Help on this Iron Cross

[Justin]

Thanks every one. What does it mean when the core is magnetic on iron crosses.

[Mike H.]

The core is the black part with the Swastika and date. It's a separate piece and is normally made of pressed iron, and therefore, magnetic. A few rare ones (in the overall scheme of things) had brass cores, and are therefore non-magnetic. These pieces are identifiable by a goldish color - if the paint is worn away or removed.

[Prosper Keating]

I have an EKII with what seems to be a whitemetal - zinc? - core on which the black finish is bubbling like the paint on a 1970s BMW motorcar.

PK

[Mike H.]

I've heard tell that some 2.EK's were made with zinc centers...

[Rich G]

Mike

I've heard of zinc centered EK's, but does that make them late war or pre LDO??



Justin

Judging from the back, your EK1 might be an unmarked Zimmermann (20 & L/52). Only a few makers used the tapered pin, and from memory I can only remember Zimmermann or L/19 (although I think Deschler used them too).

Regards

Richard

[Dez H]

George;
Regarding the L/19 EK you posted.......On the left arm in the top corner, is that corrosion or just the way the light has reflected?


Dez

[George Stimson]

Dez

It is corrosion where the paint has flaked off. Maybe it's copper-cored.

George

[Mike H.]

rgordon

Intriguing question. I'm interested in that answer as well. The zinc centers could be LDO pieces for KM personnel?

Godet (20, L/50) also used the slim, tapered pin. I don't know if they produced any brass centers, though.

[George Stimson]

per Mike H.

Here's the pin on an "L/50" Godet:



And just for the hey of it, here's the front:



This one has a magnetic core.

George

[jlava]

<H1>non-magnetic L/19 EK1...</H1>

[Ron Westerduin]

I like your cross Justin,I have a simmular cross in my collection.........do you hve any idea who the maker is ???



Ron

[Justin]

Not really Ron I havent takin the time to reserch it yet Ek's are not really my thing. But ill get to it eventrully