Cased KC With Oakleaves And Swords

[ChrisJ]

Forum

I think Jeff might have hit a raw nerve, actually.

The hobby needed a major "clean up" to counter the dis-service indulged in by predatory dealers and (dare I say it ?) collectors who could see opportunities of cashing in. I feel that we (as a group of collectors) are now in a stronger position possibly than ever before. Pity that we couldnt have done this 10 years ago.

The forum is no longer only about the beginners catching up with the guys who have been around a while, and who have learnt by their mistakes. It will always be that to an extent, but now its rather as a resource where everyone can tap into the collective knowledge.

For example, whilst I often am asked my opinion about RK's & above, I have no shame with asking for opinions from Dietrich and Dave (to name but two) for second opinons on pieces I am acquiring. In fact this week I asked Dave's opinion about a S&L RK...as he is without doubt the authority on these within our ranks, and could quite possibly pick up on things I'd missed. The point being, it doesnt matter how much you know, or think you know, everyone can benefit from a second opinion from time to time.....

Things might be a little slow just now...but that is only normal in the wake of the efforts all have made to rationalise what can be considered "real" and what is fake (and what falls into the various shades in between), notibly crystalised by Dietrich in his recent work.

But there is a lot of exciting work to be done...and I for one look forward to the heated debates that are sure to be around the corner !



Chris

[George Stimson]

Thanks for the clear thinking, Chris.

[Robin Lumsden]

It doesnt matter how much you know, or think you know, everyone can benefit from a second opinion from time to time.....

...and I for one look forward to the heated debates that are sure to be around the corner !

Well said, Chris! That's what I miss as well. The heated debates.

There's a difference between heated debates and people just slagging each other off.

[Dietrich Maerz]

It doesnt matter how much you know, or think you know, everyone can benefit from a second opinion from time to time.....

Exactly!

Then, so I might politely ask, why do you, Robin, not share your opinion about the swords, oaks, RK and case ????

You full support of Chris' statement would make us think that is what you want.

Dietrich

[Robin Lumsden]

Exactly!

Then, so I might politely ask, why do you, Robin, not share your opinion about the swords, oaks, RK and case ????

You full support of Chris' statement would make us think that is what you want.

Dietrich

OK, Dietrich.

Point taken!

I am not by any means a specialist in the Iron Cross and all it's grades, but I know quality when I see it and these Oaks & Swords would not be for my collection.

They are good, very good, but not good enough IMHO.

[Ludwig]

Just back from the militaria show in Kassel, where I had the pleasure to say hallo to some of our fellow collectors from WA.

Anyway. Nice cross and case. Makermarked cases are rare!!!
The OL&swords look nice, but not nice enough. There are VERY good fakes out there. Sometimes so good, that wellknown dealers dare to sell them as originals!
This set is – IMO – not original.

[ChrisJ]

and there you have it !

The OL&swords look nice, but not nice enough. There are VERY good fakes out there. Sometimes so good, that wellknown dealers dare to sell them as originals!
This set is – IMO – not original.

[Ludwig]

and there you have it !

[ChrisJ]

[Allan P.]

For example, whilst I often am asked my opinion about RK's & above, I have no shame with asking for opinions from Dietrich and Dave (to name but two) for second opinons on pieces I am acquiring.

Chris

Well said Chris and thank you too . No shame in asking for as many opinions as possible in my view!!

[Robin Lumsden]

So..............

It looks like we're all agreed then.

What a happy and contented little bunch we all are!

[DavidM]

Hello

A little late coming into this, but as my knowledge of Oaks and Oaks and Swords could be written on a postage stamp and leave room to spare, I didn't have anything to contribute.

What I would like to say is that I find that this forum, and the three others that I visit, is an invaluable resource. The wealth of knowledge and data available is excellent, and I have always found that if I have question, need opinions on an item or am just looking for information the members always respond - not always in the thread though, often I get PMs or e-mails giving me detailed information etc. So is this forum going down hill? In my opinion no, it isn't.

It's been said before but I'll say it again. Arm yourself with some good reference books around your area of collecting, study them carefully and use the collective members knowledge and data in forums like this and you shouldn't go to far wrong. We all make mistakes occasionally or get things wrong, (but then again, the man who hasn't made a mistake hasn't made anything !!), but that's life. Learn and move on.

So basically a bit of long winded way of saying that I feel the forum was, and still is a good place to discuss our hobby. I think I'll leave the final word to Benjamin Franklin, who said:

"Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do."

Regards
David

[Ron Weinand]

Oaks and Swords

I, too, am just now finding this discussion. As a good friend of Ron R. and having seen his collection and knowing that it is substantial, I must say that I feel the Oakleaves and Swords are not correct.
I say this from my experience of handling several sets and seeing many sets from the horde found at the castle by the US 3rd Division at the end of the war.
The detail and the markings on the reverse are not up to par with an original set IN MY OPINION, based on my photos and having handled several sets. I have found that all the 21s have certain traits that are strictly and consistantly the same from piece to piece.
Again, this is just from my experience.
Ron Weinand