Ugly EKII - My first '39 EKII - Real or fake??

[Danny70]

Hi All...

I'm looking for comments or opinions on what I refer to as my 'ugly EK'.
Is it real or a fake?

This was the first 1939 EKII that I purchased (about a year ago, unfortunately before I discovered any militaria forums!). I bought it from a dealer in England (whom, I have since found out, doesn't have the best reputation). Being completely green at the time, I didn't even create any fuss when it arrived, I was just happy to have a '39 EK. (it was not the same EK that I had ordered from his website, and I later realised that the ribbon attached was a fake). Not a great start I admit!!

The (unmarked) cross itself is of 3 piece construction with a magnetic core. It has the narrowest beading I have seen on any EK, and seems to be a slightly odd shape with a very large area at the swastika (this may be an optical illusion caused by the narrow beading). The beading has many marks which may be die flaws but also could just be dents from wear/abuse. The core has some spidering, mainly to the right of the swastika.

If this one does happen to be genuine, does anyone have an idea who it's maker could be?

Apologies for the bad photo quality. (The bright scans have been adjusted to show detail on the core - in hand, the core is a lot blacker than seen here).

Looking forward to reading any opinions! Thanks for looking.

Regards - Danny

[WenRan]

IMO

[WhiteFeather]

Sorry WenRan

What want to say IMO ???

J.Baptiste

[WenRan]

Sorry WenRan

What want to say IMO ???

J.Baptiste

I know I do not have a great knowledge .
But if you say . OK then .
But I would never want this one in my collection .
This must be the like Dany said the most ugly cross I have ever see

First 3 pic's is a different cross . That one looks ok.
Than the last 3 pic's Come on

[FW 200]

I have a mm55 that has ugly border rings just like yours, plus your cross has some spidering. I like it, but I'm not an expert yet.

[WhiteFeather]

I look it's a awful cross, but it's the I.M.O abbrevation i don't understand Can you Explain this abbrevation???



Then for the EK II

It is difficult to judge with bad quality photo.
but for me , it's Fake
The soldering of cross' little ring is awful.
The number's form isn't homogeneous.
The two 9 of 1939 is not the same.
And I think that there are other problem

And it's only my opinion and i'm a beginner and not expert

J.Baptiste

[WenRan]

I have a mm55 that has ugly border rings just like yours, plus your cross has some spidering. I like it, but I'm not an expert yet.

Do not worry ,,,,, I will never be one

[Danny70]

I appreciate the replies guys, but I can never understand those smiley face icons!...

But I would never want this one in my collection .
This must be the like Dany said the most ugly cross I have ever see

First 3 pic's is a different cross . That one looks ok.
Than the last 3 pic's Come on

Wenran -
These images are all of the same cross. I adjusted the settings in the last three images to show more detail on the core.
But yes, an ugly one to be sure!

FW 200 -
I have a marked 55 which has awful die flaws on the beading, but it's still a handsome devil when compared to this one!!

Regards - Danny

[WenRan]

Danny about the icon's ,,, you will get used to it.
I never used this also before .

So the same cross ,, hell... what light can make something total different.

[Hank C.]

I think this cross is okay.

best
Hank

[FW 200]

Maybe there's something wrong with my screen, but I like also. Can you tell if the core is stippled, like on some of the Round Three's?

[Okrach]

I second Hank, It is a genuine cross in my opinion too

[Ian Lim]

Ugly?! I think your first cross is a beauty .

[A H]

Maybe a little bit messy with the soldering on the ring of the cross but I still think its a good one. I dont think its ugly lol. I would be happy to have it in my collection . The ring loop could be a small repair

Regards Adam

[Adrian]

I think your cross is fine too, beading varied from one maker to another, some did it well, others not quite so well. Its an original EK IMO and a good starter to your collection.