<<<Meybauer Cores>>>

[Robert P.]

Hello Gentlemen,

While looking over my (8) '23' EKII's this morning I found (2) which had Meybauer cores. I began pulling out my Meybauer crosses, both EKII's and EKI's, and started comparing them to the cores I found in my '23's. I found (3) different cores in my (8) Meybauer crosses: (6) Meybauer EKII's and (2) Meybauer EKI's. My unmarked 1st pattern Meybauer EKI had a different core from all the rest. I found the same cores in '7'-marked crosses as I did in 'L/13'-marked crosses. Everything must have been thrown into one bin.

Let me first offer a montage of the (3) '23' EKII's, the standard '23' core on the left and the (2) Meybauer cores on the right...

A second montage will follow with (5) Meybauer cores. Please wait for the second page to post before making comment. Thank you.

[Robert P.]

...the first 'L/13' EKII has a long down-sweeping nose on its '1', and extends halfway down the body of the '1'.

The last core ('L/13' EKI) has a very flawed '1', but resembles the second 'L/13' EKII core and the '7' core. I see (3) cores. How about you? If there are more, please post yours here for study.

[WEISNER]

Thank's for sharing this Robert! Meybauers are my favorite Crosses as they have a certain appeal in the Frame and Beading, Not to mention first pattern 1939 pin!
I will be pulling them out now to have a look!
Kevin

[Robert P.]

I notice in the above photo that the date in the 'L/13' EKII sits lower and is a little larger than the other dates, and the swasi may be a little larger too. It's definately more pyramid-sided.

[streptile]

Hi Robert.

First things first: what a great study you've done, and how very welcome! The photomontages are superb and the language you've used to lay it all out in is crisp and easy to follow. Thank you for doing this.

I've always liked Meybauer cores because of the "drop-shadow" effect they managed to give the dates by extending the pyramidical base on the bottom of the numbers. This is especially apparent in the center core in the first ('23') chart, and the leftmost core in the second (Meybauer) chart, in an EK2 marked 'L/13.' These seem to be the same cores, incidentally (more on this core later).

My lone '23' EK2 does have a Meybauer core. I believe it matches the center core on your Meybauer chart, the only '7' marked EK2. My two Meybauers (a '7' and an 'L/13'), I believe, have the same core. I'll have to post some photos in the thread tomorrow to verify as they seem very close, but I'm not 100% certain.

Unfortunately you've now given me a distinct new mission which will cost me both time and money: to find an EK2 with the "long-nose 1" date, as I find it to be very cool looking!

[Robert P.]

Thank you Trevor,

Yes, this is my favorite Meybauer core as well. The '1', with it's long down-sweeping top section, is very 'European' in style.

[Roglebk]

Excellent job Robert! Will post my "mid-late war" EKI core later.

Soon in a forum near you, a EKII Meybauer Schinkel study.

[Douglas 5]

Nice comparison : Pairs and types as follows .

Douglas

[Robert P.]

Very interesting Douglas,

So you think type 4 is different from the type 2? I'll take a much closer look at the cores in-hand again. Thank you for your opinion.

Edit: Yes, I believe you're correct. The '1' and '3' are definately different. Good eyes, Douglas!

[Douglas 5]

Here is my mm 7 high grade silver plated EK2 ... Type 2 .
Very worn early die as can be seen and the flaws .

Douglas

[Robert P.]

Thank you for posting this Douglas. My, those crowns are flawed!

[dc9]

Hello Robert,

Great reference piece!

I am posting a picture from an unmarked MM 23 that you previously suggested had a Meybauer core (http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=368991). I am not quite seeing the match to the 4 types listed - the closest looks to be a "Type 4" - would you agree, or, do you think it is a different Type, or does it look to be one of the "standard" MM23 cores like the others in your collection?

Thanks,

Eric

[Robert P.]

Eric,

Look with me at the '3' in the standard '23' cross's date (photo below, '23' on L), and compare it to your '3' above. The standard '23's '3' has a 'hump' on the right side of the number. I would say this cross of yours is either a '23' variant, or perhaps a Meybauer date found in my early unmarked EKI. This is going to take some more study.

[Robert P.]

Eric,

Take a look at these dates, compare. Yours on top, and one of my eight '23' crosses, below. If these are a match, and I'm asking for your help, I may have a variant '23' core in one of my '23' crosses. The swasi on this 'variant', like yours, doesn't have the 'pyramid-sided' look. All along I was thinking your core was a Meybauer because I missed seeing it as a variant to the '23' core.

[dc9]

Robert,

I know one thing for certain: either my photography skills, camera or lighting need improvement!

Sorry to detour your thread -- maybe we should go back to the one I posted?

I agree with your assessment that it is most similar to the '23' core you posted in the first picture on the left. The "hump" on the '3,' the alignment of the top of the #s and the tails, the slight swoop and style of the '1' all point to the MM23 Core (or "variant") and not the Meybauers shown.

Other features I stare at when I am learning to compare cores are the tilt of the last '9' and '1' relative to the rest of the date, the tilt of the top arm of the '3' (how "level" is it, or does it tilt to the left or right), how close the tail of the '9's are to the round part of the '9' (whether the '9's looked "scrunched") down or not, etc. (One could go blind with all this staring!)

Thanks for your time on this one. Here is my analysis on my date.

Eric