935 4 RK opinions

[michael leone]

935 4

to me it looks like some type of glue residue? it has a film like quality to it on both crosses, does anyone have an idea as to the cause of this appearance on two different 935 4 marked crosses ?

[BobI]

I just looked at the cross under a loop. Perhaps some sort of lacquer they used for some reason? I never noticed this on a RK or even EK before.
Bob

[John Henderson]

Hello,
perhaps too much solder flux and heat at the time of production??
Only a guess but, if too much heat was used this would bind any residue to the core paint.
I see the 9 o clock arm reverse also has it.

regards John

[vonStubben]

The blemish has absolutely nothing to do with manufacturing, heat, or anyrhing like that at all. Many Iron Crosses develop this type of discoloration due to age, humidity, etc. It is a natural occurance and I have seen it on MANY crosses. In fact if a Q-tip with a little oil were applied to that area it would disappear. It is no big deal so lets not try to make it one.

[Leroy]

It looks like "masking" to me from a second paint spray after assembly (which was done on some crosses to cover any blemishes).

I don't believe it's just natural discoloration from age when the shape and curvature of the area matches so closely between crosses.

[BobI]

Hi Leroy!
This cross has been known of for some time, in fact, pictures were sent to me about a year ago to verify its originality after being bought at a garage sale. The owner has been honest with his acquisition of everything and is a know person for decades. It was not repainted in any way shape or form.
Under magnification this film looks like a dry and discolored sap or lacquer. Sometimes around the border of a helmet decal there is an effect similar to this. I always have refered to it a boogers! I don't think I spelled that properly but you can probably guess where I was going with it.
Thanks!
Bob
PS- I wonder if Dietrich has seen this before, I bet it only comes up on "minty" crosses.

[Leroy]

Bob - There is nothing wrong with a second paint application (which was done at the factory) and my comments have nothing to do with the originality of the cross. I'm not implying that the cross was "re-painted" in any nefarious way. I just think it's interesting to see this pattern on two crosses from the same manufacturer, probably produced very close in time to each other.

I have seen this on crosses before, sometimes even with the side effect of occasionally having paint overspray up into the beading. Sometimes this is attributed to heat from the soldering process causing the paint to "climb", sometimes to a "re-paint" in modern times. Many times, however, I think it is more likely due to a legitimate re-spray after assembly to eliminate any nicks or blemishes to the core from the assembly and finishing process. Not every manufacturer did this and even those that did, did not do it all the time.

I have no problems with this cross and am just commenting on a "process". I also agree with von Stubben that you can see all kinds of effects from atmospheric conditions, which tend to be more obvious in the corners where moisture gathers, but this does not appear, to me, to be that sort of effect.

[BobI]

Hey Leroy,
Thanks for clarifying that, have you held a cross in hand with this effect? It really has an appearance of a dry lacquer or sap?
Thanks!
Bob

[Larry Lipps]

I'll give you the top of my 935/4 you can use as a comparison. If you look closely, you can see a touch of black paint on the beading in the same area where you have the discoloration. I can certainly believe in the touchup theory.

[BobI]

Hi Larry!
Not the black paint on the beading, there is a shadow or discoloration on the core at the inner corner on the left side.

[Leroy]

I believe that the original paint (the first coat) is confined to the small area and that the second coat (a "flatter" paint) is what covers the rest of the core. It would be very interesting to see what the overall appearance of the core would be if the second coat had not been applied.

[Jody]

Rk 4 945

Hi guys,
Here is my cross.

Regards,
Jody