"Early" Souval RK with OLS

[Alex W.]

Hi,

I would like to hear your opinion on this "very early" Souval RK. It's a rather unusual piece compared to the usual post war Souval RK's.

The frame does not match the known Souval post war frames. It has none of the typical Souval frame flaws at all.
The loop ring also differs from the usual Souval crosses.
This is also the first Souval RK that I've handled that has a non-magnetic core. (zink core?)
The cross has no markings like L/58 or 800 which are usually found on Souval RK's.

Same goes for the OLS, not marked. I'm not sure if you can tell by the pics, but the highlights on the OLS are polished and are shiny. All in all the quality of is cross is nicer than 1960's Souval Rk's. The soldering and silvering is done better than on those pieces.

Is this a late 1940's - very early 1950's cross or a display/fare piece

Thanks for your opinion ?
Alex

[Alex W.]

Ols

[Alex W.]

KC reverse

[Alex W.]

OLS reverse

[Alex W.]

Front Kc

[Alex W.]

Last one

[merdock]

Hi,
I also have one like this returned in 1949 by a British soldier.

[Alex W.]

Hi,
I also have one like this returned in 1949 by a British soldier.

Interesting, can you post pictures of your cross too ?

[Matthieu]

I've already discussed this particular piece with Alex extensively.

First thought was a Souval core place into St&L frame. If you look at the loop eye, the configuration is somewhat similar to 1957 KC's.
But the frame does not show any known flaws ( dent row and others ) ... therefore I must assume a frame made by Souval themselves ???

All my Souval KC's ( and Grand Cross ) always had magnetic core. This one having non-magnetic core ( assume zinc core ) is a first for me.
Also the high level of finish, frosting ... well, overall bling-bling is not commonly found on Souval KC's.

Therefore I assumed it had to be an early postwar made piece ( somewhere between period 1945-1960 ).
Seeing Souval were not allowed to manufacture the KC during wartime, at what stage did they commence after 1945 ?
We now they made a large variety of badges after-market for GI's and veterans.
So where do we place this particular KC ... 1945-1950 ? Or 1950-1960 ?

Also the OLS attached to this item are very well made ... much better then the later hollow version marked "800" or even "L/58".

I do hope we can get a good discussion going on this piece !

Mathijs

[Tony T-S]

Me too. As I looked at these and going by the title of the thread, I thought to my self that this is the best looking Souval RK I'd seen to date.

[blitzkrieg gsd]

It is a very nice RK no doubt about that but something seems weird to me. Maybe the back of the OLS I keep going back to that. I'm very interested in these RKs I plan on putting one in my collection as soon as the funds allow me. For me the Souval is the next best thing to a war time RK. Maybe the manufacturing style changed early on and this being a early style didn't have the flaws we look for on a Souval. Lets wait to hear for the experts on this maybe they will have the answers were looking for.

[merdock]

Heres mine ,my photos are not as good i'm afraid

[merdock]

unmarked plated hollow backed O&S
Ribbon is original and obviously worn was a struggle to remove due to the bent suspender on the O&S will try for some better photos

[merdock]

1

[Alex W.]

Thanks for showing your cross. Is yours unmagnetic too ?