My first EK
Well, I just recieved my first EK (It's a 2 Klasse), and I can't believe how impressed I am with it. I have always wanted one, but I have just now started to take collecting more seriously. The construction is more like jewelry than a military medal. 
I need more of these. The center is magnetic & so flawless, black and featureless I can barely make out any detail in low light. It is 3 piece for sure, (it wiggles VERY slightly) the silver is very bright, but tarnished (is that normal?). If this is a repro, I'm scared to see the quality of an original.
It is a wonderful example (in my opinion), maker is "27", Anton (or Maria?) Schenkel, marked on the suspension ring. I got it on eBay - not the best place to start, but it worked out wonderfully.
I had several email conversations with the gentleman, and this particular piece is from a family grouping which included other WWII items, it was "captured" in Holland by his great uncle (yeah, I know, prove it, but the EK is very nice, and I believe it) He also has a Battle flag (I'm going to work on it) and some trench art he doesn't want to sell. When I purchased it, he "threw in" a grouping of RCAF and RAF pilot and aircrew pillow wings, which I believe are actually worth more than the Cross (together as a group). I will detail them on the Commonwealth forum. I'm not complaining.
A couple of questions:
1) how does the "burn test" work for the ribbon? It is really bright and crisp, I am worried it is repro, which would make me doubt the whole provenance story. I will get a blacklight bulb ASAP.
2) How difficult will it be to find a correct issue packet for this maker?
I have a few 3rd Reich items, most of which I have had since my youth, and am starting to put more focus into my collecting, centering on 3rd Reich.
I will post the pics after the weekend, I have to get paid before I can cough up the Association membership! (yes, I know, wrong hobby) Using all my spare pennies to drive my '53 Dodge M37 to the big Military vehicle (and gun) show in Iola, WI this weekend.
pics to follow!
Jeff
I need more of these. The center is magnetic & so flawless, black and featureless I can barely make out any detail in low light. It is 3 piece for sure, (it wiggles VERY slightly) the silver is very bright, but tarnished (is that normal?). If this is a repro, I'm scared to see the quality of an original. It is a wonderful example (in my opinion), maker is "27", Anton (or Maria?) Schenkel, marked on the suspension ring. I got it on eBay - not the best place to start, but it worked out wonderfully.
I had several email conversations with the gentleman, and this particular piece is from a family grouping which included other WWII items, it was "captured" in Holland by his great uncle (yeah, I know, prove it, but the EK is very nice, and I believe it) He also has a Battle flag (I'm going to work on it) and some trench art he doesn't want to sell. When I purchased it, he "threw in" a grouping of RCAF and RAF pilot and aircrew pillow wings, which I believe are actually worth more than the Cross (together as a group). I will detail them on the Commonwealth forum. I'm not complaining.
A couple of questions:
1) how does the "burn test" work for the ribbon? It is really bright and crisp, I am worried it is repro, which would make me doubt the whole provenance story. I will get a blacklight bulb ASAP.
2) How difficult will it be to find a correct issue packet for this maker?
I have a few 3rd Reich items, most of which I have had since my youth, and am starting to put more focus into my collecting, centering on 3rd Reich.
I will post the pics after the weekend, I have to get paid before I can cough up the Association membership! (yes, I know, wrong hobby) Using all my spare pennies to drive my '53 Dodge M37 to the big Military vehicle (and gun) show in Iola, WI this weekend.
pics to follow!
Jeff
The cross in the thread is a `schinkle`, these are the earlier type crosses possibly made up from the 1ww frames as they have much narrower arms compared to later crosses, also the swaztica and the numerals can be smaller, do a search on the forum for more info.Here is one of mine for comparison.
, it's mine. I have a packet for your cross, but it's in rough shape. It's missing the flap where the maker name would be, but it was verified on this forum some time ago. I'll look for the photo and put it up.
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