Spain Cross Unknown Maker Identification Analysis

[Ludwig]

After reading this thread the "UM" is no doubt a W&L!

[streptile]

I totally agree that this type is likely to be a W&L.

Why not? It's marked with a good L55 mark and (unless the entire thing is fake), that is how we usually assign makers.

Nice work Brian.

[Brian S]

Thank you T. and George and Ludwig and Scott.

I am loathe to say, "the experts have spoken."

But, you all really are all amazing cross experts and badge scientists. Your concurrence is the end game for me.

The chapter in my e-Book, "The Unknown Maker" will be amended in the next edition to W&L. This was fun, maybe not as Earth shattering at Frank H.'s FLL evidence to the flight badges, but it is to me. I love these crosses...

[Tim O.]

Good work Brian and team. Thanks for referencing the thread and very nice to identify the maker of my example.

Best wishes
Tim O.

[Scott C.]

Agreed, well done on the forensics of this cross Brian.

[Brian S]

Now, please, buy my free eBook on the Spain Cross.

2nd Printing soon, same price even if you bought the first edition.

http://luftwaffe-awards.com/discuss.aspx

[fabri-online]

Hello Brian
I have handled your new cross with Andrea and studied the maker stamp on pin, I have had not doubt about originality because it is very characteristic, there is a matching with the known stamps on EKIs. 100% W&L Spanish Cross !

[Andrea90]

That was the original thread:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...=797003&page=2

[Sal Williams]

With all the links and whatnot, I am confused. How many marked L 55 have been found?

[Andrea90]

Mine cross was the same in the thread called "another dangerous SC cropy". Then I sold it to Brian. And I think it was discussed other times here.

[Brian S]

I have seen the L55 "mentioned" and pictures from other sources shown here. This is the first one I know of shown on this site with now clear concise photos that tie this unquestionably to the Unknown Maker which I believe was made by Wächtler & Lang.

There are numerous Wächtler & Lang EK'2 and EK's unmarked. Rarity of the L55 marked Wächtler & Lang EK's would be of interest.

Wächtler & Lang is known as a quality "cross" maker. This is a cross and is of a superior quality.

The FLL flight badges were identified to FLL by hardware alone. I am not aware of FLL marked flight badges but have no doubt they are FLL.

The only other potential proof is this 900 mark from my silver "unknown maker", no mm. Can it be tied to any known Wächtler & Lang produced products?

[fabri-online]

Hi Brian
EKIIs marked L55 are rare ones, just a very few collectors has one in their collection.

[Brian S]

Hi Brian
EKIIs marked L55 are rare ones, just a very few collectors has one in their collection.

OK, thanks, that helps establish a trend on their EKII's in the time period the Spain Cross would have been produced by W&L.

What about EKI's?

[Dietrich Maerz]

Aren't all LDO marked EK2 relatively rare? I mean where was the need to buy another medal if one could not really wear even the awarded one while still fighting? And most were still fighting!

The story is different with EK1 and I would not consider an L 55 rare.

[Brian S]

Thanks Dietrich, it's just a question... Curious about trends.