Unknown EKI

[Robert P.]

Thanks Andreas,

In my search I find too that the W&L's have the copper-colored round wire catch, not nickel silver. Thank you. Always something to learn. I presumed W&L from the pin like you say.

Robert

[patrice]

Thank you all for the great info, you guys are real good.
I can't even tell the difference between a real and fake EKI.

[AndiK]

Good to convincing you, robert.

Unmagnetic crosses by W&L have the round wire catch and the flat wire catch too.



regards
Andreas

[Robert P.]

Good to convincing you, robert.

Unmagnetic crosses by W&L have the round wire catch and the flat wire catch too.



regards
Andreas

Taking your word for it, Andreas. You sound very confident, you and Stefan. The early W&L frame is different than their mid war frame. Is the early S&L frame different than their mid war frame, or the same?

Robert

[Robert P.]

Here's a comparison, the initial cross on the left, a mid war marked '4' S&L EKI on the right...

From what I can see both look the same...

Robert

[AndiK]

Hi Robert,

i think the frame is the same.

I see the failure in beading on early W&L pices (round wire) too.
But i cant limit the time of chance the catch.

S&L have chance pin and catch, the frame is imo the same.


regards
Andreas

[patrice]

Great comparative analysis.
After seeing both EK's side by side, there's now no doubts about who's the maker.

Danke

[gasschutzgerate]

hello
nice W&L for me
regards
Roland

[zambrotta11]

There is no doubt for me that this is an early S&L.

Regards,
Stephen

[joelhall]

Second, the center core is non-magnetic, what does it means ?

nothing in itself unless there were other signs to doubt its authenticity or to tell a date (as it wasnt just late versions that used other metals as iron became scarse, for example).

from what i understand, non-magnetic centres were popular with naval personell as the award wouldnt be prone to rusting in air and salt water.

in this case the edges and soldering of the frames would suggest an early cross, possibly mid-war at the latest. i wouldnt hazard a guess as to the maker as im not up on the clasps anymore having had a hiatus from the hobby for personal and financial reasons, so i am a little rusty. S&L sounds promising, though they produced the original master dies anyway.

[Jono]

from what i understand, non-magnetic centres were popular with naval personell as the award wouldnt be prone to rusting in air and salt water.

This is pure myth and has absolutely no evidence to back it up at all. Its a persistent myth despite that

[joelhall]

ahh thanks

im learning more already

[Jono]

ahh thanks

im learning more already

No worries. I used to believe that one also until someone on here set me straight.
I think this myth persists because it seems very logical