Old Cross... New Paint

[RichardC]

Is it feasible....to repaint an old EK1... that shows about 40% paint loss. I'll be soon getting one that's double marked 20 and L/52 on the reverse of the pin and it looks a little worn...or is it better to leave it as is....(what type of paint should i use if its ok to repaint.?)...please don't hate me for asking about repaint..I'm a newbie and want second opinions

[Phil DeWitt]

Hello Richard C

Feasible?
Gosh golly, please take (with a grain of salt) my
idea? While you are at it, why hot enlarge the
frame so that it is Ubergrosse size, engrave the
back with the appropriate General's name,
and gold plate the outer edge??

Forgive, yet IMHO to repaint would not be
something that I would personally ever
consider, nor would I understand one who
did - to purposefully erase the wear of over
a half of a century? Cannot recommend this,
would like to observe what any others would
say who do recommend, will view with an open
mind...

Trust Me!

Phil

[MH184]

Leave it alone, don't polish it don't repaint it. Let it be honest and worn, you'll be able to upgrade one day.

It's genuine in distress, but at he end of the day it's yours, what would make you content soneone else will scorn.

Look at it this way some pieces are as rare as rocking horse s**t and they look like they've been through a sand blaster, would you repaint that.

To me they are all the same it's not the value or rareity. I'm just happy with genuine.

Are you buying it, if so how much ? Ask for further advice, these guys know it all, maybe you should hang on for a better one..............I know nothing about all the marks, is this a desirable one ?

Kind regards,

Marcus

[MH184]

Quote, "to purposefully erase the wear of over half a century"

Exactly, well said that man.

[meriksson]

Repaint! nooo that will bring the down value very much. And its very hard to obtaine the kemical orginal black. But to polish frame
and back side thats up to you, some say dont some say ok!. I belive there is a guide how to in one off Gordons book´s. Well
any way its up to you what you do whit it.
Mikael

[RichardC]

The cross i'm buying is from German-Militaria, Collectors Guild, out of Canada..Its # h30649 for $205.00, the maker is C F Zimmermann..any one is welcome to view it there and give me their opinions on if this item, is worth it or not..I don't plan on repainting, just wanted to see what others think about someone wanting doing that sort of thing

Thanks
RichardC

[Vadim K]

here is a link to Richard's cross, as Collectors Guild does not have a search engine.
http://www.germanmilitaria.com/Heer/photos/H30649.html

IMO, their Iron Crosses are a bit overpriced, but otherwise its a good honest "been there" example. I actually prefer worn examples to mint ones. I think you would take away from it if you tried to repaint it, and not just in terms of price but in terms of history (besides a repaint job would be painfully obvious). Just enjoy your cross as it is, thats my opinion.

[RichardC]

Thanks Vadim for the link...I,m not really sure what a "fair price" for a EK1 is...its just the cheapest i've found at this time...i'm not looking to buy a lot of EK1s, just one, so i can add it to my tiny collection of other German Medals i have...I have sort of a little shrine dedicated to my Opa who fought against the Russians...a few medals and pictures in a display case...This particular worn looking EK1 would add a little more history to the display...i promise i won't do any "body work" to this one...or any other medals that i have..Thanks for all the help..

[Brian C.]

Richard,

Keep an eye on the e-stand here too. I got an EK I for exactly $116 a couple of months ago that is in really great shape. (thanks Joe D!)

Try a wanted ad for the price you are willing to pay in the e-stand wanted items forum and see what kind of response you get.

[Vadim K]

yes, God bless E-stand, thanks to it I have a nice Zimmerman ($140) and a near-mint Meybauer ($130) EK1s living in my house... (both courtesy of Joe too, what a coincidence...)

Richard, does your display have Grandfather's actual pictures and awards? Did any of them survive? I always wanted to have a display dedicated to my Grandfather (he was on the opposite side of yours, a Colonel in the Medical Corps) but almost none of his personal effects survived...

[RichardC]

Pics of Opa

yes, i do have some pics in the display and some medals...I will post them by this weekend, as i'm currently on vacation, and back in town just temporarily...he was in a mounted infantry unit...I'm currently trying to get his service records from Germany..he died in 1995, but up until now, i wasn't too interested in what he did..my Oma's still alive but she doesn't remember a whole lot about what he did...one picture of him shows him standing in a farm in Poland wearing his visor cap and uniform with riding breeches, and cavalry boots with spurs..i recently bought a pair of WW2 German spurs from Ebay.. for 25.00..the best piece of militaria i have is a pair of 1917 sniper binos that my Opa stole from his commanding officer after he made him throw out his coffee rations...they look exactly like the ones in Peter Senichs book about the German Sniper..pg 19 at the top..they are Carl Zeiss Jena's...i already sent pics of my stuff to one of the members here, David Tiffin..but i will repost all the pics when i get back from vacation..
Thanks all
Richard

[Ed Tainton]

Repaint

As an old impatient and now a cautious collector think of what you are doing. If your going to keep the piece in your collection forever (along time)and as you experience life & the pitfalls and enjoyment of collecting will you kick yourself in the ass for ruining a piece of history. The medal has a history from the time it was stamped out. It may be a very good forgery or a medal that was presented for a very heroic deed and passed from generation to generation. It might have been worn through many battles. It may have been taken off a dead soldier. It may have been dug up in an old war zone or grave. Take your choice, make it one of those and let your imagination build up a story of the medal. .The medal is old and has a story to tell. Don't cover it up with some shiny paint just to make it look good. You are young and just a begginer. These are not just pieces of metal. Everyone of them has a untold story. Keep as a prize piece. One of the first you collected it should hold a place of honour. Keep it and let it rest in peace.

[kennethc]

overprice... for that condition.

[Mark S.]

Ugh. I agree, overpriced.

I think if you hold out for a nicer one, you proabably wont find yourself paying much more. Double marked Zimmerman crosses are not common, but not rare either. Hold out for a better one.

PS: repainting is never an option. Nothing, never. Save the Rustoleum for your Bar-B-Q.