Screwback EK1 1914 and Spange

[Laurens Q-fin]

Hi,

Although my interest on the EK1 in general is on the low side (probably because my first was a Floch ), I just noticed a (surely fake!) one-piece EK1 with Spange on eBay, Germany.
The setup of a one-piece EK1 and 1939 clasp is quite unique and must be rare.
Are there, next to the one in the John Garcia collection, any other forum members who have the privilege to own such a piece? I would gladly like to see some examples...

Thanks,
Laurens

[Laurens Q-fin]

This is what a seller on eBay, Germany, offers...

[Laurens Q-fin]

Front

[Chris Wainwrigh]

***

[Laurens Q-fin]

Are these really that rare and uncommon?...(my judging on the very low replies so far )

Laurens

[Glenn R]

Hi Laurens, these are rare or at least genuine ones are rare. The picture you show is undoubtedly a fake. Here is a picture of mine. As it is what is referred to as a jeweller constructed piece, (which means it is constructed from 2 pieces and not manufacured as a combo), it is impossible to say if it was made pre 1945. However I feel that it is original. Certainly the parts are both original being a B.H.Mayer spange and CD800 cross.

[Glenn R]

Here is a shot of the manner in which the cross and spange are attached.

[Glenn R]

Here is the reverse of the spange, the back has been either highly polished or in my opinion plated. You can still see where the pin and hinge/clasp has been removed. Hope these are of some help to you.
Cheers, Glenn.

[Glenn R]

Front of spange.

[Jim Baker]

Glenn,

That is a sweet cross!!!

Beautiful......

[Laurens Q-fin]

Hi Glenn,

Beautiful piece you have posted !
Before adding this thread, I thought both EK1 and Spange were loosely attached onto the tunic. It was the fake piece from eBay that woke my interest and then I saw a similar setup at the WA-website (from John Garcia). Now I know better .

Thanks again,
Laurens

[Anthony Evans]

in formans guide 3rd ed. it shows a spange and iron cross being together the spange is a Junckers, i think you would have to analyze each piece regardless of how its connected

[Glenn R]

Thanks Panzerman, I'm quite fond of it. Laurens, generally the spange and imperial cross would be worn as separate pieces, one above the other. This is the most usual way in which they were worn. Some makers did produce a combination, LDO approved and these are very rare. The vast majority encountered now are fakes including one attributed to Junkers which was widely accepted as being original for some time. I believe it was on this forum that it was first "outed" as a fake. Even with my piece I could never 100% say that it was not constructed post war, however having seen many post war combos I feel quite confident in this one as the construction is unlike the fakes I've encountered and it "feels right". Purely my own assessment and I could only ever sell it with the proviso that it may be post war. Not that I'd sell it anyway!