Numbered West Wall Medals

[kenneth wolfe]

Hi

Hi Sergey,

I'm with you on this one.


Kenneth

[Tom Yanacek]

Guys I think it is nearly impossible to identify does the ring original to the medal or not, the ring could be replaced from zink kvk cross....

I am also in agreement with this statement. And because of the ease in which a split suspension ring can be replaced, I would never pay any more for it than the value of an unmarked Westwall Medal.

Best regards,
Tom

[Hank C.]

Guys I think it is nearly impossible to identify does the ring original to the medal or not, the ring could be replaced from zink kvk cross....

The question is: Would it be worth the time and effort to do this? Why not just sell the mm'ed KVK. If it's in nice shape, you're going to get 25 euro or so, and more if it's packeted/ribboned.

Also, having never tried to do that, wouldn't the ring show some signs of distortion? You'd either have to bend it to get it out of the KVK, or into the Westwall. I'm sure it's possible, but how bad would it mess up the ring?

Just some thoughts,
best
Hank

[kenneth wolfe]

Hi

You could do it with out messing the ring up. Why would someone do that? Well that's the million dollar question when it comes to collecting anything in our field. I could see this happening. Say you needed some cash but you really don't have anything to sell except a KVK that's been totally eaten by zinc pest (10 bucks) and a Westwall medal but it doesn't have a ring (maybe 20 bucks). Fortunately the ring on the zinc KVK is made of tombac and withstood the years. You go from maybe and I emphasize maybe a 30 dollar sale, if you can find someone willing to buy it, to a 50 euro sale and people wanting to buy it. It adds up for me.


Kenneth

[Scott C.]

It instantly makes a common medal into a "rare" one

[Tom Yanacek]

Also, having never tried to do that, wouldn't the ring show some signs of distortion? You'd either have to bend it to get it out of the KVK, or into the Westwall. I'm sure it's possible, but how bad would it mess up the ring?

It is simple to do and can be done in less than a minute. To experiment, I took this zinc Westwall Medal, which if it broke would be no great loss. Notice that the split on this suspension ring is angled to the left. (After I remove the ring, I will flip the ring around so that the split will be angled to the right. This should prove that the last picture I post is not another picture of the medal before the ring was removed.)

Step 1: The experimental medal.

[Tom Yanacek]

Step 2: By bending the ring laterally, the suspension ring will never go out of round. These rings were not hardened, so it can be done without the use of tools.

[Tom Yanacek]

Step 3: The suspension ring is completely removed in seconds.

[Tom Yanacek]

Step 4: The suspension ring is re-fed through the eyelet.

[Tom Yanacek]

Step 5: The suspension ring is bent back in place. Again, without the need for using tools. No tools = no tool marks on the ring. No distortion to the ring either because the ring never went out of round.

[Tom Yanacek]

In addition, I would like to say that this experiment was done only to show the ease in which a split suspension ring can be replaced. The Wächtler marked Westwall Medal that started this discussion could be entirely genuine for all I know. I am certainly not trying to say it's not. But I think it's important to realize that sometimes things can get messed with for whatever the reason. A Westwall Medal is a common medal and a maker mark on one should not cloud our common sense.

Best regards,
Tom

[kenneth wolfe]

Hi

Hi tyanacek,

Well brother you are invited to join my club. The common sense club! It's so refreshing to finally see someone actually using their god given brain for once.


Kenneth

[Mike Kenny]

This has been an interesting discussion so far. I really hope either the original or new owner will put up some pics of the medal in question!

Regards
Mike

[Tom Yanacek]

Hi tyanacek,

Well brother you are invited to join my club. The common sense club! It's so refreshing to finally see someone actually using their god given brain for once.


Kenneth

Hello Kenneth,

Well thanks for saying so. I do try to use my brain whenever possible. It works better on some days than on others.

Best regards,
Tom

[Dennis P]

Chet:

I have not seen one of these ring marked, and it would appear neither have the other members.

On a humorous note, be grateful....... this could have gone the way of your Ost Medal fetish had this been a common practice!

Dennis