Knight's Cross --- 4 835

[sonderverband]

I have never seen a Knight's Cross like this. It's marked "4" for S&L but then has an 835 silver content. The center is magnetic. It's very old and beautifully made. It came from a collection dating back to the 1960's. It's not a textbook example but it's so good that it may be an immediate post-war S&L.

I'd like to know what people think about it, as long as it's adults speaking. Rude, unprofessional comments are not welcome. Thank you.

[sonderverband]

back

[sonderverband]

800 marked loop

[sonderverband]

High, bold swastika.

[sonderverband]

last one

[Leroy]

This is not an S&L RK and the S&L markings are spurious. Gordon Williamson shows examples of this fake (with a variety of false markings) in his book. Although he indicated it was a "recent" copy (as of the date of the publication of his book in @1997), it has been around a lot longer than that.

The interesting thing is that there is a very nice 1957 version RK with Oakleaves, Swords & Brilliants (illustrated in Dietrich's book) which uses this same frame, leading one to wonder if, in fact, the frame was used by an unknown maker during the early stages of the war (up to mid-1941), then shelved due to the ban on private sales, "resusitated" again postwar for fakes, and then, one last time, brought back for the 1957 version. The maker of the cross in Dietrich's book is unknown and I have posted several places to see if anyone knows. So far, no answers.

[sonderverband]

Thats fascinating Leroy - thank you. I knew from the quality that it was an early post-war one and I wouldn't be surprised if there were original components. I wonder if the core is real too from old stock?

Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge!

[EK-collector]

I think I already posted this fake long time ago. I think it may be exactly this or some another with similiar features and others said it is fake. So

[Ludwig]

Bad cross.

[sonderverband]

The purists won't agree with this, but I have learned this cross is quite collectible in it's own right. It just shows you how quickly after the war the market for German relics outstripped supply and a booming business was created.

It's a stunning cross and a neat piece of the history of collecting these things. Thanks for the comments and PM's!