333 marked EKII

[Tim C]

Hi Dez,

I think Manions have gone well beyond disgraceful. I have 2 pieces of junk in my draw courtesy of them, bought before I joined this great forum, and before I realized the true meaning of their standard description : " 100% Original ! "

Regards,
Tim

[Seppl]

These spurious Crosses started appearing in 1995, even reputable dealers had them and were also caught out, by these EKs in their blue pakets. One well known German Dealer sold them as pre LDO, with 333 & 666 being the Silver mark!
Servus,
Josef

[Macmedal]

Check this link to my earlier post on 333 crosses.

Even if there was no makers mark of "333" tell tale signs are golden hue to silver rim & die flaw on beading. When you have seen a few they become a lot easier to spot but still are very good.

I recently saw an EK2 1914 with the same golden hue and in absolutely mint condition. I was very suspicious and left it alone. Wish I had bought it to study it further.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...&threadid=5385

[McCulloh]

The Spanish Connection

Hmmmm... I first encountered these in the Spring of 1996-but know they were in circulation by the Summer of 1995 in the USA and in Europe.
Interesting that in the two instances where I know dealers had them-they both got them (in batches of 50) from a reputable" dealer in Spain-who KNEW they were fakes (and admirtted as much when called on it by Bill Shea).
The unmarked ring versions started to proliferate in late 1996 and early 1997 but I haven't seen one except on e-bay in a couple of years now.
I have however, seen superb 'reenactors' 1914 EK2s-whci make me shudder.
Sigh-
JeMc