Approximately two years ago we had a great discussion about the S&L Knight's Cross die. At that time there were 2 if not 3 camps offering different theories about the # of die and how they might have been produced. A great go-around lasting 51 pages!
In the end and almost 2 years later it is (generally) accepted that there indeed was only one die for S&L Knight's Crosses and that die was repaired prior to the end of the war resulting in the 935/4 'type' frame commonly refered to as 'B'.
I found a POST WAR S&L Knight's Cross frame in mint condition which suggests strongly that further ongoing repairs were made to these die long after war's end. Many of the 'fingerprints' have flattened out as is expected with 'die use' however, a handful still exist to include the remnant of the 'dent' or 'pock' row and certain 'split' beading.
The 'REPAIRED' areas of the frame are sharp and deep while the areas that weren't rehabilitated are very flat and shallow. The following pictures should clarify and affirm that over time the die wears, dents and pocks become blurry and a great deal of detail just goes away.
In the end and almost 2 years later it is (generally) accepted that there indeed was only one die for S&L Knight's Crosses and that die was repaired prior to the end of the war resulting in the 935/4 'type' frame commonly refered to as 'B'.
I found a POST WAR S&L Knight's Cross frame in mint condition which suggests strongly that further ongoing repairs were made to these die long after war's end. Many of the 'fingerprints' have flattened out as is expected with 'die use' however, a handful still exist to include the remnant of the 'dent' or 'pock' row and certain 'split' beading.
The 'REPAIRED' areas of the frame are sharp and deep while the areas that weren't rehabilitated are very flat and shallow. The following pictures should clarify and affirm that over time the die wears, dents and pocks become blurry and a great deal of detail just goes away.
Dave, what did you use for the macro shots?
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