Ek ii

[herkules]

Dear gentlemen,

Hi guys,

Dear collector friends,

is there a chance to determine why some EK II are in a quite damaged state

and others show a rather 'minty' condition ?

As far as I'm concerned EK IIs had been worn - after the award ceremony -

for not even a day long !

To me the difference in condition is due to bad / good storage/ preservation ...

no ?

And that seems to me torture to the cross done 'post war' !

I'm sorry to say so, but my believe in 'vet bring backs' is not very strong !

Remember my comment about a badge that ended up in a 'tool box'

in the basement !

wolf

[Tom B]

Sure, bad storage by either the bring back vet or the recipient during or after the war. Or a a kid playing with it....many reasons I'm sure Tom

[sanya13]

Hí Wolf

matter very much where it was stored in the cross
presumably the Deumer a closet under the pillows
while the Souval the trenches

[herkules]

Ek ii

hi guys,

don't get me wrong, please !

I just can't follow these 'garnishing' comments

which tend to make you believe that only a 'worn/damaged' badge

is the 'real thing'!

I do not believe that any awarded ( especially the damaged ones)

EK II (the cross itself) necessarily indicates 'been there / done that' ....

they have all been there and all done that !

What we all look at (now) is how proud the 'post war' owner - maybe

the 'liberator' - had been to appreciate/recognise the very personal value

and consequently took care of it !

Some did ... some did not !!!!

I personally associate any 'well preserved cross' with the pride of the recipient !

thank You

Wolf

[Stu W]

...

As far as I'm concerned EK IIs had been worn - after the award ceremony -

for not even a day long ! ... wolf

Hello Wolf,

You are probably correct with regards to many EKII but others were mounted on medal bars for subsequent wear and likely saw more handling than one might expect. I've owned 100+ medal bars over the years that had EKII on them and each had begin to show wear as a result of handling and coming in contact with the adjacent medals.

Regards,
Stu

[sanya13]

IMO the remaining pieces are in nice condition
and sending the soldiers home and therefore could remain in good condition
in good condition remaining pieces, maybe the soldier sending at home
as they only wore the ribbon
but it get postumus after the death of his family and put away or letterboxed
who knows many variations exist

hi guys,

don't get me wrong, please !

I just can't follow these 'garnishing' comments

which tend to make you believe that only a 'worn/damaged' badge

is the 'real thing'!

I do not believe that any awarded ( especially the damaged ones)

EK II (the cross itself) necessarily indicates 'been there / done that' ....

they have all been there and all done that !

What we all look at (now) is how proud the 'post war' owner - maybe

the 'liberator' - had been to appreciate/recognise the very personal value

and consequently took care of it !

Some did ... some did not !!!!

I personally associate any 'well preserved cross' with the pride of the recipient !

thank You

Wolf

[herkules]

Ek ii

Dear Sanya,

Dear Stu,

yes, I agree with you !

as we know of most other awards there's been always an 'A' & a 'B' piece ..

may we assume that this applies to EK II as well ?

A 'single mounted / parade mounted' EK II had certainly been handled

with care (Heimaturlaub/wedding ceremony) and should not show too much wear !

Under the line ... 'circumstances' dictated preservation !

Many 'vet ' bring backs lost in value over the time and many 'trophies' ended

up in a garage or basement ..... just like the 'sculps' after the 'Indian War' !

yours Sincerely

Wolf

[Tom B]

Ya know there are "Hundreds" of EK's around. I would never buy a beat up one...Never ! Tom

[Robert P.]

For many years EKII's were worn around the necks of California surfers ('surfer's cross') exposed to salt water, etc.

Others were 'thrown' about in drawers and boxes by non-collectors.

An awarded EKII oftentimes was carried about by in the tunic pocket of the recipient.

Now, here are the crosses I like: Other EKII's were cherished by historians and cross collectors who did their utmost to preserve the condition they found them in, whether mint or slightly worn.

The list could certainly go on...

Robert

[plaut]

Robert, your K&Q is in condition I like best

[Robert P.]

Robert, your K&Q is in condition I like best

I've had this cross for many, many years. It's arms are charcoal black with patina with just a hint of rainbow toning in the inner corners.

Robert