Iron Cross Marked L/73

[Tony Barto]

Does anyone have an idea on who the maker L/73 was? I just picked up an IC 1st Class with the maker mark stamped into the pin.

[ERIC S.]

Hi tobiasclassic,
I for one don't know - I don't know if the L numbers past L/66 exist or just haven't been identified yet.
In all references available to me there isn't any that identify an L number past L/66. Are you positive it's L/73?
ERIC

[Luftm40]

Are you sure it isn't L/13? The 1 sometimes looks like a 7

[Hannibal]

L/73

Hi Tobiasclassic
Accroding to Christopher Ailsby L/73 is the known maker on 1939 EK1. However he doesn't has the name of the firm. Hope this helps.

[Gordon Williamson]

I have never seen any evidence that there is such a number as L/73. Highest known LDO number is L/66.
Karl Erbacher of Pforzheim was 72 ( without the L/ prefix) not as far as I know a licensed manufacturer of LDO pieces, but a contractor to the Präsidialkanzlei.


Gordon

[Tony Barto]

Hello everyone;

Thank you for your responses. I will have to recheck the makers mark again. I'm going to have to use a 10x jewelers loop to make it out. I will let you all know.

Tony

[Tony Barto]

Hello again;

I've looked at the piece through a loop and it is definetly L73 stamped on the obverse of the pin just like Mr. Garveys. The center is also non-magnetic. Does anyone know if there are reproductions of this badge with this particular L73 code?


Tony

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Tony,

I'm not aware of a L73 marking (/ or no /) on an EK1 genuine either. I have heard of the marking before but I cannot remember if the item in question was good or bad. Is it possibly for you to post digital pics or scans of the cross - front and back? This would help a great deal and get you a more definitive answer.

Regards
Mike K

[Tony Barto]

Hi Mike;

I don't have access to a scanner or camera at this time so unfortunately I can't. I have an inspection period on it and am just going to return it to the seller.

Tony

[Mohawkwarrior]

Hello,I am the seller,when I had the cross I was not able to read the tiny stamp even with the large loop I have.It appeared to me as either an L/18 or 13 in a little indented box.The cross is excellent in construction and detail.I will happily refund Tonys money though as it is never good to have something you doubt.I personally like it and being a tunic collector it will always have a purpose.John

[Mohawkwarrior]

Bill,When I first obtained this cross I thought it was one of those L/15 crosses but the marking was different when I looked.I didnt buy it myself,it was traded to me for some Indian Dance regalia which I make.I sold the tunic it was on so I decided to sell it as well.Im not completely convinced it is a fake,if it is theyve been around a long time.

[Mohawkwarrior]

I have received the cross back from Tony and decided to try a Magnet on it.The Iron core IS most definately magnetic.As for the stamping it is very difficult to read and I still cannot even with a loop.

[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

The cores of the L15 repros are ALSO magnetic. Even though a very small image is provided, the shape of the main pin visible is to me very reminiscent of the L15 repro. For the record, I was contacted by the collector I had the L73 discussion with and his was indeed another version of the L15 repro. Keep in mind that everyone refers to them as L15 repros BUT it is sometimes forgotten that these repros are also encountered with other makers marks (eg L11) using the same tiny incuse relief form. Even more dangerous though are the UNMARKED crosses. Detlev featured one of these repros recently and he rightly pointed out that one of the main identifying features is the shape of the main pin.

Regards
Mike K

PS: I've played with the maker's mark image and to me it looks like an "L", then a "/" which sits patially ON the L (not next to it) and then what looks like an angular "3" without the middle horizontal stroke of the 3. Only 3 characters appear to be present, so maybe it's supposed to be L/3 - which is also not a known LDO manufacturer.

[Mohawkwarrior]

Bill, That definately looks like the cross I have.They are certainly high quality for being repro.Not a flaw to be seen except the wierd L number.How old are they?

[Mike Kenny]

As far as I know they started coming out mid to late 80s and were exposed in the early 90s in an issue of Militaria Magazine. I'd heard them attributed to Floch (sp) in Austria.

Regards
Mike K