerz]

Special Thanks to Maj. Konig for sending his S&L "935" to me. The SEM was interesting. It is 935 silver and the core is brass. Regrading the paint and the frosting I want to wait for more data from other crosses which are lined up for testing.

Meanwhile, the student is plotting along with an average of 12 hours/week. A huge amount of data will be coming in.

Dietrich

[Peter Wiking]

Wonderful work.

Peter

[Dietrich Maerz]

Here's the print out of the silver part. It was interesting to realize that both Prof's said clearly that one cannot make a definite statement regarding 93.5 % silver since such a quantitative statement is not possible w/o having an absolute datum. They said they would need a certified piece of 935 silver and a very clean surface of the cross void of any 'debris' to compare to each other.

However, they both said that the probability of this being 935 silver is very high, judging by the very small content of copper (which makes up the difference of 6.5%) At any rate, for me it was only important to know whether it's silver al all - which it clearly is. And a high grade at that.

[Darrell]

$100 says your pics end up elsewhere D. Keep me posted .. eh?

[Indy]

hi Dietrich

They are right about the sample for SEM. Actually, they use SEM's X-ray gun to test elements which are under the aimed surface. The depth is not very deep, and the depth depends on angle and intensity of beam energy. They might say...you better to polish it. I think the better thing to test is the frosty material because it is thin and is on top of surface.

If you want to test the elements in a cross, I would say you may need to test a lot of different spots in order to collect the average data. Use "quantitative" function, you will get the percentage of each element in the emission volume.

kr
Indy