The Value of an EK1

[ChrisJ]

I believe that this thread belongs here (so I will ask your indulgence George/Gordon)
I have been reading Ernst Junger's "Storm of Steel", and this passage is relavant to us all I feel:

"As I marched I noticed that my iron Cross 1st Class had become detached and fallen on the ground somewhere. Schrader, my servant and I started to looking for it, even though concealed snipers were shooting at us. At last Schrader picked it up out of a tuft of grass, and I pinned it back on."

Just goes to show, the award cross was valued so highly that they were prepared to risk death from snipers to recover it. It could just be that that cross is in someone's collection now...and its the hidden story behind the crosses is what strikes a chord with me, and I am sure with many others who contribute to this forum.
Maybe his cross has been passed over by collectors in favour of an unissued minty example.
Oh well, thats my thought for the night !

[Dez H]

Chris you are absolutely correct, we simply don’t spend enough time considering the issues and facts behind the awards we collect. Sometimes we get so caught up in maker’s marks, variants, finding that absolutely stone cold mint piece that has sat in a warehouse for the last 60 years. Rather than the honest worn examples. If only the pieces we collect could tell the stories of their once brave and proud owners. Stories of personal sacrifice, courage and comradeship on the battle field. This is what the Iron Cross symbolises, without this it is just a worthless lump of lifeless metal. We should honour all solders who have served their countries with professionalism and bravery, rather than branding the “losers” as all nazi bastards.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o></o>

[ChrisJ]

Chris you are absolutely correct, we simply don’t spend enough time considering the issues and facts behind the awards we collect. Sometimes we get so caught up in maker’s marks, variants, finding that absolutely stone cold mint piece that has sat in a warehouse for the last 60 years. Rather than the honest worn examples. If only the pieces we collect could tell the stories of their once brave and proud owners. Stories of personal sacrifice, courage and comradeship on the battle field. This is what the Iron Cross symbolises, without this it is just a worthless lump of lifeless metal. We should honour all solders who have served their countries with professionalism and bravery, rather than branding the “losers” as all nazi bastards.<O></O>

Well said Dez !

[jani_tiainen]

One of the most important texts I have seen on this forum!

One of the key issues of my Collecting is the idea behind these awards, and as stated it is never brought up enough.

Thanks Dez,

Jani

[George Stimson]

Good thoughts, guys!

[Tiger 1]

Well said.

The worn pieces do have a story, it's just that we don't listen too well at times.

Tony

[Paul Massucci]

I think Dez said it all. I have an non-collecter but interested friend. He knows what certain badges are and what was needed to earn them, when he first saw some of my collection he picked up a GCB and simply said "WOW, some guy actually won and wore this". I think we all had that bit of respect/awe at one time but as Dez said got "caught up in maker’s marks, variants, finding that absolutely stone cold mint piece that has sat in a warehouse for the last 60 years" , now we get that feeling when we are sure a piece is authentic.

[Blitz]

Chriss and Dez, you are abselutely correct! We forget the history of the awards we collect too easily..

[Frank Scheepers]

Chriss and Dez, you are abselutely correct! We forget the history of the awards we collect too easily..

I can only agree with that.
Does anyone has some similar stories ?
I like those small , but for us , important stories.

Frank Scheepers

[Glenn R]

Storm of steel is a fantastic book, I recommend it to anyone.

[Blitz]

Here one small story from the Cholm pocket: Feldwebel Behle is standing beside his 5cm PaK. The sights is broken so he has to aim every shot with the barrel. 5 Soviet tanks show up. Granade in. Lock closed. "Feuer!" Pang! A hit! He shoots 20 times. None of 5 five tanks got through, the fifth blew up 40 meter's from the gun.

[tom hansen]

Here one small story from the Cholm pocket: Feldwebel Behle is standing beside his 5cm PaK. The sights is broken so he has to aim every shot with the barrel. 5 Soviet tanks show up. Granade in. Lock closed. "Feuer!" Pang! A hit! He shoots 20 times. None of 5 five tanks got through, the fifth blew up 40 meter's from the gun.

This is the only reason I collect these medals. If there were no stories behind them or the achievements that are reflected by the medals, they would be a peice of jewelery with no interest. The technical componants of the medals I have thought were to verify authenticity, and thus verification that there is some story behind the medal, beyond a craftsman in Latvia.

[Chris_Werner]

Can't agree more. "Stone mint" generally leaves me stone cold!
I have one L-11 EKI that was "custom" vaulted by it's previous owner. You can see wear from gear, etc. rubbing it in places. If only it could talk. I like to hold it and close my eyes and imagine what deeds were performed to win this coveted award, and how it came from it's original owner clear out here to Kansas. I know it sounds silly, but it gives me a real human connection to the items we collect.

[paddywhack]

thats also why i collect these as well i have a lovely luw ground assault badge and its ANYTHING but mint but you could tell this went through some very very hard wearing!! i also found a very very nicely done peroid repair on it to!! if only they could talk!!! as for minty fresh eks they are indeed nice but a nicley worn one has a character to it that sets it apart from the minty ones!!
just my over taxed 0.02 cents worthy!!

[Dave Kane]

Chris I believe we are all 'romantics' at heart and although I'm not familiar with the book nor its author, I can't but feel the writing is a bit contrived!

I collect for the same reasons..with particular direction toward Knight's Crosses and the ultimate 'deed' that projected an individual to attain this status...but really would someone be able to identify the place etc. that the cross fell off and take the chance of being 'bopped' in the noggin...in real life probably not so I suspect that although these fellows held their award in high esteem the writings are probably 'puffed up' for the dramatic effect!

Dave