My Deschler EK1

[Steve Campbell]

Just recieved this the day after getting my Deschler EK2. It's a maker marked 1 EK1. This is the first one of these that I've seen and I must say, this is one meaty cross! What a unique and great looking maker. I'm really happy to have been able to add this one to my collection. I don't believe they are that easy to come by either. This one is in decent condition.

[Steve Campbell]

Here's the rear showing the 1 maker mark. These have a fairly short pin. What does everyone think?

[Stu W]

Looking good!

Hi Steve,

Another nice addition to your collection. Well done.

They are indeed a well built cross. I have never weighed mine but it too is substantially heavier that all others that I have.

Regards,
Stu

[Steve Campbell]

Hi Steve,

Another nice addition to your collection. Well done.

They are indeed a well built cross. I have never weighed mine but it too is substantially heavier that all others that I have.

Regards,
Stu

Thanks Stu. The collection is advancing. These really are chunky crosses aren't they. Makes you want more than one.

[Steinar]

I sure want one now
So they didn't make alot of '1's ?

[Steve Campbell]

I sure want one now
So they didn't make alot of '1's ?

I'm not sure what the actual numbers are. I wouldn't say they are rare, but you don't see them pop up as much as some makers, and they do seem sought after. I'd say the second class marked one is harder to come across than the first class.

[Paratrooper]

[...]I must say, this is one meaty cross! What a unique and great looking maker. I'm really happy to have been able to add this one to my collection.

Hi!

You found the best words for this outstanding crosses by Deschler. Your's is a gread example. Sometimes they used the same reverse setup with the short pin like on the war merit crosses. One can see that because of the pins different shape.

A few weeks ago i got a L/10 marked EK 1 by Deschler. As i hold the cross the first time in my hands it was nearly the same feeling which I had as I got my first EK 1 many years ago.
The Deschler Crosses are really unique and manufactured in very high quality craftmanship.
It's larger and heavier than all crosses which I ever had or have held in my hands.

My piece is slightly vaulted what is a rare in combo with LDO marking. All other L/10 marked pieces i saw (maybe 3 or 4) are absolutelly flat.

Like Steve i'm happy that I could catch this piece for my collection and i'm sure this will not be the last cross of Deschler which found me.

Regards
Andreas

The data:

• Iron Cross 1. Class marked L/10 (Deschler&Sohn in Muenchen)
• High: 45,05 mm
• Width: 45,25 mm
• Weight: 24,6 Gramm

Unfortunately the pictures are not the best.

[Steve Mezey]

envy

I am green with envy! The only affordable Deschler I am missing is the EK1.
Steve Mezey
Nice crosses guys

[Steve Campbell]

Thanks guys. Andreas, that was some good information. I had never really thought about LDO marked versions. Another one to the list. Is there a screwback version? So why are Junkers going for so much more? They can't be any nicer than these Deschlers?

[Tiger 1]

I have a screwback Deschler marked L/10. Love it. It is one of my favorite '39 EKIs.

Tony

[tony james]

nice cross. i have a deschler marked 1 and it is also slightly vaulted.


tony

[Robert P.]

A very nice find, Steve! You've broken the record I believe finding a 1st and 2nd class Deschler in the same week! I love this particular EKI because of the nice patina the cross displays. I've been starting to collect the harder to find EKI's myself, and been very pleased to find them in their 'vintage dress'. You're found a wonderful piece, and we're all very jealous.

Robert

[Steinar]

yes we are jealous

[Steve Campbell]

Thanks everyone. I was blown away by this piece. All these comments make the fact that I'm eating in soup kitchens now all the easier.

[Paratrooper]

So why are Junkers going for so much more? They can't be any nicer than these Deschlers?

Hi Steve!

Only because of the "Juncker Myth". In reality Juncker crosses are not something really special. The quality is good but not as high as the quality from crosses by Zimermann/Godet or Deschler & Sohn for example. Juncker pieces are much more easyer to find than many other makers pieces.

The asking price on the marked has nearly nothing to do with rarity or quality and i think this is a well known fact. It's only a question of fairy tales told for making more money with the maximum profit rate.

One could discus a lot of time about that illogical that circumstances but nothing will change. In the end i'm happy that the much more rarer and nicer Deschler crosses are cheaper than the Juncker crosses.

Regards
Andreas