Eastern front medal - opinions needed!

[von Hacht]

Hi!

I need and opinions about this medal, I think it is ok but I am not sure about this ribbon, it looks to new somehow?! Is it possible to know if this is fake or not??

Thanks
Hacht

[von Hacht]

1.

[Hank C.]

Three basic ways: (1)You can do a UV light test on it, (2) you could snip off a small piece and burn it, or (3) you can compare it to another that is known original (if you have other collectors near you).

I'm not too keen on the zig-zag way the ends are trimmed. I think most original ribbons were straight cut.... This picture is a little too small to really determine just by looking at it.

[von Hacht]

Thanks Hankmeister, I would do those tests if I had medal with me, I am about to buy this one and I want to be sure. Almost all siver finish on the medal is gone but ribbon looks as new?! That is what bothers me. I don´t like zig-zag end either, the other ones on the e-stand were straight cut.

Hacht

[Tom Yanacek]

Hello Hacht,

The medal looks fine to me, and the ribbon might be ok as well. It is just hard to be sure about the ribbon from just a picture. In most cases you can't be sure until you are holding it. I'm not too concerned about the ribbon looking too new when compared with the medal. That medal is zinc and it is very prone to losing the silver wash, and taking on a dullish, aged appearance. The ribbon, if kept in a dry place, and out of sunlight or other harmful rays, can look as nice today as the day it was made. So I would not say that ribbon is necessarily a fake, just because it looks too nice. There is also no problem with the ribbon ends being cut in zig-zag fashion. In my opinion, original ribbons were sometimes cut in this manner. Pinking shears are not a modern invention.
Best regards! Tom