Posted 13 years ago
stepback_a…
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Pictured here is a WW II German Iron Cross 2nd Class which was converted by its owner to a Knights Cross. It was a common practice for Knights Cross winners to convert their 2nd class crosses for fear of losing or having their original presentation piece damaged. The Iron Cross is smaller than the Knights Cross. The owner could have a jeweller add a small ring to the existing cross, then add a Knights Cross suspension ring to the small ring. Sometimes the owner would choose to use the Knights Cross ribbon, or as in this case used the ribbon from the Iron Cross 2nd Class. Tie strings or a hook and loop device would be stitched to the ribbon in order to secure the award around the owners neck.
That is wild. I have never heard that one before.
Difficult to authenticate without the proper provenance, but not at all unheard of. Personally I like the EKII to EKI conversions more; adding a pin on the back takes a little more creativity (and I love one-off, odd ball creativity). Cool piece!
Great hobby; no matter how long I collect I will never know it all.
My dad brought several of these medals back from his time in Germany during ww11. I also have a plastic pin that says Nurnberg and what looks like a castle behind it and the words stadt der reichsparteitage accross the bottom. You know anything about these? Maybe I'll post it on my show and tell page so you can see and comment. Thanks!