Hi I'm new to this site and I was wondering if someone could help me ID a hallmark on a WW2 Iron Cross 1st class? It doesnt appear I can attach a picture from my comp it asks for a URL but I'll try to describe it . Its a screw type back, hallmark is right above the screw hole it says L59 and below the hole it has a triangle facing tip down? I looked L59 up on this site but is showed an X for the hallmark. Is my Iron Cross a fake? The numbers (L59) looks identical?!?! I can send a picture of it via email if that helps! Thanks!
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Ek
Welcome to the forum. If you want to post pictures you have to be an Associate member (click on A.Member on top to become one). L59 is for Alois Rettenmaeir. Screwback EKIs are harder to find than the pin back.
Jim -
Like Jim says, a picture would be best, HOWEVER, L59's have been identified with squares, triangles and x's among other wierd markings.
Just by what you describe I would be fairly confident it's a-ok
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Let's not forget these marks also! As found on my pinback L59 bought from forum member Stu "The Man" W. these marks are on mine ~o as well as L59 with no / between the L and 59.
Spend the small fee to become a member Foktar! Money well spent if you are thinking of becoming a collector of any TR relics!
KevComment
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Another quick thought here... And one of the forum Experten can weigh in here but... I have never seen a true L59 cross marked using a / between the L and 59, Does your SB have an / there? If so? Perhaps a well done fake?
Again I am no expert, just posting info from my travels on the net studying these L59 beauties!
And another tidbit! Alois Rettenmeyer only produced EK1's for LDO = private purchase, As far as I know? he produced no PKZ marked Crosses.
Again a forum heavyweight may know of a one off Cross, Or few Crosses marked 16? which was his given PKZ number.
I would love to see photos of your L59!
KevinComment
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Here's the rear of my L59 screwback, this one with an X mark. These various marks are thought to be quality control marks. I hear there has even been a small swaztica mark seen. As for PKZ marked pinbacks, I don't think there is one marked 16. PKZ marked EK1 pinbacks are actually fairly limited in the examples made, and picking up all of them, just with an example of each mark, is not impossible. Some of the LDO marked peices in both screwback and pinback are where the harder examples to find are. You can get a 16 marked EK2 however. I have one in my collection. In terms of rarity, yes screwbacks are generally harder to find, but I think it's easier to find an L59 srcrewback than it is to find an L59 pinback.Comment
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Posting these on behalf of Michael (Foktar).
Obverse.....Comment
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Reverse with screwback.....Comment
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Reverse looks good, but what happened to the obverse???
Bad re-paint???
Regards,
BenComment
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Looks like thick enamel someone used for a repaint. I've never seen an original finish like that...Comment
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Worth?
Thanks for all your help guys! I'm glad to see its original. The front does look like it was repainted? I'm a big collector of WW2 US Army Air Corps Wings and besides this cross I don't own any German military insignia. I try to hit up garage sales and military shows for WW2 items and always ask people if they have any military insignia they would be willing to sell. A few months ago I stopped at a sale and the lady hosting it came out with this cross. I thought it was cool! She said after her grandmother passed away a few military items were passes down to the family and among other things she got this cross. She also said that her grandfather served in WW2 and got it while fighting in Europe. She said she didn't want it because it was a Nazi item and she offered to sell it for $50. After some bargaining I bought it for $30. I was wondering if this was a good deal? I think this cross is really cool and I think I'm going to try to find another L59 cross screw back with 100% original finish.Comment
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I think it has been repainted, but maybe it's the photo. This detracts from the value and appeal for a collector. However, I think even someone without much of an idea about TR collectibles would have to say $30 is an absolute steal. You can't buy much more than a common tinny for that anymore. The backing plate would be worth more than that. Most screwback EKs are anywhere from $275-$350. The one I posted I paid $300 for awhile back, although that included the shipping and Pay Pal fees. I would have done it. Great deal.Comment
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The front side looks terrible!Originally posted by Adrian View Post
I'm sure there is rust under the laquer and would remove the colour with thinner.
Otherwise the rust will "work" on under that color layer till there ist no more core.
And in my opinion it's almost more attractive to see an naturally aged piece than that plastic finish..Comment
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Yes... A pretty good deal at $30.00, you did ok!
Yes... Some pretty bad looking paint! Too bad.
KevinComment
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Yeah, good deal; if it was mine I'd strip the paint off but sometimes its best to leave them alone. Here's a scan of the back of my L59 with square mark...Comment
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