L/15 marked Otto Schickle EK1

[streptile]

I want to share this 'L/15' marked Otto Schickle EK1 that is new-ish to my collection.

I'm confident there are no problems with it as I've discussed it with some very knowledgeable collectors, but I am open to any opinions and all comments.

Please enjoy the photos and thanks for looking!













Best,

[George Stimson]

Good going, Trevor! That's the kind of "L/15" that everybody likes!

[fabri-online]

Hi Trevor,
in my opinion you have find a fine and original L/15, the unmarked is not common but with m.m. is really very hard to find ! congrats !!

[beuwulf]

L/15 marked Otto Schickle EK1

Hi guys, here are mine L/15 cross...

[beuwulf]

L/15 marked Otto Schickle EK1

here are my L/15 cross...

[beuwulf]

L/15 marked Otto Schickle EK1

here are another pic...

[beuwulf]

L/15 marked Otto Schickle EK1

last one...

[fabri-online]

Hi guys, here are mine L/15 cross...

Hello,
in my opinion another beautiful cross !!

[streptile]

Thank you, George, for the comment.

Good going, Trevor! That's the kind of "L/15" that everybody likes!

I do also have an 'L15' EK1 that I believe is a Friedrich Orth late-war example, and I will post it here for reference.

Of note on this one is that (unlike the other example posted), the 'L/15' mark is stamped upside down on the pin.

This one came from the eStand a few weeks ago, by the way... so thanks to the seller and to those who helped me authenticate it before purchase!

[Roglebk]

What beauties, Trevor & Christian! What does the engraving say?

[streptile]

What a beauty Trevor! What does the engraving say?

Mine's the one shown in the first post, sans engraving. But I hope you like that one, too!

Also, as far as I know, the engraving in the second one is illegible (the question was asked in its eStand sales thread).

[adlerfan53]

Nice crosses. It looks like the inscription can be read on the second one. Just need some better pics.

[beuwulf]

L/15 marked Otto Schickle EK1

Hi guys, I think the inscription is: Karl Koch
Dessau / MnH (not sure of the last part)
Raguhnerstr. 137
And thank`s to: Ben Bijker who sold me the cross....
And for the decipher of the cross....

[Roglebk]

Hi guys, I think the inscription is: Karl Koch
Dessau / MnH (not sure of the last part)
Raguhnerstr. 137
And thank`s to: Ben Bijker who sold me the cross....
And for the decipher of the cross....

Hi Christian, Ben is 'the man' when it comes to rare ones Looking forward to seeing more of your collection...

[streptile]

And now an 'L15' EK1

I thought I'd post this one in this thread also, just for future reference.

I know there is some controversy about exactly who made this cross. The theory I am most comfortable with is that this one was made by Friedrich Orth, who had a PKZ no. of '15'. While Otto Schickle had an LDO no. of 'L/15', he also went out of business at some point (1942?). This cross looks a lot like known Orth EKs marked '15', but is marked 'L15' as can be seen (no / between the letter and the number). The theory is that Orth could added an 'L' it to his PKZ no. '15' sometime after Schickle's demise. Why the manufacturer would do this is unknown. Also unknown (well, to me) is whether this was in any way authorized.

There is also some anecdotal evidence that this was made by Orth: someone claims to have found a batch of these 'L15' marked EK1s outside the old Orth factory near the end of the war, if I recall correctly.

I did not make this hypothesis, but am repeating another member's ideas. Please correct me if I have anything wrong.

What is virtually certain is that Otto Schickle, who made the other two EKs shown in this thread, did not manufacture this cross.