EleanorPreece Posted 2 March , 2014 Share Posted 2 March , 2014 Hello All This medal was found this weekend in a small suitcase along with a family bible and photos etc it has been in my Grandmothers wardobe for years and years and we believe that the medal belonged to my Great Great Uncle Leonard Ellis of the Kings Royal Rifles. I have spent a few hours looking online for for it and can find similar but not exact versions of it. The initials on the reverse side are R C. Knowing a lot about our family history but nothing about insignia I was hoping someone could help please ? Many thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 2 March , 2014 Share Posted 2 March , 2014 Is the date on it 1914? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EleanorPreece Posted 2 March , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 March , 2014 Yes hard to see it's a bit battered ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 2 March , 2014 Share Posted 2 March , 2014 A W in the centre and a crown above? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EleanorPreece Posted 2 March , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 March , 2014 Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 2 March , 2014 Share Posted 2 March , 2014 Could be this one http://www.germanmilitaria.com/imperial/photos/G018469.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EleanorPreece Posted 2 March , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 March , 2014 hmm they are a little fancier, this is very plain with slightly thicker arm crosses ?! arm sections ? lol the edging is completely plain just a line around the edges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 2 March , 2014 Share Posted 2 March , 2014 Do a google of Iron Cross 1914 or Iron Cross WW1. There will be medal dealers showing pics and descriptions. Maybe yours is just well worn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EleanorPreece Posted 2 March , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 March , 2014 The W is also very wide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 2 March , 2014 Share Posted 2 March , 2014 See my previous post. they crossed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EleanorPreece Posted 2 March , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 March , 2014 Thank you I will keep looking, i think there is molten metal or something stuck over the 9 ! Obviously the chap took a battering ! :/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sepoy Posted 2 March , 2014 Share Posted 2 March , 2014 It is certainly not a real Iron Cross but is based on one. During the war numerous spoof Iron Crosses were produced by the Allies see here It could also simply be a poor copy Iron Cross produced as a souvenir. What is the medallion made from? Sepoy Here is the obverse of a real Iron Cross 2nd Class (on modern ribbon) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EleanorPreece Posted 2 March , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 March , 2014 ahh oh I am not sure it is reasonably weighty how might I find out ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sepoy Posted 2 March , 2014 Share Posted 2 March , 2014 Here is the reverse of a real Iron Cross (which needs a bit of a clean). Notice that the centre is mounted in a nickel silver frame. If yours is a lead copy, the cross may feel bendy. Sepoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EleanorPreece Posted 2 March , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 March , 2014 There is a little shop in Sidmouth Devon that has uniforms in the window and I believe might be a dealer of medals, i might try and get into to see him, Thank you all for your really quick replies much appreciated ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 2 March , 2014 Share Posted 2 March , 2014 In your photo the top of the arms don't look symmetrical. Could just be the angle of the shot? On closer inspection the W is in a different font. Sepoy has probably got it right. Thanks for posting as it reminded me that I have one lying around somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EleanorPreece Posted 2 March , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 March , 2014 yes wonky camera angle on my phone, I am sure you are right the pictures online are much fancier ! I will keep it with his pictures it's a shame we havent found any of his medals but i am sure the nanna wlil have another suitcase or box squirreled away ! Thanks again for your help chaps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 3 March , 2014 Share Posted 3 March , 2014 Come back and let us know what you find out and if any other WW1 items or pics turn up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khaki Posted 3 March , 2014 Share Posted 3 March , 2014 It It is certainly not a real Iron Cross but is based on one. During the war numerous spoof Iron Crosses were produced by the Allies see hereSepoy I agree there were numerous spoof Iron Cross medals made, crudely cast, often with a legend such as 'fur kultur' or 'fur der kaiser' or some such theme, there is a collector on the forum who has an outstanding collection of them. They were for propaganda purposes but exactly how they were utilized I am not sure. khaki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EleanorPreece Posted 3 March , 2014 Author Share Posted 3 March , 2014 Thank you I will let you know anything I find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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