Two EK2s - same maker?

[Adrian]

Just wanted to post these two EKs to gather opinions other than my own. Are the two EKs by different makers or are they from the same factory but made several thousand strikes apart?
First up is a maker marked 25....

[Adrian]

Here is the second, you will notice multiple die flaws and in places a 'double' row of beading similar to the characteristics of a '55'.

[Adrian]

Here is the reverse of the '25'...

[Adrian]

and the reverse of the second cross...

[Time Bandit]

I'm no expert and trying to suss out makers is a work of art that is totally beyond me other than something really obvious...but from a numpties point of view then apart from the obvious difference in regards to flaws etc then to my eye the crosses look very much like they are the same? Position of swaz and dates look virtually identical?? So...maybe yes, they are from the same factory...

But I wouldn't take my word for it!

[Steinar]

not from the same maker IMHO

Is the swastika under the frame? that can explain why the date seems to be higher...

[Adrian]

Thanks for the opinions so far guys, so far we have one each way. Yes, the swastika has pushed under the frame slightly and that corner is standing slightly proud. I'll see we can gather a few more thoughts before I post the makers mark on the second cross for opinions.

[baldy1939]

I don't think they are the same for one reason i can see & that is the inner corners on the frame on the first cross are less rounded than on the second cross , but as a newcomer what do i know !! Mark

[Steinar]

also, the beading seems to be slightly thicker on the mm 25

[Friedrich]

I'm not one of the guys stocking 100+ EKII:s either, but.. 25 was an "Arbeitsgemeinschaft", and the mm25 I have also shows the beading being "off center" from the frame like on the second cross, slightly overlapping the swaz (sorry, no pics tonight).. On the other hand, I don't know what to make of the die flaws.. I wouldn't completely write of the second cross being a 25.. Then again, like said, I don't boast the knowledge of some of this forums members..

[Adrian]

Thanks for the comments guys, would like to hear some more if possible. Here are some pics of the makers mark on the second cross, is it a '25' or '26'. Depending on the angle you look at it from it's hard to say one way or the other.

[baldy1939]

Adrian , i have just found out my 25 & it shows similar signs of die wear like your second cross but the 25 stamp on mine is slightly different too yours as in the 2 & 5 are slightly further apart & the 2 looks a bit different . Would the maker have just one stamp or could there have been a few ? Mark

[Time Bandit]

Looks more like a 25 than 26 to me but then again it could be either...difficult to call?