German Iron Cross 1st Class - Opinions?

[molydeii]

Dear everyone,

Can I hear your opinions about authenticity of this Iron Cross 1st class? It has "L15" mark on its pin, classic three piece magnetic core construction. I am far from an expert in medals or iron crosses, therefore would like to hear your opinions from the pictures. Thank you. 

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear molydeii,

The cased EKI in your possession looks genuine to me, bar perhaps the '1914'. 

For 1914-18 the EKI award numbers (mostly to Officers) are given as 218,000.

Of course replacement EKIs and later fakes/replicas have to be taken into account. Although quite common, the EKII and especially the EKI were highly coveted.

Attached a genuine EKI for your information (my German wife's maternal grandfather: Leutnant der Reserve Rudolf Schneider).

Kindest regards,

Kim.

Edited 22 December , 2021 by Kimberley John Lindsay

[molydeii]

5 hours ago, Kimberley John Lindsay said:

Dear molydeii,

The cased EKI in your possession looks genuine to me, bar perhaps the '1914'. 

For 1914-18 the EKI award numbers (mostly to Officers) are given as 218,000.

Of course replacement EKIs and later fakes/replicas have to be taken into account. Although quite common, the EKII and especially the EKI were highly coveted.

Attached a genuine EKI for your information (my German wife's maternal grandfather: Leutnant der Reserve Rudolf Schneider).

Kindest regards,

Kim.

Thank you Kim! The medal lot your wife's maternal grandfather has recieved looks pretty handsome. It's beyond me to imagine how much difficulties that man had gone through during the war. I hope he had a nice life after he left the army.

Just a note, in another age I also was a reserve Leutnant in the army for eighteen months. Miltary service is compulsory for citizens in where I am from. 

I kind of tend to think the EK1 I own is also a genuine one. the cardboard black covered box with purple insides is a sign of late war produced Ek1's, someone said to me. The 1914 seems to be just a degree or two tilted to the right side, but some other Ek1^s online show a similar tilting, and as I keep googling, I see lots of different types of "1914" used in different medals from different producers. 

Having said all those, still different perspectives and opinions are always welcome. Maybe it's a very good fake, I don't really know. It seems hard to spot quality made collector fakes or post war private purchase issues when it comes to Ek1's. 

Edited 22 December , 2021 by molydeii

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear molydeii,

You are quite right. Sometimes the fakes look just as convincing as the confirmed ones.

Never mind, an EKI is an EKI is an... Your specimen, especially with the box, looks okay to me. 

Yes, Leutnant d. R. Rudolf Schneider (later Hauptmann d. R., ca. 1940) (1891-1963), served 1914-18 with the Artillery (Reservefeldartillerie Regiment Nr. 66). EKII 1914; Zähringer Löwe (Baden) 1917; EKI 1918. Wounded 1918. Later managing director of a small factory in Baden. 

Kindest regards,

Kim. 

[AOK4]

The L 15 mark seems to indicate a post war production at least. I don't like what seems to be soldering on the upper part at the back (possible from attaching a Wiederholungsspange?).

Just my thoughts.

Jan

[molydeii]

Hi Jan, just a quick question, why you didn't like the soldering mark on the upper part? I also have noticed that and gave a thought what might that be. I would not mind a post war production though.

[molydeii]

6 hours ago, Kimberley John Lindsay said:

Dear molydeii,

You are quite right. Sometimes the fakes look just as convincing as the confirmed ones.

Never mind, an EKI is an EKI is an... Your specimen, especially with the box, looks okay to me. 

Yes, Leutnant d. R. Rudolf Schneider (later Hauptmann d. R., ca. 1940) (1891-1963), served 1914-18 with the Artillery (Reservefeldartillerie Regiment Nr. 66). EKII 1914; Zähringer Löwe (Baden) 1917; EKI 1918. Wounded 1918. Later managing director of a small factory in Baden. 

Kindest regards,

Kim. 

And I have to say Leutnant Schneider looking really handsome!