Opinion on 1914 ek1
 

Gentlemen,
I would like your opinions on an EK1 that has caught my interest offerred for sale on emedals. From what I have read, it appears to be a genuine example in reasonable shape. I have handled a few of these in a store but I have never owned one and since this would be an internet purchase, I want to make sure that I don't waste time and money. Does it appear to be genuine, does the seller have a good reputation and is the price generally in line with what one could expect to pay for a similar article?

Thank you,
Foxdoublegunner

http://www.emedals.com/an-first-clas...rewback-g13620

Ricardo,, It's a Meybauer but missing one important part. See the photos below.

That part could easily be fabricated if you really wanted to. Even lacking that part, the price doesn't seem terribly unreasonable does it George?

Ron, I sold the one shown for $350 but it took a long time. If I were to go after a good representative example, I'd look for a "KO" marked cross which is the make most commonly awarded by the Army. The market is getting a bit hazardous of late with lots of fakes coming out of Europe, Germany in particular.

George and Ron,
Thank you for your insight. My concern about the hazards of the market are precisely why I wanted to come to the experts for guidance.
Is it accurate to say that the vaulted versions were private purchase while the flatter versions were the issued examples? Which examples/characteristics are considered more desirable aside from the maker "KO" that you mentioned, George and condition, method of fastening etc?

Regards,
Ricardo

Yes Ricardo, the vaulted crosses are private purchase jeweler made. The simple flat crosses are the type that were issued. Generally speaking, the more elaborate the cross, the more valuable but if I were going to have just one, I would probably go with an issue type. I've cut my collection down from about ten 1st Class to only two and those are both engraved on the back with the names of the soldiers who were awarded them. One is vaulted and the other flat.

New 1914 EK 1
 

Gentlemen,
Attached are fotos of my newly purchased EK1 marked .800 on the back. I ended up paying a bit more than I wanted but it was the best example that I saw at the Militaria show this weekend. The blackened portion of the core appeared to be in particularly good condition with solid coloring and few surface imperfections. The silver frame has nice toning on the back with the silver mark obscured by the light reflection in the picture.
As I went around to the various tables at the show, I began to appreciate just how much of a minefield that collecting EK 1's can be.

Regards,
Foxdoublegunner