EK2 Spange

[Tom Yanacek]

Hi guys,

Here is an EK2 Spange that I just got today. This looks really well-made and the frosted finish is still intact with burnished highlights. This Spange is unmarked, but I believe it was made by Otto Schickle.

Unfortunately, one of the attachment prongs is missing from the reverse. From the look of the reverse, I have a feeling that this piece was attached to a ribbon for a long time.

Best regards,
Tom

[CMSgt]

Spange

Sorry but it looks like a cast copy. Is there a rim around the edges? It looks that way especially across the date bar. Plus the aging on the back looks like it is applied. Jim

[Flemming]

Sorry but it looks like a cast copy. Is there a rim around the edges? It looks that way especially across the date bar. Plus the aging on the back looks like it is applied. Jim

I have to agree, it does look cast.
Just look at the back of the spange.

/Flemming

[beufighter]

i would agree just look at all the cast/pit marks on the reverse

[reichenberg]

Agreed, it's a poorly cast fake.

[streptile]

All authentic Spangen have (or had before filing) a ridge around the rim where the raised detail begins and the planchet ends. So the presence of a line there shouldn't bother you, unless you can be sure it's a casting seam.

From the photos it's hard say if it's authentic -- looks like it could be ok to me. I suppose more photos would help -- or maybe it's one to judge in-hand. But anyway, you're right about the design, it's a Schickle.

[Tom Yanacek]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all of the opinions so far. Even though they were not what I was hoping to hear, I do appreciate any and all opinions.

I am not convinced that this is a casting, though. I have this item in-hand and apparently I am not seeing what you guys are. This thing is well-made. If I am wrong and it turns out to be a cast fake, then I can certainly accept that. (It's not like I haven't been wrong before.) But if this is a fake it is a newer high-tech fake and not a "poorly cast fake".

Two small gouges near the center reverse do not make this a poorly-cast fake. If it were there would be air bubble holes all over the reverse. The aging on the reverse does not look artificial to me in the least. You can actually see an imprint which I believe was caused by a chemical reaction between the ribbon and the metal. The reverse also displays circular marks from a surface grinder for deburring, exactly like what we see on tombak-based wound badges by Hauptmünzamt Wien.

I figured I would post some dimensions of the Spange in question so maybe that will help to determine for sure whether or not this is fake. If this were a poorly cast fake as you say, I would expect this to spec out smaller than an original in every dimension.

It would really be a help to me if someone could post some good pictures of a definite original, both front and reverse as well as some pictures of the edges showing the shear marks, etc.

I would be more than happy to post more pictures of this Spange so just let me know. Maybe my pictures are not good enough because in-hand this piece still screams real to me.

Thank you and best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

All authentic Spangen have (or had before filing) a ridge around the rim where the raised detail begins and the planchet ends. So the presence of a line there shouldn't bother you, unless you can be sure it's a casting seam.

Hello Streptile,

Thanks for posting that comment and I agree with you one hundred percent. I am glad to know that somebody else realizes that fact. Spangen should have a horizontal ridge line (at least in places) around the edges. That line indicates the union of a obverse and reverse die or where the trim die first started cutting. There should also be vertical shear mark striations on the edges. I suggest looking closely at your original Spangen. If you think seeing a horizontal ridge on the edges of a Spangen implies fake then you might as well throw all of your original Spangen in the scrap heap.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

Here is another picture of the front and reverse. I don't know if they are any better or not.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

Here are some oblique views. It's still looking unquestionably real to me.

[Tom Yanacek]

a few more:

[Tom Yanacek]

and a couple more:

[Tom Yanacek]

You should expect to see a horizontal ridge on original Spangen. If you don't, then I would start to worry.

[Tony T-S]

Excellent extra shots.

[streptile]

It's still looking unquestionably real to me.

Fully agree.