UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Medals & Badges of the Third Reich Forum Thoughts on EK1

I got this from a fellow forum member some time back. I have floated it out for possible sale/trades, and people tend to shun it because it is non magnetic and unmarked. It is well documented that genuine period peices were produced with non magnetic centers, as well as being unmarked. Does anyone have any stats at just what percentage approx were non magnetic ?

2

I would say non magnetic cores run to the rare side. Can you make out what the core metal is? Brass or zinc alloy?

--dj--Joe

Hello, were'nt the Kriegsmarine EK1's core made of copper so they would'nt rust from the salt water at sea? Regards, Leipzig

Leipzig, the Kriegsmarine brass core connection has been dispelled as an old collectors myth. Any branch could purchase the pre regulation non magnetic EK's.

--dj--Joe

Would have to guess brass, though a metalologist I am not. I can easily rule out it being a lead alloy fake, as there is no give to it at all.

As for naval EK1's, I have heard of that also, but it appears that may be urban legend - This from another site:

Non-Magnetic Cores

There are exceptions to the core being iron as some Iron Crosses have a non-magnetic brass center. It had been put forth for many years that these Crosses were used, or at least preferred, by Kriegsmarine personnel (a reasonable assumption, one can imagine iron would not last long exposed to the salty atmosphere of the high seas). This assumption, however, has not been documented and has actually fallen out of favor in the collector's world. More accurate seems the notion that non-magnetic Iron Crosses were issued prior to the LdO flexing its muscle, as in July 1942 a notice was published in the Uniformen Markt (industry trade magazine) reading as follows;

"Recently, three firms have used brass and tombak plated iron for the center of the Iron Cross First Class. I thereby advise all firms that the regulations issued the Pr�sidialkanzlei des F�heres must be strictly adhered to. In the case of the Iron Cross it is particularly important , on history and ethical grounds, that materials other than iron for the inserts must not be used. If these incidence reoccur, I will remove the offending firms from the list of authorized manufacturers." (1)

http://tinyurl.com/2zy78z

derjager and Skynyrd, AahHaa! Another bit of untruth from a 20 year old reference book! Regards, Leipzig

Leipzig,

Could you please elaborate and tell us what is incorrect .... and what the correct version would be ?

Thanks
Dave

I think he was refering to the [apparent] collectors legend of non magnetic EK's going to Naval personel.

Hello, Dave! I have no idea as to the authenticity of the EK1 posted above, nor did I state pro or con. I only asked about the non-magnetic examples being Kriegsmarine. derjager and Skynyrd answered my query and set me straight, and for that I thank them! Regards, Leipzig

Leipzig, you are welcome.

Also for collective knowledge there are period accepted examples of zinc alloy cores and one piece EK's along with accepted brass core examples.

I do not own any but am looking.

--dj--Joe

Apparently, I mis-understood the meaning of the word "forum". Perhaps, I should have kept my mouth shut, and rest assured, will certainly do so in the future! Leipzig

I like the crosses with the brass cores myself.

Leipzig,

We insist that if you post negative comments about someone's stuff, you say WHY that you post those opinions. You posted:

"derjager and Skynyrd, AahHaa! Another bit of untruth from a 20 year old reference book! Regards, Leipzig"

Please explain your post.

Dave

Leipzig meant that a 20 year old reference book contains outdated information.

--dj--Joe