Iron Cross vendor question...by be OT
 

Hi All,

As you may know, I am a WWI buff and with respect to that character flaw, I am looking for an Iron Cross 1st class and an Iron Cross 2nd class.

I have found a 2nd class medal at this website:
http://snyderstreasures.com/pages/ironcross.htm

and I am wondering if anyone has any insight into this vendor.

I am hoping this is not a misuse of the board.

Richard.

Check your PMs

Richard,

Before purchasing anything from these various dealers, here are a couple of reference sites. The first is a good resource for researching medals, the second is the German Dagger guys, who are knowledable about everything German Military as this site is about the Luger. Join the site an ask the members for recommendations and purchasing advice.

Good Luck!

http://www.theaerodrome.com/medals/germany/index.php
http://forum.germandaggers.com/ubbth...Board=9&page=1

Hi alannit good advice...

The aerodrome is a good site and I am already a member; but, its primary focus is WWI aerial combat and WWI aviation matters; I do ping there for advice and thoughts.

I did not know about the second link: http://forum.germandaggers.com/index.php so I did check it out.

It is a military site and they do have a very small section on Imperial German uniforms and other items; but, the site is really catering to the WWII buff.
At least that is what my gut told me after a couple of minutes of flipping through the topics.

The Iron Crosses that I saw in abundance were from the Third Reich; they seem very collectible but just not my cup o' tea.

Hey Richard,

If you haven't already found it www.warrelics.eu is another good forum board (especially for an experienced evaluation if something is original or fake) with a good for sale section of militaria including WWI crosses, it is primarily European collectors and WWII but there is a great Imperial German militaria board on it. Very friendly and they offer good recommendations on dealers to work with and those to not.

Thanks, Nick

As far as I could read on several militaria forums, the dealer you mentioned on your first message has a not so good reputation. Personally, I have been dealt, without any issues, with the following dealers:

www.emedals.ca (nice source for German Imperial medals, Barry is the owner)
www.germanmilitaria.com
www.weitze.de
www.history-shop.de
www.derritmeister.com (be aware of the prices though)

I'm listing these references based on my personal previous experience. This, however, do not preclude you to do your homework. Hence I strongly suggest you to join some militaria discussion forum in order to know what you're buying. Here are two good boards:

http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/index.php
http://gmic.co.uk/

Just like Lugers, messed or faked German militaria is all around.

Douglas.

Seigersallee, I would stay away from Snyderstreasures. I probably have what you want.

Hi Doug, Nick, and George:

Thanks for giving me your thoughts; that is exactly what I was looking for: info on the seller.

Also, the links, I think, will be very valuable.

George, I PM'ed you.

Thanks,
Richard

Richard,

I collected German Militaria for a dozen of years.
I sold my collection few years ago, in order to focus on firearms. But I retained some items: you know, Iron Crosses are really charming.
Feel free to contact me for any further questions.

Douglas

If George Anderson has what you are looking for.... you cannot find a more trusted source.

Agreed. George will sell you the best quality/condition original items at the best price.

Hi all and good morning...(it is 6AM here),

Thanks for all good information...

Just to be clear, at this time I am only looking for 1st and 2nd class crosses from the WWI and earlier.

Douglas, if I find one on the net that I am interested in I will contact with a link to it. Actually, I have seen a lot of what appear to be good crosses at the site that you told me about.
Barry's site: www.emedals.ca

George, I PM'ed you about your Iron Cross and I have not forgotten about your lugers, I am waiting on my C & R to be approved. Its already been 2 weeks :confused:

It looks like alanint and lugerholster hold you in high regard. :thumbup:

I can't wait to see your crosses. :thumbsup:

BTW, gunman, I PM'ed you with my email.

siegersallee

Is Iron Cross made of iron, or silver? I've seen a few WWI in sterling, is that right?

Original Iron crosses have a painted iron center and are sandwiched by a frame of "German silver".

http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/iron...ufacturing.htm

Of course, George is a nice source, in addition to the fact that collector-to-colletor deals are usually smoother and cheaper.
I recently got from Barry a nice group to go with my P08s (picture from his site):


Douglas.

Doug,

That is exactly what I am planning, Iron Crosses of WWI to go with my Erfurt and soon to acquire DWM.

Those medals are cool and the paper to go with it, I am sure goes really well with your WWI era Lugers...sweet :rockon:

Yeah, I guess I mis-interpreted George's post, I thought he meant crosses, he PM'ed me about Lugers...that's cool. :thumbup:

I agree. I collected WWI medals years ago so I have an extensive collection myself, below are just a few of my German ones. I do have an Iron Cross second class plus many other medals.

I only recently got my WWI Luger which is 1917 DWM (in rememberance to my father who recently passed who sold his Luger years ago but it was a post WWII one anyway) but I like that it goes nicely with my WWI medal collection.

These guys are right you need to be careful, I searched for years and saw many fakes. I'm sure their reccomeded sources are on the up & up.

Here is just a few of my German WWI medals. None of the ribbons are original but the medals are. The Blue Max belonged to German fighter ace Wilhelm Frankl but it was not the original issue but what is called a jewler's make that many winners would have made because they had to be wearing one all the time and didn't always want it to be the one they were issued.

shadow,

That is a really swell Pour le' Merite. Those are quite valuable.

I saw one at an online auction site that was priced at $18K. :eek:

I doubt it will sell anytime soon; but, it was a sight to behold.

I'm glad you shared your "luger accessories".

I'd say you have a really nice piece of history :thumbup:.

siegersallee

WWI Iron Cross
 

If your interested in a WWI Iron Cross I have one with papers mounted in a frame. I will be happy to send you photos if you have any interest in seeing it

The Cross was awarded to Gefreiten Kuehnle, 144 IR 4K Juni 1917


Might save you $$ and I am a trusted seller.

Jim

Simple but so unique

sweet...