Iron Cross ribbon

[Steve Mezey]

I have a question about EK ribbons and Ultra violet light? How should the ribbon look under black light to determine postwar vs Wartime period? Here is a picture with a few different crosses under the light.

Thank you
Steve M.

[blutundehre]

If it lights up like a christmas tree it is not period

[George Stimson]

The top and bottom ribbons don't bother me. (When they glow, they really glow!)

[Dennis J]

However there are some great quality ribbons that do not glow that are post war.So find one that you know that it is 100% orig. and use it to compair to ones you have doubt about jmp.

Enjoy your hobby
Dennis J

[schönbeck]

and a washed ribbon will glow as well, so this is not a 100% accurate method.

Burntest is another option, if it melts its bad

[blutundehre]

and a washed ribbon will glow as well, so this is not a 100% accurate method.

Burntest is another option, if it melts its bad

Good point

[Robert P.]

There are ribbons today on the market that are made in Yugoslavia which do not melt, and pass the light test. You can identify them by the number of warps in the ribbon's weave (fewer). The fake ribbon's edge weft is an odd whip-stitch, and does not conform to the other edge of the ribbon. Here is what both edges should look like on a period ribbon...

[Robert P.]

Here is a good link as to how a ribbon is made, illustrating the warp and weft...

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...a%3DX%26um%3D1

[Robert P.]

Here is a poor attempt at making an Imperial ribbon. Notice the non-uniformity of the edges. The top edge is whip-stitched, the lower edge is very irregular. This type ribbon is common replacement ribbon for scores of medals today, and is sold as period ribbon in most cases. Typically there are fewer warps in the weave, it passes the light test and will not melt when exposed to flame. It's very deceptive because of the latter two characteristics.

[joelhall]

generally a post war ribbon will glow like the centre one - think of the ghost train at the fairground! ill concur with shonbeck too - do not wash a ribbon with any cleaning products as this will cause them to glow under a uv light as well (not my doing i should add, but thats another story...)

[Robert P.]

generally a post war ribbon will glow like the centre one - think of the ghost train at the fairground! ill concur with shonbeck too - do not wash a ribbon with any cleaning products as this will cause them to glow under a uv light as well (not my doing i should add, but thats another story...)

Yes, I agree that most postwar ribbons will glow. It's these Yugoslavian ribbons which are causing the most trouble because they do not.