FLAK

[odal]

Hi all!

I want to show you this FLAK-ring. I think in this condition a real beauty.
Silver inside stamped "835", "F* an "Ln" in a half circle.
In very good condition - only right from the wing a little damage of the emaille


regards


Odal

[Gaspare]

There is a 3 rank gull Luft. ring being reproduced in Latvia right now. Have you seen it on the auctions? It's scary good!

Do you have this ring in your hand?
How is the enamel look?

[odal]

Yes i have the ring in my hands and i have seen the auctions. The enamel is faint? (a lott of little small scratches) and weather-beaten (i hope you know what i mean) so it looks like the enamel on some other old rings i own.

Dit you have one of the lavatian reings in your hand?

[Gaspare]

Odal, a friend bought one 2 months ago. Flak, 3 gulls.. When he finally got it he was going to call me to come by to take a look at it but he said it was so bad [the enamel] that right after he opened it he repackaged it and sent it back.

2 problems, he sent it back so fast I didn't get a chance to photograph it!,,and its now been almost a month and he hasn't got his money back!

Real glass fired enamel is still a problem for the counterfeiters.. So if yours is glassy and the real type [and I know you can tell!] then you got a excellent ring there!!
If any member happens to get one of these Luft. Flak [red] with 3 gulls from East Europe ,we'd all love to see photos of it ,or email me privately about it and I'll post if your shy...,Thanks , G.

[odal]

i am not 100% sure, but i think the ring and the enamel is old.
I take the ring untill i know sure its a copy for an original.
Its very good workmanship and i hope its done in the period.
Dit you see fakes/copies with one wing in this pattern?

regards

Odal

[Gaspare]

Odal,, well, a good jeweler might be able to tell you if its enamel or what is called 'quick enamels' which is really plastic and/or a epoxy...

So far I've only seen the 3 gull rank rings in the Flak red....

[Evgeniy]

Yeh . i agree it latvian copy

[odal]

Okay friends!

First i was happy to own this ring. i was sure it`s an original in best condition.
Then came your oppinions and i was angry about the ring because i thaught it is a copy.
Now the enamel is tested and it is enamel!
And i don`t know what i should think.
Are there any sure signs to recognize a copy or an original of this pattern.
evigny do yo have such a copy in your hands or own one?

regards


Odal

[Gaspare]

It's tricky old buddy.. There is old time real fired glass paste enamel,,and there is a newer type. The newer type can still tests as enamel sometimes but its a low temp type not use during WW2.. The new type is more opaque looking than glassy. You really have to find a enamel expert. This is very difficult because most use a scratch type or hot pin method to find out..I'm going to a jewelry making class this Sept.that will be showing enameling. I'm going just to find out about these new types and the old!.

*odal,,,Did you see how he tested it??

O.K.,,we gotta get this fellow from Latvia to send better shots of his ring! , and to ask him if he offers a single gull ring.. Once we have the photos we can compare bands,,the acorns, leafs, etc..

I'll ask first and see if he answers me... I'll keep you posted......,G.

[Gaspare]

o.k.,,got a photo of a Latvian fake flak ring.. there seem to be 2 kinds.. This one and a very smooth front example..

this is pretty easy to spot,,the red is below the 'gulls' . Original enamel rings are NOT like that..Odals does NOT appear to be of this type..

This band is rather good looking and with the right front would fool many!,,dangerous!

Still looking for the Latvian smooth type..

[odal]

Yes. Looks not bad.
But the "enamel" looks like paint and doesn´t fill the plate to the same hight as the ornament/wings.
All origninal rings i saw the enamel was plain with the ornaments on the ring plate.

Thanks for showing this ring!

[odal]

an other FLAK, 2 wings, brass, gold plated, black enamel

[Gaspare]

odal,,thats is a good know pattern. Photos not so good though..
Do you own this? Can you get better photos?

[odal]

Yes it is one of my rings - i try to take better pictures these days