Curious about Cross and Wound medal gifts

[EricD]

Hello!
I discovered this site and forum when trying to do some research into these two medals. There's so much knowledge here! and I hope someone can help me.
I was given the medals by an elderly lady in Germany about 25 years ago. It was a great surprise to me at the time, and it's still a mystery to me that I have them. As I spoke no German in those days I couldn't really get to know anything about them, I'm ashamed not even to know her name. Anyway I've kept them safe all this time, but I wish I'd had the sense to somehow get to know more from her.
So now I've discovered all the knowledge in this site, so I thought I'd post up some photos for your interest, and in case anyone can shed any specific light on the medals.
Is it possible that the cross is a Schinkelform? It would be very interesting to know where it was manufactured, and roughly when it might have been awarded, if that's possible. I can get better photos if that would help any. The Wound medal is overall more puzzling to me. I even wonder if it could be a WWI medal?
Thankyou for any wisdom that you might be able to share.
Best wishes
Eric

[Dietrich Maerz]

Hi Eric,

welcome to the forum.

The EK2 is not a Schinkel type but rather a normal cross. The Wound Badge in Silver is from the Great War.

Dietrich

[AUSGANG]

I like the cross, just beaten up enough for me! You have probably read enough here to know that if there is a number on the large ring at the top, that will clearly indicate the manufacturer. Otherwise, I'm sure one of the experts can let you know. As stated, the wound badge is from WW1

[holsteiner]

Hello Eric,

this is a very nice imperial wound badge. If i'm not mistaken, you can find the maker mark L54 on it. The mark is in the lower left part on the reverse of the helmet.

Regards Carsten

[EricD]

Thankyou all for your replies, and guidance.

Carsten, I've looked very carefully for the mark L54, and with a big magnifying glass it's clear that there is a faint 'L' and the vague suggestion of a '5' but I can't make out any more than that. Certainly I wouldn't have noticed these marks if you hadn't pointed me to them.
What does the L54 mean? Maybe I can find that out from the site here somewhere.

Ausgang, sadly I can't find any mark on the ring. Maybe there's some other way to tell it's origin?

Dietrich, thanks for the advice. I just looked at photos here on the site and assumed the cross was a Schinkel. I must have got that wrong. It's 43mm accross, if that helps any. I think the Schinkels have finer detailing.

Thankyou again for your help, and in advance for any other words of wisdom.

I'm so sorry that I didn't find out anything from the old lady who put these precious family heirlooms (I assume) into the hands of a young Englishman back then in the 80s. Why she did that I have no idea. But I had imagined they were awarded to the same person, and now I know the Wound Medal is from WWI the mystery is deeper still. Perhaps one was a father's and one a husband's?

Thanks again.
Eric

[EricD]

Correction: I've been reading more on the site here about the Crosses, and I understand they should be 44mm, which this one is, actually. I checked and my first measure was clumsy. Interesting too to read about the rust-veining which it also shows. They must be really magnificent in pristine condition.

I particularly liked reading the recipients page here on the site. It's intriguing to wonder about the true history, and very sad to have missed the chance to know.

[EricD]

and apologies for not posting the wound medal in the correct forum!