Any concerns on this 26 code EK1 with box

[Jumper]

Hello and thanks for the great info and the great pics of the others!!

I did a search on the "Russian horde" very interesting to say the least.

Granted I'm not a "PURIST" as far as collectors go but since they all are saying the Russian Hoard ones are original WW2 German made.. does it make that big a difference as long as they were made pre 45?

SO they were "UNISSUED"..and unearned ?? To me that would mean they were in better condition hence higher value?

From the other posts I found that due to the EXCEPTIONAL Condition of the Russian ones they are in very high demand. One poster said that they were pushing $1000-1200

What is funny is the German dealer Helmut Weitze bought them all and was selling them in 1999 for 250.00 each.

Now they can't be found for under 1K.. Russian or not...

Mike H brings up a good point that the case mine is in is just in "OK" shape.. If not a Russian H one but one that MAY have been in a US serviceman's closet for 60+ years...does it make it More or less valuable?

Confusing stuff.. But I love the cross!!! Ive owned a ton of badges but nothing like this for condition.

Thanks J

[jt327gir]

Beautiful, original cross and box!

[Michael Everett]

"26"

Gents,

As the first to tap into Herr Weitze's hoard, I can confirm the following characteristics from the 175 which I purchased:

1. None had outer cartons.
2. All cases featured a square button lid.
3. All crosses featured a "regular pin" NOT the "variant pin".
4. The specimens closest to the bottom of the foot-locker exhibited bubbling to the black surface.

Over 500 EK2s were also part of the hoard but, were not purchased since they did not come with the paper envelope and therefore not in mint condition.

MIKE

[Wik]

Gents,

As the first to tap into Herr Weitze's hoard, I can confirm the following characteristics from the 175 which I purchased:

1. None had outer cartons.
2. All cases featured a square button lid.
3. All crosses featured a "regular pin" NOT the "variant pin".
4. The specimens closest to the bottom of the foot-locker exhibited bubbling to the black surface.

Over 500 EK2s were also part of the hoard but, were not purchased since they did not come with the paper envelope and therefore not in mint condition.

MIKE

Very interesting Mike.

I know there was some discussion as to WHAT all was in the find. Sifting through all the old threads, I was never able to find ALL the info. Thank you for sharing.

Were all the EK2s crap at that point then, or were they bought and released into the community but no one knows because of the "normal" appearance they have, rather than the minty look many of the EKIs had?


Ryan

[Michael Everett]

Ek2

Not sure what happened to the EK2s. Given that they did not have the paper packets, they went unsold. Not sure what the condition was however.

MIKE