EK2 ribbon

[byf41]

I need an original ribbon for an EK2 . I found one for sale and asked if it was ww2 issued. The guy said it was German and it looked good under a black light, but hes not sure if it's ww2 or from the 1957 reissue with the swas.
How do you tell the difference? Thanks Ron.

[Robert P.]

I need an original ribbon for an EK2 . I found one for sale and asked if it was ww2 issued. The guy said it was German and it looked good under a black light, but hes not sure if it's ww2 or from the 1957 reissue with the swas.
How do you tell the difference? Thanks Ron.

Ron,

There are a lot of good fakes out on the market that pass the blacklight test. First of all, the originals were made of a silk/cotton blend. The sides of the ribbon should looked looped, both front and back the same - the same. The fakes have a weird stitch loop on one side that is irregular. These are made in some foreign country like Pakistan. The French and Germans have acquired the period looms and are making ribbons today with remaining stocks of thread. Obviously, they are impossible to discern age with these. I heard this through much research. The ribbon on originals is fairly thick, and not easily moved from side to side, laterally. The fibers will burn with little to no ash or smoke, where the newly-manufactured synthetics will burn AND melt with black smoke. The end of the fiber will ball up like nylon rope when it's put to flame. Here's a photo...an original. It looks exactly the same on the reverse side...

Robert

[Robert P.]

11 1/2" long, original length...

Orange/red color...

Robert

[Robert P.]

Also, something I have noticed with much investigation of ribbons if the loom count, the rows of stitches across the ribbon. The fake ribbons have about 2/3rds of the original loops from side to side. The originals have small, tight stitches, looms, which makes the ribbon stiffer. Also, the white color of the fake 1914 and 1939 EKII ribbons has a very slight blue tint to it. It really shows up in digital photography. The originals appear to be almost a light yellow or tan tone when photographed up close, macro. I wish I had saved my photos I took recently to illustrate. A friend sent me some 1914 EKII ribbon, which had the irregular loop stitch to one side, and this blueish tint, yet it passed the blacklight test.

Robert

[baldy1939]

What is this blacklight test ?

[Robert P.]

What is this blacklight test ?

You take a black-painted bulb into a dark room...no, just pulling your leg.

No , you buy a good 'black-light' at the store. Take the ribbon into a dark room with the ribbon. The black light will pick up the flourescents (dies) in the fabric, and make them glow like a neon sign. Modern garment makers use synthetic flouride dies to produce brilliant colors in clothing. With an original ribbon you will see only dull colors, no glowing neons.

Robert

[all1knew]

What is this blacklight test ?

Hello there,

If it glows it is thought to be of post-war production.

Check here for the tales:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=109361

William Kramer

[Robert P.]

Thanks William...

And...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_light

Robert