Knights Cross up for review...

[Dave Kane]

In fact they are a 'collector's item' in that some believe that the Crosses were made via the 'original methods' and with old tooling.

Unlike the current replicas the Crosses have been associated with WWII Vets via stories....

The Crosses have sold within the $250. - $500. and really not too bad a price for a replica of a Cross selling for $8k+

[Dietrich Maerz]

The cross is a post war Souval and therefore a fake made to deceive and for me fall into the same ctaegory as the post war S&L - also made to deceive. I personally regard such pieces as absolutely worthless.

I would have not the faintest idea why somebody should pay $500.-of hard earned money for that?

[Bob Hritz]

Well Dietrich,

Many former Knight's Cross winners purchased post-war crosses from Herr Umlauff, at Souval. Herr Unlauff was very proud of this fact, and mentioned it many times, in our correspondance. he clearly stated that firma Souval did not produce the Knight's Cross, in any grade, or the Grand Cross, during the Third Reich era. My favorite are the few examples that von Manteuffel would give to friends who he cared for. It was his habit to give a Souval Knight's Cross with Oak leaves and Swords to those who shared mutual respect andtreated him well, along with a post-war copy of his RK postcard and a calling card. I have such a set and cherish it.

Is this different than the 1957 versions that are now attributed to RK winners with no other evidence than a letter from a dealer?

Bob Hritz

[Dietrich Maerz]

Bob,

from a purist point of view I see a difference. From a quasi-historical point of view, maybe not.

I was not talking about specific Souval (or S&L) post war crosses that came from a proven recipient as you describe. I was more talking about post-war reproductions in general.

There are alwys exceptions...

Dietrich