Fritz Posted May 11, 2021 Posted May 11, 2021 The Iron Cross is ok, apparently real silver (and iron). The maker KO has been described already on several posts on this theme, see there. The ribbon appears to be excellently woven, could be older, hard to tell from a photo, however, it should be black and white, unless this has aged and turned a golden brown colour or has been dyed(!) by someone. I would keep the ribbon, but try to get a correct replacement. Get the ribbon checked by someone who knows. 4 Quote
CocoRentini Posted May 11, 2021 Posted May 11, 2021 Thank you Fritz! My first thought on the ribbon was smoke damage or aging but the gold/yellow colouring is very consistent, even on the folded parts of the ribbon that would not have been exposed. I have no idea why someone would dye it, but I haven't been able to find anything else that matches what I have. 4 Quote
Gildwiller1918 Posted May 11, 2021 Posted May 11, 2021 Sometimes tea is used to stain or dye lighter fabrics to simulate age. Its possible with your ribbon as the staining looks uniform. As Fritz said, I would look for a replacement ribbon. 4 Quote
Jordan Eliades Posted May 22, 2021 Posted May 22, 2021 If a iron cross has a saftey pinon the back of it is it real???? 3 Quote
Kenny Andrew Posted May 23, 2021 Posted May 23, 2021 Please post a picture of the cross Jordan 3 Quote
Sumserbrown Posted June 4, 2021 Posted June 4, 2021 Hi everyone, I have just joined the forum as I found this interesting thread while browsing on-line. German medals are not a core part of my medal collection and I have not handled many, so I am a real amateur here, thus I wanted to get the opinion of some experts. This is an Iron Cross 2nd class that I was given as a present getting on for 40 years ago and I had always assumed it was a copy, but I would welcome your opinion, just so that I know either way. I can send close-ups of any parts of the medal or ribbon if you need them. thanks in advance, Rob 4 Quote
Fritz Posted June 4, 2021 Posted June 4, 2021 Looks like the cross and ribbon are copies. Have you tried the magnet test? The core should be iron. The ring also seems to be open. Iron Cross rings should be closed/welded. 3 Quote
Sumserbrown Posted June 5, 2021 Posted June 5, 2021 8 hours ago, Fritz said: Looks like the cross and ribbon are copies. Have you tried the magnet test? The core should be iron. The ring also seems to be open. Iron Cross rings should be closed/welded. Thanks Fritz, I will dig it out and try the magnet test but I am not at all surprised (and not disappointed) that you think it's a copy. I had always suspected as much as it never felt quite right, even with my lack of knowledge of German medals best wishes Rob 4 Quote
MTCicero Posted July 23, 2021 Posted July 23, 2021 I've found an Iron Cross (WWI edition) in some of my great-grandfather's things. Every legitimacy test seems to check out, except for the maker's imprint on the ring: Instead of "KO", it's an "A". Is this simply a case of a different manufacturer? 3 Quote
Fritz Posted July 24, 2021 Posted July 24, 2021 Not all Iron Crosses were marked KO, here is a list of known makers, which I have copied from another source: Folgende Buchstabenkürzel können bestimmten Herstellern der 2.Klasse zugeordnet werden:– CD – Carl Dillenius, auch mit Silberstempel- / – Fr, FR, Fr im Rahmen – Gebrüder Friedländer, Berlin/– G – J. Godet & Sohn, Berlin oder Glaser & Sohn, Dresden/ – K.M.S.T., K.M.St., KMST, K.M., KM, auch mit Silberstempel – Königliche Münze Stuttgart/ – KO – Klein & Quenzer, Oberstein auch mit Silberstempel/– S-W, S&W – Sy & Wagner, Berlin auch mit Silberstempel/– we, We – J.H. Werner/– WS, W.S., W&S, WuS, JW, J.W., J.W.S. – alle Joh.Wagner & Sohn, Berlin/– D – Wilhelm Deumer, Lüdenscheid (möglich auch Deschler, München) /– K, K im Rahmen- W. Kluge & Co./ – N – C.E. Neuhaus & Söhne, Berlin/– R – E.Rosenthal & Sohn/ – S – Heinrich Schneider, Leipzig, auch Schaper oder Scharfenberg möglich/– WILM – H.J. Wilm, Berlin auch mit Silberstempel/– Z –H. Zehn, Berlin/– E:W, E.W – Emil Wiechmann/– LW – Luis Werner/– R.Sch. – Richard Schulze, Friedrichshagen/– LV (mit und ohne Zahl)-Lieferungsverband für Eiserne Kreuze/– H – F. Hoffstätter, Bonn/– M – B.H. Mayer, Pforzheim/– MM – Meyle & Mayer, Pforzheim /Hersteller im 3.Reich kennzeichneten mit der LDO-Nummer z.B. L/10,…,L/52 u.ä.Folgende Buchstabenkürzel können keinem bestimmten Hersteller zugewiesen werden, sind aber belegt:– A –(wird auch dem Hersteller F.A. Assmann zugeordnet aber nicht belegt) keine 1.Klasse/ – B – (möglicherweise Hersteller Bury & Leonhard, Hanau)/– HB –keine 1.Klasse/– H.B.G.- keine 2.Klasse, möglich dass HB und H.B.G. ein Hersteller ist/– HTB – keine 2.Klasse (langer Querstrich des T)/– K.A.G. – 1.und 2.Klasse/– KP –keine 1.Klasse/– +(M)+auch mit Silberstempel,keine 1.Klasse/– MEH –auch mit Silberstempel,keine 1.Klasse/– V –keine 1. Klasse/– Wappen mit 3 Kreisen –Silberstempel, keine 2.Klasse/– Y –Silberstempel/– Quadrat –keine 2.Klasse (könnte auch eine Abnahmepunze sein) 3 Quote
MTCicero Posted July 24, 2021 Posted July 24, 2021 2 hours ago, Fritz said: Not all Iron Crosses were marked KO, here is a list of known makers, which I have copied from another source: That's extremely useful, thank you! I'm sure it'll help other people beyond me as well to identify theirs' manufacturer. The one I have is unmistakably 2nd-class, so I've probably misread either the "H" or "R" mark as an "A". 4 Quote
Fritz Posted July 24, 2021 Posted July 24, 2021 The 2nd class was worn on a ribbon, so it should have a ring and have reverse details, the 1st class is a pinback decoration and the reverse is plain silver with a large pin. See previous posts on this topic. 4 Quote
MXR9823 Posted July 27, 2021 Posted July 27, 2021 Hi guys, I recently buy this from a Chinese seller. But I don't know its fake or real. Can someone help me to take a look? I'll be appreciate. 4 Quote
Kenny Andrew Posted July 27, 2021 Posted July 27, 2021 Always hard to tell from a photo but it certainly looks OK including the ribbon, if it is a copy it is a very good one, are there no stamps on the ring? 4 Quote
Gildwiller1918 Posted July 28, 2021 Posted July 28, 2021 As Kenny said, it is hard to tell from a photo. It does look really good though. I know that sometimes vendors in that region buy an original to make templates from, so its not implausible that a real one would come from that region. Check for stamps on the ring that the ribbon connects with. 5 Quote
MXR9823 Posted July 28, 2021 Posted July 28, 2021 Ummmm......i checked the ring and i found nothing on it. 4 Quote
Cainp88 Posted July 28, 2021 Posted July 28, 2021 Hi guy, I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on this 1914 iron cross I bought online, I purchased a tin with various items which resembles something returned from a returned soldier. https://photos.app.goo.gl/hdvDF11xTo7REAui7 I have done the magnet test, can confirm the inner piece is seperate. My only worry is there is no marking on the loop, besides a small dot which could be wear? If anyone is able to shed some light it would be much appreciated Cain 4 Quote
berg Posted September 13, 2021 Posted September 13, 2021 I recently picked up my first batch of medals from a local auction. A 1914 2nd class iron cross was among them. I have a feeling it's a reproduction, but don't really have any way to check as I'm incredibly new to this. First it's magnetic; am I supposed to check if certain parts of it are magnetic or not? Secondly, I can see the edges of the ribbon seem to have that horizontal threading (forget what's it's called) which I hear is a good sign Finally, the outer edge seems to be painted which I'm not seeing on a lot of online pictures of legit medals. Pics attached, any help is much appreciated. 3 Quote
Gildwiller1918 Posted September 14, 2021 Posted September 14, 2021 I can make out a stamp on the ring, any chance we can get a better look? 4 Quote
berg Posted September 14, 2021 Posted September 14, 2021 Looked like an M, W, or possibly a 3? 4 Quote
Kenny Andrew Posted September 14, 2021 Posted September 14, 2021 Welcome to the forum Berg, the cross is original, but just heading out now so can't check the maker, Fritz should be able to identify it for you, he is very good with WW1 German items. 4 Quote
Fritz Posted September 14, 2021 Posted September 14, 2021 It's an original. The paint on the edge is nothing other than silver tarnish/patina, the core is made of iron. I would not clean it or do anything, the ribbon is also original. The W on the ring could be Wilm or Wagner, both well known makers. 4 Quote
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