Cased Ehrenzeichen fur Deutsche Volkspflege 1 Stufe

[Antonio Scapini]

I have one I had from a good source that it seems to me the same.
This evening I'll look at it and post some pictures for comparison.

[Antonio Scapini]

Here we go guys!

Some time ago I asked to Stan and other well knowledgeable members an opinion about it, without saying them I had it from a very good source. They told me it looked like a good original.

[Antonio Scapini]

Last one.

[Stan]

And I still like it Antonio. Beautiful example IMO.

Stan

[Tom Yanacek]

Here we go guys!

Some time ago I asked to Stan and other well knowledgeable members an opinion about it, without saying them I had it from a very good source. They told me it looked like a good original.

Hi Antonio,

Thanks for posting pictures of your wonderful example. Now that is a Godet if I ever saw one.

I remember that you asked my opinion of one a few months ago. I can't remember if this was the exact one you asked about, but I did like the one you sent me pictures of and I like this one too so it must be the same one.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

Please look at the comparison below:

The decoration on the left is the one in question while Antonio's fine, original is on the right. Of most importance are the areas circled in red. Notice the differences between the two: the one on the left actually has cutout areas to the outboard of each of the eagle's talons while Antonio's original does not have these cutouts. Antonio's actually has black, vitreous enamel in those areas.

If you compare the wreaths, the one on the left is kind of crude-looking, especially along the bottom. Antonio's wreath is much more finely-executed. Sorry that the picture of Antonio's example is not clearer, but I lost some resolution when I tried to enlarge the image for comparison purposes.

Just look at the difference in coloration between the two: The one on the left has a pale gold finish that has an antiqued look while Antonio's example has rich gold coloration. These things were made of tombak-bronze and then fire-gilted. I can tell that Antonio's example is bronze-based, but I doubt that the one on the left is. The finish is inferior too on the one on the left.

Also note that the top of the eagles's head has more of a dip to it on the one on the left while Antonio's is more straight. Some reproductions have an even more pronounced dip and also beware of any that have an eye depicted on the eagle.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

Oakleaf suspension comparison:

The suspension device on the left appears to be a fairly well-made copy and is an improvement over what is usually found on postwar Souval-made copies. However, it differs a bit in the veining on the oakleaves. The biggest problem I see here is the coloration: the one on the left is pale, antiqued, and most likely not bronze. Antonio's (shown at right) has a rich, fire-gilt finish with burnished highlights.

I'm not really liking the ribbon on the example at left either. Maybe Peter will see this discussion and offer his opinion about the ribbon. IMO, though, Antonio's ribbon is one-hundred percent original. The white shows natural age and subtle yellowing.

[Tom Yanacek]

Another issue I have is that the cross in question has too flat an appearance. Originals will be slightly convex on both the obverse and reverse surfaces. The one on the left looks too flat but Antonio's example (right) has a slightly-spherical look.

[Thomas Durante]

Great analysis Tom.

Gorgeous Cross Antonio.

Tom

[ironfist]

diffrent looking one

Hi Guys here is another slightly diffrent one.
As you can see dosent have the dip on head as eagle on left .
The feathers at bottom of leg do stop higher above the wreath than the right one.
The wreath seems to be better in quality .There is enamel in the gaps to the tallons BUT if you look to top of the wings you can see small cut outs.????
Ribbon in hand dosent look as bright as it does in pic.but it does have that look the same as the ribbons of the eagle orders with the raylon to it .
The oak leaves match the godet one and the colour is spot on.
Is this a varient of Godet.There are no markings at all.
The Enamel is floorless

[ironfist]

more pics

a few more

[ironfist]

few more

and more

[VonPeter]

Oakleaf suspension comparison:

I'm not really liking the ribbon on the example at left either. Maybe Peter will see this discussion and offer his opinion about the ribbon.

Hi Tom.
I have been following this thread since day one. I dont know anything about the award and are really not intrested in it but the ribbon was intresting and I have therefore been supscribing to the thread. I didn´t want to say anything to soon to avoid my opinion on the ribbon spilling over on the cross, I wanted you guys to discuss the cross first. But since you called me out I guess it´s time.

I dont like the ribbon. It certenly isn´t the normal textbook ribbon like Antonios but there is always the chance its a crappy made variant from a small supplier so I dont want to condemn it totaly but I would never buy that kind of ribbon as a original. I have hade alot of these big and loosely weaved ribbons and I never considered any of them to be original. A in hand inspection of the ribbon is needed of course but based on pics only I say no.

I would like to know the threadcount per 3 cm, I assume its very low...

/peter

[Tom Yanacek]

Hello ironfist,

IMO the one you posted is not a Godet and appears to be another good-quality copy, very similar to the one that started this thread. The fact that black enamel has been drawn into the veining of the wreath by capillary action is an indication of the lack of overall quality so characteristic of the postwar copies.

I could be wrong, of course. I really don't consider myself an expert in these (or anything else for that matter). But as far as I know, Godet was the sole manufacturer of the First Class Social Welfare Decorations and Otto Klein of Hanau was the sole manufacturer of the Sonderstufe. There were a couple of firms that made the Second and Third Class Social Welfare Decorations and quite a few more that made the Social Welfare Medals. But for me, First Class Social Welfare Decorations must be a Godet. I've yet to see anything to the contrary although I am always open to learning more. I actually posted the piece that started this thread up for discussion in the Police and Civil Organization Forum in hope that those with more knowledge on these would respond. Unfortunately, these pieces are pretty rare and, I think, expertise on them is rather limited.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

But since you called me out I guess it´s time.

Hi Peter,

Sorry to put you on the spot, my friend. I do appreciate and value your opinion, though, so thank you very much. Your opinion seems to substantiate my gut feeling about the ribbon in question. And even though neither one of us is completely certain, I'm glad that someone else shares my suspicions.

Best regards,
Tom