RK KVK opinions

[Patrick W]

Hi Guys

Just picked this up cheap sold as a copy, having it in hand I think that it is an original type 2 so called 'heavy' Deschler. What do you think? did I strike gold?

Thanks in advance

Patrick

[Patrick W]

,,,

[MasterBo]

Can you make a close upmpicture of the uper inner swas corner, bitween the rays...

[Patrick W]

Hi

which side? left or right when viewed from the front and what should I be looking for?

Many thanks

Patrick

[Franco]

Hi,
The only way you could be really certain is to compare it closely to a known original
including weight and a silver test.

[mloppkit]

Hello Patrick,

You Lucky, Lucky man,

A dead match for Jeff V's beautiful Knights cross War Merit Cross without swords, complete with identical Date flaws and distinctive Swaz angle as all original 2nd Strike Deschler RK KvK's should show. Compare yours to Jeff's at below link and celebrate.......


http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...+swords&page=4

Best Regards,
Michael

[Anthony]

The weight is one thing but the SIZE is very important, measure it and compare with the know measurements to see if it all adds up

Regards

Anthony

[Tony T-S]

Yes, check the weight against the weight for the 2nd strike in the other thread. You could indeed be a very lucky man. Hopefully another win for our side.

[mloppkit]

Hi Patrick,

Yes, Anthony, Tony and Franco are correct. The only way to be 100% sure would be to weigh and measure it. As the original crosses were struck not cast, a cast copy would be slightly smaller as well as not having the same level of detail to the pebbling. A better photo of the date side also showing the wreath would also be helpful. Remember the date die flaw is at the base of the first '9' -small indentation. The other date flaw is the small 'kick' or bend forward of the leg of the second '9'. I think this is a good cross though as it seems to match both Geoff V's cross as well as Lawrence Strong's magnificent original cased version also previously posted.

As to the 'gold' color at the edges of your cross, I have to say that I don't believe that this is a 'Gold' version- only 1st strike versions have been found of these gold ones so far. I believe that the 'gold' color at the edge of your cross is the remnants of the original 'frosting' that once covered the entire cross. Over a very long time, this 'frosting' tends to react with the silver and end up a brown/ gold color- also another good sign for your cross,

Best Regards,
Michael

[Ludwig]

Looks good so far...

[Patrick W]

Thanks for the comments Guys, these appear to be really rare crosses, that thread from Jeff is the only one that seems to show these. I have measured the cross with calipers and the results are...

top of eyelet to bottom of cross= 61.5mm

width= 54.5

I have ordered a new set of digi scales so will have to wait a few days to confirm weight.

I can see on the underside of the eyelet shear marks indicating the piece has been struck.

Here are some better photos of the date and swaz areas- the flaws are there as best I can tell

[Patrick W]

the gold colour appears to be tarnish to the silver

[Patrick W]

There are a couple of flaws behind the swaz which I can see on mine and match Jeff's also. I think the die was a little more worn when my one was struck as the background area is less smooth in appearance

[mloppkit]

Nice clear close-up photos Patrick,
I think you have answered your own question regarding originality as the details on this cross are exceptional- certainly not what one gets from a cast cross and flaw details seem fine and Yes, the second strike crosses are far rarer than the first strike patterns as they were issued late in 1944 and therefore were not issued for very long at all- a quick search of this forum will show 3 or 4 more of these including Lawrences in the very rare 2nd pattern case.

[Rich G]

I would think the yellowing is probably to the original lacquer rather than to the actual silver?