Kenny Andrew Posted November 10, 2023 Posted November 10, 2023 Very hard to tell from those photos, do you have some close ups? 2 Quote
patrick chong Posted November 22, 2023 Posted November 22, 2023 Hey Gentemen, I'm looking to strike a deal on the WW2 Iron Cross 1st class L/52 but I saw 4 different variations online, does all the hallmark L52 look different? I have uploaded 4 crosses in the form of A,B,C,D. I'm looking to get A, the description stated rare marker 20 & L52 Inside the needle. Feel free to share your opinions on the hallmarks and the genuinity of the iron cross. Thank You for the big help. 3 Quote
Fritz Posted November 22, 2023 Posted November 22, 2023 Difficult to tell from the photos. I would ask a few more opinions. The last one with the 800 mark looks a bit suspect to me. Normally Iron Crosses of 1939 were not silver, 800 is a silver hallmark, I doubt if the frame is 800 silver, but I might be wrong. 2 1 Quote
Kenny Andrew Posted November 22, 2023 Posted November 22, 2023 Hard to tell from those photos but C looks like a good double marked Zimmermann to me. A might be OK too but any I have seen have looked more like C. I agree D looks bad. 2 Quote
patrick chong Posted November 23, 2023 Posted November 23, 2023 Thanks for the reply Gentlemen, I'm looking to make my move on cross "A", here is a closer look for Cross "A". Appreciate the final feedbacks 3 Quote
Kenny Andrew Posted November 23, 2023 Posted November 23, 2023 I would wait and get one which looks more like C with the accepted 20 and the standard Zimmermann pin, I've not come across a Zimmermann with a coke style pin before, usually they have the type of pin featured on picture C. 2 1 Quote
patrick chong Posted November 24, 2023 Posted November 24, 2023 On 22/11/2023 at 21:47, Kenny Andrew said: Hard to tell from those photos but C looks like a good double marked Zimmermann to me. A might be OK too but any I have seen have looked more like C. I agree D looks bad. 8 hours ago, Kenny Andrew said: I would wait and get one which looks more like C with the accepted 20 and the standard Zimmermann pin, I've not come across a Zimmermann with a coke style pin before, usually they have the type of pin featured on picture C. Hey Kenny, Thank You & Spot on! I've done some research myself, I realised 3 things, the hallmark, the hinge and the pin is different from a Zimmermann. Will look out for more! 2 1 Quote
patrick chong Posted November 24, 2023 Posted November 24, 2023 Hey Gentlemen, while holding back, I think I found a Gem Description: "This medal comes complete with its original presentation case. Marked “26” to indicate production by the B.H. Mayer firm" 4 Quote
Kenny Andrew Posted November 24, 2023 Posted November 24, 2023 That looks like a good BH Mayer 4 Quote
Lavinia Posted March 20, 2024 Posted March 20, 2024 Hello. I hope I am posting in the right place. I have a question about a WW1 Class 2 Iron Cross, if I may. It doesn't have any markings on the larger ribbon ring, but it has a W engraved on the smaller ring. Is this something that can occur on authentic medals of this type? 4 Quote
Lavinia Posted March 22, 2024 Posted March 22, 2024 Hello Fritz. Yes, here they are. I noticed something on the other side too but I can't make it out. 5 Quote
Fritz Posted March 23, 2024 Posted March 23, 2024 Haven't seen that before, but you you post photos of front and rear of cross? 3 Quote
Lavinia Posted March 23, 2024 Posted March 23, 2024 Here they are. I did the tests recommended in this thread and it does check out. 5 Quote
Fritz Posted March 24, 2024 Posted March 24, 2024 A perfectly good example with a lot of patina 4 Quote
Lavinia Posted March 24, 2024 Posted March 24, 2024 Thank you for the assessment, Fritz! I guess it just has an usual marking. 4 Quote
Xcvu Posted March 24, 2024 Posted March 24, 2024 I have one marked with an ,,u" in the exact same spot besides mine I've never seen another EK2 marked on the smaller ring. 4 Quote
Xcvu Posted March 26, 2024 Posted March 26, 2024 I'm about to arrive home and I'll post a picture of the marking. 3 1 Quote
Xcvu Posted March 26, 2024 Posted March 26, 2024 Got it 1 year ago and it looked very interesting . It used to be mounted on a medal bar. Even if it was listed as an original I am still not convinced about it's authenticity . 4 Quote
Hastriq Posted March 27, 2024 Posted March 27, 2024 I also have an EK2 with markings on the smaller ring. It's a 1939 version, so I don't know if it would be the same story as the earlier crosses, but it seems like some makers did add additional markings to the smaller ring. I'll post some pictures below. Depending on how it catches the light, the mark on the smaller ring looks like either a fragment of an X, a kind of misshapen M, or some kind of ohm symbol, but like I said it's extremely hard to make out. I posted it to another forum because the makers mark on the main suspension didn't line up with the font of that maker, and I had concerns about its originality...it's stamped "4" which would be for Steinhauer & Lück, but the style of the 4 doesn't look like any of theirs I've seen. The consensus there was that the cross looked original, and might actually be from maker "24" who were apparently known to have mis-struck or faint 2's on some makers marked examples. They also shared some other examples from that maker with additional marks to the smaller ring as well. I would be really interested to get people's opinions on this cross here, but if we agree that this one is original, it would certainly seem like there are genuine examples out there with marks on the smaller rings. 4 Quote
Xcvu Posted March 27, 2024 Posted March 27, 2024 I'm not a big expert on ww2 ek2's but I don't think there is a big difference between these and their ww1 counterparts. Try checking if the core is magnetic it should stick and then try checking the silver frame it shouldn't be as reactive as the core and you can feel the difference. Also the swastika's edges should be sharp and not dull. On your cross you can see that the color of swastika faded in some points try to compare the color of those points to the one of the frame they shouldn't be the same as it would indicate a one piece construction. While for the markings I did some research and they could be hallmarked just as their ek1 counterparts which may differ from a manufacture to another. Also try to slide a thin piece of paper between the frame and core it should slide in between. Hope this helps you. 5 Quote
Hastriq Posted March 28, 2024 Posted March 28, 2024 Thanks Xcvu! Yes, I tested the core and everything and it seems to pass the tests. The core is magnetic, the frame is not, and it does seem to be a multi-piece construction. Not sure how to judge the sharpness of the swastika since it's got some wear to it, and the colour between the chipped swastika and the frame look similar given the tarnishing, but it's difficult to tell. It's tough, I've done lots of research online about these crosses over the years, but I haven't had the chance to handle many that I know are real, so I'm definitely still finding my feet in terms of recognizing all the details and knowing what to look for. It's great to get the input from those who have much more experience with these things. 5 Quote
Hastriq Posted April 2, 2024 Posted April 2, 2024 So what do you think, Fritz? I've followed this thread for a while, and am certainly interested to get your take on the cross above. Does it tick the right boxes for an original? 4 Quote
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