The German Cross in gold and the Knight Cross posted here, are easy in my opinion to sort out as fakes.
Its not easy to give a thumb rule how the crosses should look, as there are some realy good fakes out there.
The best for you is to read and read again what members have written and posted here on the forum.
Cheers my friend.
Peter Wiking
Thanks Peter for your input, I have already learnt a great deal about these medals from this forum. It helps if you have some solid knowlage to base judgements on, thats why I asked the question.
Bruce
Make a folder on your computer and name it fakes. Save photos like this in that folder. Look at the photos in that folder from time to time and learn. Use them as a good guide on what to not buy.
Hi Bruce - I'm no expert by a long way but that SS decal to me looks no good, i'd put it in the helmet forum to get more responses but i would be surprised if it turns out good.
Sorry to bring bad news if true
Regards
Craig
Strong wind-magic mist, to Asgard the Valkries fly
High overhead-they carry the dead, Where the blood of my enemies lies - MANOWAR - Hail to England
Hi Bruce - I'm no expert by a long way but that SS decal to me looks no good, i'd put it in the helmet forum to get more responses but i would be surprised if it turns out good.
Sorry to bring bad news if true
Regards
Craig
Gyday Craig
Yes I think I will post it on the helmet forum, but I think you would be surprised by some close ups of both decals. I've been wrong before and may be proven so again.
Bruce
You should definitely have a read of this website's article on the German Cross In fact have a browse of the entire main site, a lot of very well researched articles and nice pictures. If you are interested in the Iron Cross awards you should get your hands on Gordon Williamson's book, "The Iron Cross of 1939" This has basically everything you ever wanted to know about the 1939 series and is very well written with clear pictures. For everything else Iron Cross related the "Iron Time" by Stephen Previtera is a must have. There is a few errors in this book (like all reference books) but is very clean and fresh in its layout and is packed with information, is really the "Bible" of Iron Crosses. <O</O
Now if you got all these items for basically the same price as the helmet, I would be concerned, an RK sells for currently between 12-16 thousand dollars Australia, plus the DKiG, $2,500, Iron Cross maybe $350.That is a serious amount of money, I am guessing the helmet was around $2000-2500, so if I was a dealer I would have no problem moving original items for at least 3 times that price. I don’t like to point the finger but to me it sounds like this dealer knew they were sour and was trying to flog it all off, maybe I’m wrong, that’s what it all sounds like to me.
Bruce, as suggested the Knight's Cross is indeed a fake! However, rather than just calling it a "fake" here is some information for you that might make it easier to explain to the buyer or even the seller.
This 'style' cross began to hit the collector market about 3 years ago.
As evidenced, they are finely made and incorporate some hints at a Zimmermann made RK.
That's it however! The cross comes in very light at approx. 25-26 grams.
They are found marked aywhere from a "Lazy" 2, L/12, 4, 900, 800, 935 and on and on!!
The method of 'ageing' these crosses causes them to appear almost a grey/black very much unlike natural patina.
Bruce, as suggested the Knight's Cross is indeed a fake! However, rather than just calling it a "fake" here is some information for you that might make it easier to explain to the buyer or even the seller.
This 'style' cross began to hit the collector market about 3 years ago.
As evidenced, they are finely made and incorporate some hints at a Zimmermann made RK.
That's it however! The cross comes in very light at approx. 25-26 grams.
They are found marked aywhere from a "Lazy" 2, L/12, 4, 900, 800, 935 and on and on!!
The method of 'ageing' these crosses causes them to appear almost a grey/black very much unlike natural patina.
Dave
Dave
This one is actually a bit heavey, weighs 33.3 grams.
Width- 48.2
Hight- 48.2
Total hight- 54.7
Ring width- 6.5
Thickness- 4.6
Centre does move inside the frame
Clip is stamped 800.
They certainly go to alot of trouble.
Bruce
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