RKs made from EKIIs

[Spielhahnjaeger]

So I've seen a couple of RKs confirmed here as legitimate where members mentioned that it was an EKII made into an RK. Was that really a wartime practice? If so, where and how was this conversion made? How common are these EKII/RKs? Are they more or less desirable than other RKs?

[ben bijker]

It was a wartime practice indeed, but it will always be "just" a converted ek2.
Not worth paying a premium for IMO,
When it comes with rock-solid provenance maybe a little extra, but otherwise you will never know when it was done.....

[kaiserwilhelm2]

So I've seen a couple of RKs confirmed here as legitimate where members mentioned that it was an EKII made into an RK. Was that really a wartime practice? If so, where and how was this conversion made? How common are these EKII/RKs? Are they more or less desirable than other RKs?

Yes wartime practice as demonstrated in period pics. Definitely less desirable than a RK as it is just an EK2 which may or may not be hanging from an actual RK ribbon. The only more desirable EK2 is the one in RK size. These are rare and more expensive (about 600 euro). Cheers, W

[Spielhahnjaeger]

Thanks for your replies. I imagine the ring needed to be refused, the hanger added, and then an RK ribbon (or, KaiserWilhelm, are you suggesting they sometimes simply used an EKII ribbon?). Are there any manufacturers who practiced this more than others? How could fakes be detected?

[Flemming]

Thanks for your replies. I imagine the ring needed to be refused, the hanger added, and then an RK ribbon (or, KaiserWilhelm, are you suggesting they sometimes simply used an EKII ribbon?). Are there any manufacturers who practiced this more than others? How could fakes be detected?

It was not done at the manufacture, but by the recipient, or maybe the recipients friends.
ou can also see some RK made out of other materials, made on board a ship or submarine.
But Again, without rock solid provenance, these will just be what they are. A messed with EK II or an attempt to make a copy of a RK.

And for me, "rock solid" provenance would NOT be a simple letter from a dealer stating it is so, but a period Photo showing the medal in use/Wear.

/Flemming

/Flemming

[kaiserwilhelm2]

I got one of these EK2 s as KC. Was it used actually used as such I do not know. It has an EK2 ribbon made into a KC ribbon complete with pieces of strings sewn on to it to knot it. It is a nice piece which I got for 125 euro so I am not too worried if it is all together not 100% period, it looks the part though and I am very happy with it.

[Tom B]

Just EK2's !

When an EK 2 was used in place of a KC, it was just what it was an EK 2 ! In most cases a Long piece of EK 2 ribbon was used. I have seen an additional KC style ribbon ring used so the cross would lay properly. ALL of these EK 2 substitutes were due to the fact that the man's unit did not have an official KC to be used at the time of award. In most cases the recipient wore them until an original could be obtained. These EK2's were nothing special, just plain old EK2's and not made for any other reason. The Ubergrosse type were also just what they were, a Mfgr.'s EK2 that had a larger frame. Tom

[nick-j]

As others said the EK 2 was used if the KC wasn't available but it's also well documented that another KC winner would lend his to the new recipient

[streptile]

Here's one made from a Deschler that I would love to own:





... but without a photo of the thing in wear, I wouldn't pay more than the price of an EK2.

[tinmantis]

it wasn't too expensive either, if I remember rightly
regards
jon

[vonStubben]

it wasn't too expensive either, if I remember rightly
regards
jon

Me too..."missed it by that much"!

Chuck