Zinc, Bronze, Bronze wash... ????

[DanDan]

I'm a novice and noticed where Mr. S. Bianchi in his informative study on here stated that there are zinc, bronze-washed and a "few very rare bronze pieces" when it comes to the WAR MERIT CROSS-2nd class medals. So, I have a zinc one and then a couple of bronze looking ones (with crossed swords). If both of these bronze looking ones are in excellent condition and yet both look different, then how in the world would I, or can I, tell if either of these are of the "rare bronze" variety? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Are there any fool proof methods of testing them, etc. ? Thanks again, Dan.

[DanDan]

Question for Sebastian Bianchi... or anyone who can help!

Any help greatly appreciated in forwarding my inquiry to Mr. Sebastian Bianchi... I would really like to learn about this rare solid BRONZE 2nd class war merit cross... is Mr. Bianchi only referring to one without the crossed swords or is he referring to a rare bronze cross for the combat version as well?? How would one distinguish between one that is bronze wash and one that is solid bronze? Thanks, DP

[juoneen]

I believe the weight would tell the tale, so you'll need some kind of scale , either electronic or maybe a basic ohaus. I think the locals here might share the weights of all the versions , so does anybody have that available in their statistics on this KVK issue,and might you post it or send it to this guy through a PM. I Have all of them i believe , but i've never weighed them per se, but know they will weigh differently , and also the appearances are different to the eye. The top ring attachments on the bronze are soldered, where the later are cast on the washed ones, and the zincers always have that flat grey metal look zinc gets after 60 years.So be patient, and let's see what turns up. I wouldn't think the swords or non swords versions would be any different as to the way they are made for each of those types you mention..., except they will obviously weigh less witrhout swords, and be in a seperate catagory for each combatant or non combatant versions as to their weights per each different type manufactured IE:bronze, bronze washed, and zincer.

[Douglas 5]

Here is a solid bronce KVK 2nd class .

Douglas

[WEISNER]

Sweet Douglas! killer edge darkening patina!
Kevin

[Douglas 5]

Thanks ...
When I got it in the early 70s this was the most exspensive KvK w S 2nd class in the shop . The seller had only about 7 of these heavy ones left ( about 5 Bucks each) ..... in a shoe box with the original manufacturers box still as well and a bucket full of the plated /bronced and plain zink ones( 1 and 2 Dollars) - with and with out swords ! These too were all in original boxes that he dumped out - all made by the same local company . out of an old foundry across the river . A worker that bought buns and prezels next door about every day on his way to work .... just brought it all in - just plainly dropped it off - one day to the " Trödlerladen" - 2nd hand store .
At school others wanted one . A week later I went back and all were gone . ... including all the enameled 'Gleider Badges' he had - 10 bucks .

Douglas

[DanDan]

Here are the ones I am working with...
#1,ZINC ?
<br><br><center><img src="http://www.auctionzealot.com/members/whatdo/sword(0).jpg"><br><br><img src="http://www.auctionzealot.com/members/whatdo/sword(1).jpg"><br><br><img src="http://www.auctionzealot.com/members/whatdo/sword(2).jpg"><br><br>#2 BRONZE?<br><br><img src="http://www.auctionzealot.com/members/whatdo/sword(3).jpg"><br><br><img src="http://www.auctionzealot.com/members/whatdo/sword(4).jpg"><br><br><img src="http://www.auctionzealot.com/members/whatdo/sword(5).jpg"><br><br>#3 BRONZE?<br><br><img src="http://www.auctionzealot.com/members/whatdo/sword(6).jpg"><br><br><img src="http://www.auctionzealot.com/members/whatdo/sword(7).jpg"><br><br><img src="http://www.auctionzealot.com/members/whatdo/sword(8).jpg"><center><br><br><br><br> If you had to choose, which one of the three would you think is the more valuable? Any help appreciated... do I have a "rare bronze one" on the lot? lol<br><br><br><br>

[Douglas 5]

From the 3 - could I have a close up shot of the ring mount and a side shot of #2 .

Thanks Douglas

[DanDan]

Close-ups! Which one is my best medal?

Doug here are a few close-ups of the ring on medal #2.


<br><br><center><img src="http://www.auctionzealot.com/members/whatdo/aaa(medium).jpg"><br><br><img src="http://www.auctionzealot.com/members/whatdo/aab(medium).jpg"><br><br><img src="http://www.auctionzealot.com/members/whatdo/aac(medium).jpg"><br><br><img src="http://www.auctionzealot.com/members/whatdo/aad(medium).jpg"><br><br><center>

Which one do you think is my best (value) medal?
Thanks,
Dan

[Douglas 5]

#2 seams to be the best one of the group ... probably bronce . Do you have a weight for it ?

Douglas

[DanDan]

Weight...

Yes... I weighed both #2 and #3 since they both look bronze... and #2 is slightly heavier.

#2 is 23.4 grams or about .9 of an ounce.

#3 is 21.8 grams or about .8 of an ounce.

Are you the only one specializing in these types of medals? lol
Thanks for all your help!
DP

[Wood]

I don't think the bronze ones are rare, just harder to find.
Pete

[Douglas 5]

The weight matches mine at 23.20 grams .
Correctly said .... harder to find .

Douglas

[DanDan]

Cool!

That is pretty neat then to find they weigh the same... if you look at #2 and #3 you can see how they both are in great shape and yet both take on a different look to them. I will sell this one then as the solid broze variety due to weight, look and ringlet... I guess I better start looking now as how to price it being of the solid bronze "harder to find" variety or as Sebastian says, "few very rare bronze pieces." Let me know if you or anyone might have any good reliable links to find pricing ranges for the different metal compositions and or the maker's marks and relative value. Thanks again for all the help - fun fun fun!!

[DanDan]

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