Adrian
8th January 2009, 22:52
Due to the popularity of EK collecting I thought it might be an idea to list a few of the more common terms used in the description of EKs and point out what they refer to in relation to the cross.
This isn't a definitive guide as many collectors have their own way of describing things but from experience the terminology I've listed seems to be the most commonly used. Hopefully it will make things a bit clearer to those who wonder what a 'die flaw' is or where to find a 'hump'. If any members can see any glaring mistakes or see any omissions, please add it to the thread or let me know so I can amend it.
It would be good to have all types of EK listed with their respective terminology:
Second class
First class pinback
First class screwback
Knights cross
This thread might seem a bit basic and to some completely unnecessary but I hope it might be of some use to others, new collectors or those wishing to branch into EK collecting from other fields.
The first photo is the front or obverse of an EK2. Most terms are self explanatory.
Ribbon ring - the ring through which the ribbon is threaded and where the makers mark is commonly found.
Suspension ring (or Cross Ring) - a smaller ring attached to the top of the EK to hold the ribbon ring.
Frame - made in two halves (obverse and reverse), usually from nickel-silver or plated brass. The core is sandwiched between them.
Beading - ribbed part of the frame, forming the border around the blackened core. Specific features can be used in alot of cases to identify manufacturers.
Core - usually made of iron and magnetic although they can be found in copper, brass and sometimes zinc.
Inner corners - the corners nearest the swastika.
Obverse date - 1939, the date of institution by Hitler, differing styles and features can be used to identify EKs to their maker.
Outer corners - the corners on the outer edges, furthest from the swastika - eight in total.
Step - a small step between the beading and the flat surface of the frame.
Swastika - used as the central design on EKs made between 1939-'45.
Pedestal - on some EKs the swastika can be found to sit on a raised platform or pedestal.
The second photo is the back or reverse of an EK2.
Makers mark - commonly found stamped into the ribbon ring but Juncker and Wachtler & Lange stamped their 'L' numbers inro the frame. An incuse style mark is also shown.
Arms - the four arms that radiate out from the centre of the cross.
Reverse date - the foundation date of the EK.
The third photo is a montage showing more features and terminology used from various EKs.
Hump - not found on all crosses but some makers used this hump to solder the suspension ring to.
Birds foot - this is a useful feature to identify Souval made EKs. So called because the outer corners of the beading are likened to a three toed bird foot.
Cross hatching - most commonly found on the inner corners of the beading on EKs by Juncker. Looks like a hash # symbol.
Die flaws - come in many types and forms. Some are caused by wear to the die used in the manufacture of the EK, some are features of the die from the start, for example Steinhauer & Luck frames have a distinctive flaw and Wachtler & Lange have the ''scrunched bead'.
Patina - darkening of the frame over time and general age deterioration.
Frosting - the matt white finish to the beading, usually lost to time but commonly found on EKs by Gustav Brehmer and Wachtler & Lange.
Spidering - the thin lines on the core cause by corrosion under the surface paint.
Scrunched bead - a useful feature to identify EKs by Wachtler & Lange and Juncker although there is some difference between the two. It looks like a thin bead has been 'scrunched' between two regular beads.
Rounded inner corners - a feature on the inners corners of the beading that have a rounded appearance as opposed to the more common angular inner corner. Found on EKs by a few manufacturers, Souval and J.J. Stahl for example.
This isn't a definitive guide as many collectors have their own way of describing things but from experience the terminology I've listed seems to be the most commonly used. Hopefully it will make things a bit clearer to those who wonder what a 'die flaw' is or where to find a 'hump'. If any members can see any glaring mistakes or see any omissions, please add it to the thread or let me know so I can amend it.
It would be good to have all types of EK listed with their respective terminology:
Second class
First class pinback
First class screwback
Knights cross
This thread might seem a bit basic and to some completely unnecessary but I hope it might be of some use to others, new collectors or those wishing to branch into EK collecting from other fields.
The first photo is the front or obverse of an EK2. Most terms are self explanatory.
Ribbon ring - the ring through which the ribbon is threaded and where the makers mark is commonly found.
Suspension ring (or Cross Ring) - a smaller ring attached to the top of the EK to hold the ribbon ring.
Frame - made in two halves (obverse and reverse), usually from nickel-silver or plated brass. The core is sandwiched between them.
Beading - ribbed part of the frame, forming the border around the blackened core. Specific features can be used in alot of cases to identify manufacturers.
Core - usually made of iron and magnetic although they can be found in copper, brass and sometimes zinc.
Inner corners - the corners nearest the swastika.
Obverse date - 1939, the date of institution by Hitler, differing styles and features can be used to identify EKs to their maker.
Outer corners - the corners on the outer edges, furthest from the swastika - eight in total.
Step - a small step between the beading and the flat surface of the frame.
Swastika - used as the central design on EKs made between 1939-'45.
Pedestal - on some EKs the swastika can be found to sit on a raised platform or pedestal.
The second photo is the back or reverse of an EK2.
Makers mark - commonly found stamped into the ribbon ring but Juncker and Wachtler & Lange stamped their 'L' numbers inro the frame. An incuse style mark is also shown.
Arms - the four arms that radiate out from the centre of the cross.
Reverse date - the foundation date of the EK.
The third photo is a montage showing more features and terminology used from various EKs.
Hump - not found on all crosses but some makers used this hump to solder the suspension ring to.
Birds foot - this is a useful feature to identify Souval made EKs. So called because the outer corners of the beading are likened to a three toed bird foot.
Cross hatching - most commonly found on the inner corners of the beading on EKs by Juncker. Looks like a hash # symbol.
Die flaws - come in many types and forms. Some are caused by wear to the die used in the manufacture of the EK, some are features of the die from the start, for example Steinhauer & Luck frames have a distinctive flaw and Wachtler & Lange have the ''scrunched bead'.
Patina - darkening of the frame over time and general age deterioration.
Frosting - the matt white finish to the beading, usually lost to time but commonly found on EKs by Gustav Brehmer and Wachtler & Lange.
Spidering - the thin lines on the core cause by corrosion under the surface paint.
Scrunched bead - a useful feature to identify EKs by Wachtler & Lange and Juncker although there is some difference between the two. It looks like a thin bead has been 'scrunched' between two regular beads.
Rounded inner corners - a feature on the inners corners of the beading that have a rounded appearance as opposed to the more common angular inner corner. Found on EKs by a few manufacturers, Souval and J.J. Stahl for example.