Low Date EK2 by 49 JFS

[DAK Rommel]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone can tell me about (or show) me any EK2's with 'low dates'.
I recently purchased a nice EK2 marked '49' on the ring.
One thing I noticed was how low the 1813 and 1939 dates were, to the bottom.
I read that some EK2's have low dates, but also that some repros have low dates as well.
If anyone can shed some light for me on 'low date' EK's I would be very happy.



DAK Rommel

[George Stimson]

Does it look like this one?

[davidww]

Hi George,

I also have an EK2 marked '49' in it's blue packet with Josef Felix Sohne on it. Looks like the one in your picture but on my example both the swastika and the numbers are low. I bought mine about 5 years ago but wasn't sure whether it was wrong or not. Can you please put my mind at ease?



Many thanks,
Dave

[George Stimson]

Mine came in a tan packet.
Here's the back.

[George Stimson]

And here's the maker's mark.

[TerryG]

Ek2

This one is unmarked. Numbers also seem "low".

[TerryG]

Ek2

the back.

[DAK Rommel]

Low JFS

Thanks for the images.

I seems as though my dates are even lower than the examples shown.
I measured it to about 0.75 of a mm, from the bottom rim.

I wish that I could post pics to show you but it wont let me yet.

Whilst not precisely similar, I would have to say that the top pic on the post below has a similar very 'low 1939'.
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...light=low+date

I got this EK with an Issue packet, but suprisingly not a matching packet.
The packet looks like it has the maker 'Jacob Bengal' or similar in a small box on the bottom left hand side (on the back)
The packet was orinally blue, but an Iron Cross has sat so long on top of it that the front is entirely grey, but for the Cross impression in blue.

DAK Rommel

[keifer kahn]

Hi Guys,
I wouldnt stress too much about low dates.the example you show seem to be Ok to me.Date heights will vary on Eks.
A fake ek will not just have the low date as an indicator,and everything else will be perfect.Once you find one thing wrong,you will undoubtedly find other mistakes as well.

If your Eks are fine in every respect,then i wouldnt worry about this .
Also remember,there are fake eks with high dates as well.

I would only worry when the date is actually sitting on the beading(no gap at all)

Someone mentioned low swastikas,as well.The supposed story that connected low swastikas=fake,stemmed from the souval copies of the 60,s.They had extremely low swastikas.But in reality,once again,the heights of swastikas on originals will vary from high to low.

There is absolutley no consistency in the "low dates"and "low swas",theories.

I dont think anyone told the germans to ensure the dates and swas were high so that collectors 50+years down the track didnt get confused with repros.



all the examples look fine.

regards keifer

[George Stimson]

Keifer is absolutely correct.

[DAK Rommel]

Low Dates

Thanks you guys.
Really appreciate the info.

DAK Rommel

[Sonderkommando]

I personally believe that these 49 marked EK2's are Floch copies. Have a look at Georges cross and you will notice that the beading is very shallow in its detail and has less beads across the ends of the arms as opposed to an original EK. Even comparing it to the one above, it is noticable. Also compare the beading characteristics to a Floch EK1 and you can see the similarity.
The cross of Terry's appears to be possibly an un-marked Wachtler and Lange as it has the low dates and the nub for the ribbon loop.
These 49 marked EK's with the low dates never have any frosting to the beading either which is another similarity to the Floch crap.
I have one in its matching blue packet and tissue paper with a length of unissued ribbon and feel that the packet and tissue paper is correct, possibly the ribbon is correct but I don't like the cross at all.
If anyone wants it, send me $140 U.S. and it's yours.

Regards,
Brett

[George Stimson]

That's a very interesting observation, Brett, and you are correct! The beading on my "49" EK 2 is identical to that on both my "L15" and "L11" fake EK 1s. Further, the "49" core is an identical match for the core of the "L11" (which is slightly varied from the core of the "L15").

[DAK Rommel]

49 Jfs

I have compared the photographs on this post to photographs of my EK2 by 49 JFS.
When zooming in on the beading in the photographs, I found out that my EK2 has a deeper, more bold beading than Georges EK2 example at the top , I would say that my beading is more defined and tightly packed.
I didnt get my 49 ek2 with a matching packet or tissue paper though.
But with a mismatched & very worn packet, that It has been paired with for quite some time.

I think, that considering that 49 JFS was a common maker, there should be a great number of genuine Ek2's by their firm, low dates or otherwise.
I agree though, that I have seen EK2's with matching packet by jfs in mint condition that I have stayed away from. I heard somewhere, although I dont know if its true, that there were quite a few mint (repro)jfs ek2's in packet with ribbon etc coming out of England a while back. (thats not to say that every jfs ek2 with the packet is bad)
Thanks for the info though DR1,
if you have any more tips on identifying flochs I would be greatful to hear about it.

DAK Rommel

[DAK Rommel]

pics

I cant seem to post pics of the ek2,
if anyone else could post them for me let me know, and ill email them to you to put up on the post

DAK Rommel