Help authenticating a purchase

[CarolK]

Need people's opinions about the authenticity of an EK which I am in the process of buying.

I've not yet received it, but it is pictured at the following URL (a shop in the online antiques "mall", Ruby Lane). Once I receive the item, I will have 3 days to decide whether or not to return it:

http://www.rubylane.com/shops/donnam/iteml/RL822#pic1

If anyone thinks it's a fake, would you please point out why? I am completely new to EKs.

Also, I am purchasing it for $143 plus postage. Is this a reasonable price?

Thank you all in advance for your time and consideration!

[Snni]

Hi, and welcome to the best forum online..
I think that the cross is original, but it is way to expensive!
I would not give any more then 80-90$ for that cross.

I gave 100euro for this markermarked 100, thats about 145$, I think.

A good place to buy Ek2's is on the Estand on this forum..
Best Regards

MM100 Stone Mint.jpg

[Snni]

The back

MM100 Stone Mint..jpg

[Snni]

By the way, the one you are asking about are also a maker 100 = W&L,
I can't see any marking on the small ring.

[stukapilot]

It's an original EK made by W&L (100 on the rim). The price is a little bit higher than you can get here IMHO
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=414478

[Snni]

It's an original EK made by W&L (100 on the rim). The price is a little bit higher than you can get here IMHO
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=414478

That one is on the way to me also

[CarolK]

Snni, thanks for the warm welcome and quick response!

The shop owner's item description mentions that "100" is stamped on the suspension loop, but the photo's resolution isn't high enough to show the stamp.

Wow. Very grateful to see your photos of what a ~$145 USD Wachtler & Lange *should* look like. Thank you for recommending a better source for EK2s.

Elsewhere on this forum, I seem to recall having read that no WWII EKs had solid silver (800 or better) frames, but were made with "neusilber". Is this true?

Thank you again for your help!

[Snni]

Snni, thanks for the warm welcome and quick response!

The shop owner's item description mentions that "100" is stamped on the suspension loop, but the photo's resolution isn't high enough to show the stamp.

Wow. Very grateful to see your photos of what a ~$145 USD Wachtler & Lange *should* look like. Thank you for recommending a better source for EK2s.

Elsewhere on this forum, I seem to recall having read that no WWII EKs had solid silver (800 or better) frames, but were made with "neusilber". Is this true?

Thank you again for your help!

You are very welcome.
Until you become an "expert" on EK's just post them inhere, and many forum members will help you the best they can.
I'm not sure about the frames, so I will leave that to another to answar that, but I think you are right
Regards

[CarolK]

...The price is a little bit higher than you can get here IMHO
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=414478

... and mine has seen a bit more of a bruising, it seems.

stukapilot, you are a master of understatement. Thank you for the link. streptile's is a beaut, at a much lower price than I paid.

Snni, are you really buying the streptile W&L? If so, good for you!

[Snni]

... and mine has seen a bit more of a bruising, it seems.

stukapilot, you are a master of understatement. Thank you for the link. streptile's is a beaut, at a much lower price than I paid.

Snni, are you really buying the streptile W&L? If so, good for you!

Yes i bought the W&L and would have the L/13 also, but I was to late

Good luck with you EK hunt, but when you start, you can't stop again.
This is my new crosses for the last 4 months, and i have 8 more in the post.

1 015.jpg

[CarolK]

That's what I was afraid of!

Now, I'm already feeling about also missing streptile's 1914 EK2 S-W.

(Magnificent haul, by the way! Gives me goosebumps. The stories those EKs could tell....)

[Adrian]

Now, I'm already feeling about also missing streptile's 1914 EK2 S-W.

Never beat yourself up about missed opportunities or you will surely be doing it alot. We've all missed out on things occasionally but remember another one will always come along.

[CarolK]

Thanks, Adrian!

As a novice, what I have begun to notice is that, although more than a million 1939 EK2s were made, their individual *craftsmanship* still had a lot of heart in it. Amazing.

I haven't yet handled a real EK of any kind. Yet, from the forum's photos of faux vs. authentic, it seems that, time and again, the fakes reveal themselves through shoddy craftsmanship.

[Snni]

Thanks, Adrian!

As a novice, what I have begun to notice is that, although more than a million 1939 EK2s were made, their individual *craftsmanship* still had a lot of heart in it. Amazing.

I haven't yet handled a real EK of any kind. Yet, from the forum's photos of faux vs. authentic, it seems that, time and again, the fakes reveal themselves through shoddy craftsmanship.

The fakes are often just made of 1 piece of metal, and the real of 3.
But there are 3-part fakes out there, so have your eyes open.
And yes as you mention, the fakes often have very soft details

Regards

[Snni]

By the way, I think the number of EK2's awarded was more like 5 million, but can't remember.