Repro SS 4-year

[SScollector]

Following the accidental estand thread concerning a die-struck reproduction SS 4-year service medal, I now have more info on the medal.
I purchased the medal as a reproduction and while it is not made from the original dies, it was struck from some very well made dies. These have been discussed before and other than the over-coarse stippling, it is very convincing, even in hand. This one has a better paint job and aging than some.

Here are some specs:

Diameter: 38.1 mm
Thickness: 2.79 mm
Weight: 23.3 grams

Best,

Chris

[SScollector]

reverse

[J C Gray]

I had noticed this on the estand, but obviously couldn't respond and my initial thought was that it was one of these coarsely stippled fakes. I call this type the 'Hybrid' 4 year fake, as it exhibits certain characteristics of two of the most common 4 year originals. There is also an 8 year example with a similar style of coarse stippling going around at the moment which is being heralded as a 'much rarer'...'P&L' or 'Schickle' variation with a circular suspension ring.
These fakes mostly seem to be coming out of 'old collections' and there are even a few on the net that have been allegedly 'ground dug' on the sites of famous last stand battles, so they have obviously been around for quite some time.
Thanks for posting the very clear pics Chris and as for the price...I have seen worse fakes going on the bazaar for a similar price.

[SScollector]

Thanks! Do you have any pictures of the 8-year version?

Best,

Chris

[J C Gray]

This 8 year was posted recently http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=479750
I call this one the 'Crown of Thorns' fake, because of the thorny looking, acanthus type protrusions on the wreath.

[tystgaard]

.

A beautyful medal that can cheat collectors

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...hlight=service

Nicolai

[Woolgar]

It would have fooled me !

Nick