UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Medals & Badges of the Third Reich Forum German cross in silver real or fake?

Hi *,

This has been offered to me as an original (mint condition)
As I'm no expert on medals, my question should I buy or 'stay away'?

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

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Pic 8 (Final)

I'm no 'expert' either but this one looks pretty good to me. Certainly better than some of the 'good looking' phoneys out there. Good luck.

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the feedback!

Caution is always the message, as these babies don't come cheap...

Other members out there with some doubts about this item?

Cheers,
Werner

21 is Godet. It's not the typical hinge and catch set up for Godet pieces. Let's do a search for Godet German Cross.

Results.
http://daggers.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/800097573/m/5310030293
The example in this link matches your examples catch and hinge set up.

The example in this link got the thumbs down.
http://daggers.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/800097573/...150092192#2150092192

--dj--Joe

Unfortunately, this is not a real cross. It is one of the so-called "Latvian" fakes (although who really knows where they are made).

This one is not even close to an original.

Guys, please help everyone out by telling us why this is bad. Give us some details so the next guy can spot the fakes.

Dave

The rivets are incorrect, as are the hinge, catch and pin (not finely formed as on originals). The date is incorrect and is far too deep and regular in appearance. The "21" mark is made using the wrong style numerals. The swastika is too flat and the red band is too vivid and too wide. The overall metal "color" is too "gray" (hard, really, to describe). The leaves around the wreath are the wrong shape. I'm not sure if this covers it all, but it's pretty close.I'd bet the weight is off, too.

P.S. The background plate behind the swastika is also not correctly "frosted".

Thanks. Good tips to remember.

Dave

definitely bad,,,citing peplands observations,,,he pretty much covered it,,

Thanks for the info guys, I really appreciate it!

I guess somebody got burned! When I contacted the seller he told me the cross was already sold...
I hate to see this happen as it means that more 'fakes' will hit the market (the more being sold, the bigger
the profit, so production will increase)
I have no problems with 'cheap' replicas being sold as a copy (ie reenactment, ...), but passing fakes as originals
(and the stories behind it you sometimes get to hear), sorry...

It's a good thing GDC is around where you can count on other members experience and learn something!

Thanks again,
Werner

Pepland and Erich, thanks for giving the heads up warning. I do not study German Crosses in depth. Stopped short with a cloth example.

Pepland, thanks for the indepth reply. Good points on features to watch for.

Werner, glad the heads up came in time and I am also happy that we have informed people here that will warn against reproductions and share information. Thanks all.

--dj--Joe

I posted a link here,
http://daggers.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/800097573/m/8450022484
for the benefit of others.

--dj--Joe

Good thread and also I'm glad the headsup made it in time! Pepland, Erich, Thanks for the info, I to have not studied the german cross enough to give a good yea or nea, thanks for the assist!

Fritziii

Hello all,

Just to confirm this one has Latvia written all over it!

William Kramer

mine ,posted a few months ago,in gold..? crummy pic, I know. The back starburst section of the cross is pretty ragged around the edges and back around the four rivets? I'll try to spend some time and get better pics. While I have your attention, a question about this particular cross. The pin on the back of this medal is horizontal to the date???Can this be correct? Thanks afore your insight. the DKIS, is immaculate, perfect, (aside from the incorrectness of it)
.. {first tip off to me}

Do not recall ever seeing an example with a horizontal pin. Will wait for close ups.

--dj--Joe