In writing the article for this site (which is taking for ever, BTW, mostly due to lack of time) Gordon provided me with a copy of the July 1942 announcement in which the sale of non-iron (Tombak-Brass) EKs is condemned and prohibited under thread of removal from the authorized manufacturer list. So obviously it did happen, to what degree I don’t know (enough to make the announcement thought). What the characteristics should be, I don’t know (not for zinc, never seen one in person), but we are apparently starting to establish here!
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Here is the back of that second EK1Comment
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I wouldn't have the slightest problem with a zinc cored EK and the one posted by Frank is a particularly nice specimen. I have had zinc cored EK1s and EK2s and a one piece zinc EK2 on court mount. A friend has a real nice Deschler zinc cored RK.
These should be early, certainly prior to the notice warning of the consequences of using materials other than iron. However once painted and assembled no one would know until the core got chipped or worn so I am sure there would still be a few around later in the war. I can't imagine someone going through huge official stocks with a magnet to check them all out, but the fact that most non-iron centred pieces are unmarked certainly ties in with being early.
GordfonComment
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Thanks Gordon & all for that confirmation, it seems I made a very good deal with this one trusting my gut instinct because the vendor didn´t think it was original (because the core was non magnetic and not brass)!
P.S.: Brian, same goes for your EK1 then which is a twin brother of mine.
Cheers, Frank H.Cheers, Frank
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I thank everyone as well. I'm glad now that I took the risk on this EK. I feel a lot better based on the feedback from the group. This cross is now prominently displayed with my others. Thanks again, guys.
BrianComment
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