Round Three Story

[eindecker2]

Hello Folks-
Just aquired a beautifull Ordenspange with a 1939 EK2, Eastfront, 4 year service and Sudnetlnad medal. To my surpirse the EK2 is a round 3 variant - I would like to find out more information into these types -
Thanks
CD

[George Stimson]

I don't know much about the reason for the round 3, but I'd love to see a picture of the bar!
(Also, did you pay a "regular 3" price for it?)

George

[Gunner II]

Round 3

The round 3 is a odd thing in the I.C. world. The I.C's from WW1 also can be found with the round 3. Some think that the round 3 is a remain of a producer's preference to the ww1 I.C. or some have the opinion that the producer just re-used the old round 3 to make his moulds.

[Dez H]

If you look at the obverse date on a 1939 Iron Cross, you will see that the top arm of the number "3" is smooth on top. At some point in the early production of the 1939 EK, maybe late 1939 early 1940, a die set was produced that had a flaw in the date, the “3” in all of the dates were rounded. These EK’s were discarded for issue and both the production dies and the EK’s that had been produced were destroyed.



Dez

[herrgeezer]

Hello Dez,

The "3" is in the year 1813 which is stamped on the back of the 1914 & 1939 cross. I personally have not seen a round three in a 1914 cross, so it would be interesting if any forum has one would share a picture of it.

That brings the question to mind; does the round "3" 1939 cross have a round "3" on the back of the cross in the year 1813?

[George Stimson]

re herrgeezer

"does the round "3" 1939 cross have a round "3" on the back of the cross in the year 1813?"

Mine does. It also has a "hump" in the center of the top arm where the smaller ribbon ring is attached. Does yours, CD?

George

[ERIC S.]

Hi David,
My "Round 3" EK2 also has the rounded 3 on the reverse in the date "1813" - Also, the core is not smooth under the black finish - sort of like a "dimpling" to it.
ERIC

[eindecker2]

Pictures of my round 3

Here are the pictures of my medal bar - a friend of mine got it from Germany on a buying trip - he failed to notice the round 3 and so did I unill I went to mount it for display - so I only paid a regular EK medal bar price

http://www.auction.2y.net/user/einde...20bar%20ek.JPG

http://www.auction.2y.net/user/einde...r%20ek1813.JPG

http://www.auction.2y.net/user/einde...r%20ek1939.JPG

http://www.auction.2y.net/user/einde...edal%20bar.JPG

hope this helps to compare or whatever-
CD

[George Stimson]

Hump

CD,

Yes, yours does have the "hump" in the center of the frame on the top arm where the small ring is attached. I've heard that all "round 3" EK 2s have this feature.
Nice bar! (And nice price!)

George

[Ron Westerduin]

I will buy a cross with a round three soon......i will post some pictures of it.......will let you know


Ron

[Soldat11]

Any ideas which is the rarer item a schinkle or a round 3 EK2 ?

I have a round 3 EK2 will post some pictures soon.

[Tim Calvert]

$62 at a gun show!

[Tim Calvert]

finsh is smooth

[Mark S.]

Very nice looking Iron Cross, Tim. Love that patina..

In comparison between the one CD posted links too and the one Tim shared, I couldnt help but notice that the swastika on CD's seems to have a step to it. Other than that and the finish differences, they appear to be the same cross.

Significant? I dont know. Interesting though.

[Greg S]

I have an ek2 w/round 3 but it also has a step as you describe Schroeder and as the picture CD posts. What is the significants of the step and/or what is it? I was worried it was a fake, can it be a true ek2?