UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Imperial German Uniforms, Orders, and Decorations EK 2

Hi to all,


It's my Imperial EK 2 marked "K" on the ring:

Another EK 2, a unmarked one with heavy patina.

Ricardo, a good looking EKII.

--dj--Joe

Link to my example.
http://phpstack-500133-1583587.cloudwaysapps.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=137310#Post137310

Hi Ricardo!

NICE cross! That reminds me, I have 2 of these as well? Yay! New pics to make! Thanks for sharing this 1 Ricardo!

K, in the ring, as in Kachert from Vienna?

Sincerely,
Karin-Renate

Hi Karin,

Please share your crosses with us. I don't know what means this "K" on the ring but I suppose it was a german maker marking.

Sincerely,

Ricardo

Hey Ricardo!

YES! I sure will! Gotta get new pics though. Please bear with me ...

And, the K? Is for A.E. Kachert in Vienna, so Austrian maker, almost German, or a later-on-annexed German. He was also L/25 for WWII medals. So, my questionmark should NOT be taken too serious ...

Sincerely,
Karin-Renate

Hi all,

I suspect this cross of setting fire to me being here still. Looking into what this is, was SO much unexpected fun! I was helped much by gregM, Chip M + streptile over at another site. Anyway, since you guys brought up EKIIs, I cant but post this 1 here. I'll more or less quote myself, from WAY back, combined with a bit new.

Its a group of an EKII, a document + a ribbon. When I found this I thought the document was a page from a kiddycolourbook. You know? Get the crayons, I'll take pink! BUT, the name on the document is Heinrich xxz Prinz Preuß. Or, Major-General Prinz Heinrich XXX von Reuß. Not to be mistaken by nor related to the Kaiser or Prussian royalty.

The Major-General was the commander of the 19.Landwehr division. I was told it was not uncommon for the divisional commander to personally sign these documents.
Because he was a Prinz and not the ruler, he is not mentioned in the royal lineage. All sons of this house were numbered, regardless if they were the ruler or not.

Now then, diving in, I started to have fun! Prince Heinrich XXX Reuss of Köstritz (1864-1939), child of Heinrich IX who lived from 1827 untill 1898. There is more detailed information here.

Wikipedia also tells the following;
Die Söhne von Heinrich Posthumus sind nummeriert von I. bis X., seine Enkelsöhne durch alle drei Linien in der Reihenfolge ihrer Geburt, ebenso in den weiteren Generationen bis zu Heinrich XXIX. zu Ebersdorf (*1699). Die nächste Generation (mit Ausnahme von Heinrich XXX. zu Gera) beginnt eine neue Serie mit Heinrich I. zu Schleiz (*1695) bis zu Heinrich XXV. zu Köstritz (*1800). Die neuen Serien beginnen jeweils mit Beginn eines neuen Jahrhunderts; die dritte im 19. Jahrhundert mit Prinz Heinrich I.Reuss Köstritz (*1803), die vierte mit Prinz Heinrich I. Reuß Köstritz (*1910).

The Prinz Heinrich XXX von Reuß was married to Feodore, the Princess who’s details can be found here.

She was adorably beautiful. I found an image of her here.

Just look at her, truly amazing, isn't she? And her clothes ... I was born in the wrong era ...



By the way, there also is an image of the Prince;



They make SUCH a very lovely couple!

OK, moving on, over at a library I found a book. The book shown below. It tells us more!



Guess what! Page 87 shows the document that was packed with the EK2 1914! Here, look and read:



Back to the cross. This is ringmarked "KO". This is a common maker's mark for Königliches Münzamt, Abteiling Orden. This "maker" was located in Berlin.

Anyway, looking back at this info, reading it again, aint this fun? I've been looking for anything on Jozef Coenen? But so far, nothing but a Dr. Jozef Coenen that lived from 1870 to 1958. But I think that was a dutch guy! No cigar yet on that 1.

Enjoy,
Karin-Renate

Well done K.
Nice grouping.
--dj--Joe

Karin, very nice grouping and very beautifull "KO" cross.

Karin-Renate,

To me this is what collecting's all about, appreciating and enjoying all the nuances, no matter what areas we choose to collect.

A maker's mark, family name, city or military unit casts a whole new light on a subject, bringing with it an entirely new perspective and appreciation.

Hope you'll continue to share your thoughts, observations and insights with all of us here at the forum.

Many thanks and grüsse aus Philadelphia!

Bill

Hi Bill,

Wow, YES, this is fun indeed! Thanks very much for your very nice comment Its perhaps more appreciated then you'd know ...

Sincerely, and many many greetings back,
Karin-Renate

Thanks Ricardo!

OK so, here's another EKII 1914. Again, this 1 is not as good conditioned as yours? Yours is preserved very lovely! Like with "my" other 1 above, age also has left its evidence on this 1. Its a nice dark'ish cross though. Imagine that I thought it was the same cross as an EKII 1939 when I found this. I actually had to look more then twice to notice that there's no swastika That must've been about the 1st thing I learned.

No marks on this 1 but for the "800" on the ring. This is a value for silver-content, not a makermark. We have an anonymous cross here like so many others. Still, once, this was awarded, due to courage ... the ceremony, the tension of the receiver ... gosh ... all gone, but the cross, is still here.

Enjoy,
Karin-Renate

An interesting example K .

You have inspired me to dig out my 800 marked EKII. It has also suffered from rust.

--dj--Joe

One more picture.

--dj--Joe

Karin,

Nice cross too, I love very much it's Schinkel form, very different from the more commom WWII crosses. I'm looking for a schinkel like your's too.

Sincerely,

Ricardo

Very nice cross too Joe.

WOW! JOE! NICE PICS! I like the pinky background! But, cool crosses! I dont see much rust? Nice! Very nice! Whats that skull there? Wheres that from? Doesnt THAT make an übercool display! Is that from some regiment? Oooohw YOU had FUN there I suspect Thanks for sharing!

Love,
Karin-Renate

Hi Ricardo,

Schinkel, this is Karl Friedrich Schinkel, right? the designer of the Eisernes Kreuz 1813? King Wilhelm wanted him to use the Prussian Crown in or on it? Or, do you mean by Schinkel, that it has straight arms? Or ...

On an EK2 1939s it refers to narrow(er) arms? I think? Its not a maker, I see people write Juncker + Deumer made Schinkels ... I think my understanding of Schinkel is not clear?

Sincerely,
Karin-Renate

Karin,

Yes, I used the schinkel expression in reference to the narrow arms. I think collectors use currently this term because the similarity with the Friedrich Schinkel original design.

When 1939 EK2 was designed they arms tips was widened for best composition with the central swastika.

There was at WWII era Otto Schinkel's made crosses(LDO L/15)too. But they don't have necessarilly the original schinkel form.

Sincerely,

Ricardo

Thanx for that Ricardo! Making a mental + a written note