Neither of my F. Zimmermann's have the flaw. One cross is unmarked and the other marked. Yes, I would agree that this frame must be mid to late war with this flaw.
Looking at your example ('starved and bony') it reminds me of when these first started showing up on dealer's sites many years ago. I bought one JUST TO INSPECT IT. I honestly thought it was a reproduction or copy of an original F. Zimmermann. After awhile others began grabbing them and posting them for confirmation. Examples were found with real wear and nice patina, which gave way to the community of collectors accepting them as original crosses. Funny how things get solved. I like the 'starved and bony' design.
You then might like that 'bony' core also in an early silver frame - on the left and on the right same silver frame with UB size core where the inside corners had to be filed off for the center to fit .
Thanks Robert ;
Yes , it is one of the many different cores S&L produced and can be found with frames of other makers . Best when compared side by side to see the differances . I had been working on this knowing some one would ask .
My crosses are in abit in a mess right now after down sizing ... I found some more FZ,s .
S&L core types first :
Here is the rough comparison of a S&L with that same FZ larger core beside yours . The top of the S&L 3 has a minor tilt which the normal FZ dates do not have .
A S&L frame and same larger core :
Silver frames are rare and one way is jewler testing or sem testing ; other methode are tricky by comparison when you have one like a B type or UB cross to compare with ;then the color comparison shows the differance . A picture I posted once recently . The Ni aloy frame on the right speaks volumes .
D.
Just using or going by the top surface can be very deceptive .... being plated it will look nice and have the silver oxide tones to the surface . What helps to get an idea what the core might be - are the filed sides of the arms . Something that is silver plated will show the true base metal when the sides are filed . This plating is thin and filing the arms will go in alot of spots deep through the plating . Now how this exposed surface oxidizes to the air and appearance to the top surface will tell if you have the same material or not .
A good example is the B-type cross . The fille marks have oxidized the same way and intensity as the rest of the surface ....indicating it is same solid material .
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