800 stamped EK2

[JerryW]

Gents,

I would like to hear any comments on 800 stamped EK2s. I have a "77" hallmarked EK2 with a "800" stamp on the reverse upper arm. I have not seen many, only 2 counting mine. Where do these rate as far rarity and can anyone comment on why they were made with 800 silver. Thanks in advance and my apologies for the poor picture.

JerryW

PS the cross also has an "x" on the small loop on the frame.

[Greg S]

I have not seen any outside of any books. I would say they are quite rare.

What does the X represent?

[JerryW]

Greg,

The the mark on the loop looks like the mark on cross you posted in the recent acorn EK2 thread. It looks more like a + sign.

JerryW

[JerryW]

Nobody has one of these...?

[George Stimson]

Not me.

[Greg S]

Nope I don't have one either but I am looking.

[JerryW]

Here are some pics of another 800 marked EK2. Maybe this will get the thread going again.

[JerryW]

another

[JerryW]

the 800 mark

[Rich G]

Jerry

What I find odd about your EKII is that it would appear that the '800' was added after the cross was assembled. That has cause distortion on the frame as you can see. It was my belief that the mark would have been added before assembly. At least, that's how I believe RK's are marked.

Could you show a closer pic of the front of the frame where the marking sits?

Rich

[JerryW]

Richard,

I have to wait until tomorrow and some natural light to get a good picture - I have tried with little success with artificial light. My digital camera is not the best, or maybe its the photographer!

There is a slight bend in the upper arm of the cross. My guess is the same as yours - it was made when the 800 was stamped into the frame. I have a couple 800 WW1 EK2s and this cross is definitely made of silver, it just has that feel. I don't know if the frames were stamped before or after assembly, maybe we will get an answer on that.

Adding to the mystery is an "x" stamped into the little ring on the frame. It looks like a quality control mark like on the back of an EK1.

Jerry

[JerryW]

After getting a few photo tips from a member I was able to get these pics. As requested by Richard, here is a closeup of the obverse.

[JerryW]

Here is the "x" mark on the little ring.

[Greg S]

I have looked through my EKII's for any markings I may have missed and on one of my 24 marked EkII's there is the x mark on the little ring just like yours.