K&Q EKII, back to basics...

[Robert P.]

Hello everyone,

I just received this '65'-marked EKII and wanted to share it with you. It's not often I pick up a 'basic' EK, but this one had my name on it.


Robert

[Robert P.]

rev...

[streptile]

this one had my name on it.

I can see why...

Great piece. One of my favorite makers. It's easy to see why the German government relied so heavily on Klein & Quenzer for such a large proportion of their award pieces.

Incidentally, the foremost maker of award-type 1914 EK1s and EK2s, maker 'KO', is presently unknown. By my own personal estimation, I'd say easily 1/4 or so of the awarded examples of both classes during WWI were marked 'KO.' The old theory that 'KO' was Königlisches Munzamt Orden has now proven untenable. Folks have been seeking the real 'KO' for some time now, and the leading theory is Klein & Quenzer Oberstein. It would make some sense, and present us with an appealing sense of continuity, if 'KO' were K&Q -- the same maker who made so many WWII EK1s and EK2s for award purposes.

[Robert P.]

That's very interesting Trevor,

Not a 1914 collector I have never payed much attention to the details of a 'KO' cross. Are there any similarities between the two? I'll have to do some searching in the Imperial forum...

Robert

[streptile]

That's very interesting Trevor,

Not a 1914 collector I have never payed much attention to the details of a 'KO' cross. Are there any similarities between the two? I'll have to do some searching in the Imperial forum...

Robert

Hi Robert,

There are no design similarities, which is one of the reasons some people doubt the theory. But of course, with the new size and design requirements, there wouldn't necessarily be any similarities. The question remains: K&Q made a ton of 1939 EKs. Where are all their 1914 EKs? Could they be 'KO'? I think, yes, they could.

[AFF96]

Trevor, are there any construction similiarites between the 1914 KO EK's & the 1939 K&Q EK's?
Thanks!
Greg

[Robert P.]

The hardware on the 'KO' EKI is quite different to that of a K&Q EKI. If the two are by the same maker, theoretically, you would expect to see some similarities in the hardware. A good case in point is Meybauer. But, this could have all changed when they tooled-up for the new '39 crosses.

Robert

[AFF96]

Thanks Robert!
Greg

[Michael Kuligowski]

I am glad You like this cross Robert ! never been in any collection aside from mine - and now Yours I am really happy it found a good home

sorry for "stealing" this thread... but ...
here is his companion for past few years that belongs to a GJ trooper group, this one stays with me though ..

[Robert P.]

Thank you for the photos Mike,

Both of these crosses have excellent patina. Sound crosses.

Robert

[Flemming]

These two EK really looks nice

Even though K&Q are one of my favourite EK2, I am still missing one in my small collection.

/Flemming