L/12 marked EK2 spanges. Do they exist???

[Biro]

Reading an '..Is this spange real..' thread recently, it struck me that the highly desirable L/12 marked EK2 spange is probably the biggest unknown quantity in 'spangedom'....so it's time for some 'Rounder-style' analysis...

We know they made an exceptionally good looking Standard form EK1 version marked L/12.......and by deduction, we figure they are also the maker of the identical but as yet unmarked 1st pattern version.....pictured below, and discussed here..Juncker EK1 Spange?

[Biro]

We (OK,...I...) also 'guess' that they are the makers of the as yet unmarked 1st pattern EK2 spange pictured below, but this is based purely on a striking similarity to the 1st class (talons, date..) and a design quality you would expect from Juncker.... but not much more...

[Biro]

It also hasn't escaped me that Detlev Niemanns latest book goes as far as seperately listing L/12 marked 1st class Crosses and Spanges - undoubtedly because of there collector desirability - the same for L/12 marked 2nd class Crosses, but there is no individual mention of the presumably desirable L/12 marked EK2 Spanges...

I've drawn my own personal conclusions from this....but would encourage comments..

Below is an assortment of currently circulating 2nd class spanges...(some owned by forum members here, but all previously posted by their owners for authenticity checks at some stage.....)

The one in the middle is declared a known fake..as per Gordon Williamson's book, the ones either side are subtly different, but I think different nonetheless... all, however, exhibit one common element.......

L/12.


Help me out here...I don't see how Juncker can so badly have 'dropped the ball' in terms of design and styling with these 2nd class prospects...

So DO they exist????

Cheers

Marshall

[George Stimson]

Here's one which, based on the distance between the eagle's beak and the eagle's left wing, I would say is not the one Gordon lists as a fake. (I think it looks more like # 3, above.)

[George Stimson]

Reverse. (I'm not going to take the ribbon off, but believe me there's an "L/12" under there.)

[Brian S]

I always suspected this one to be a Juncker. It's the one attached to an EKI. So early and I assumed Juncker was one of the first to produce. I would look to eagle designs in all their spanges as evidence. So do the EKII spanges look like juncker to you?

Yes, I would say #3 has the 'look' and finish.

[George Stimson]

Here's an example that was offered by Helmut Weitze.

[George Stimson]

Reverse.

[Bob Hritz]

Obverse

[Bob Hritz]

Verso

[Biro]

Brian......Shes a Juncker alright...


George...... Again, I would expect FAR superior quality from Juncker than either of the 2 you've shown.....based purely on their form to date.

Why the sudden style and quality by-pass with the standard form 2nd class.

My suspicions are compounding here.......


HOLD-UP ...... Where did that come from Bob? NOW we're talking!!!!....

Marshall

[George Stimson]

Marshall,

On one hand I agree with you. On the other, I've learned that it can often be a mistake to "expect" things.
(I don't have a conclusion one way or the other, BTW.)

[Brian S]

Cripers Bob, she's finished like a pilot's badge!!! Yeow. Now this is interesting.

[George Stimson]

I've gotta agree. Bob's is a well-made, quality piece!

[Brian S]

I'd be curious of Tim Calvert's observations of this eagle. How he'd compare it in style to their pilot or other Luft badges. This could be just one of a few styles or a couple of styles.