L55 W&L Eisernes Kreuz 1 Klasse Mint.

Another aquisition from my holiday, another mint ek. This time an L55 Wachtler und Lange with LDO case and paper label. All of the frosting is present and correct. Bought this from the same source as the ek2 by the same maker.

Regards John

 

stop it!! and xmas is coming..lol..lovely piece john..

 

Beautiful pieces, and it's interesting to see them as they would have looked when originally awarded.

 

Thanks lads, tried to upload some more picks but it just didnt happen.

regards John

 

I ran outta salutes so forced you to take reps instead. Great cased EKII, I now have one myself ;-))

 

very curious about the lack of patina on the silver

 

Why curious? Its been lovingly stored away, until I got my greedy mits on it!
This one and the mm100 ek2 came from the same source in Germany. Both 100% original.
This can be bourne out by the style of makers mark, and the flaw to the frosted beading on the 12 o clock arm RHS low down, where all Wachtler und Lange crosses have this same flaw, which looks like, an extra thinner rib. With the "hump" on the ek2, which again is a W&L trademark, along with many examples by this maker in near perfect condition with all the original frosting. Not all makers used the frosting on their eks, and not all made them to such a very high standard of finnish. You just have to look at Paulmann and Crone crosses to see that. Deumer crosses are another example of crosses that last the test of time whether marked 3 or L/11

Regards John

 

that is great that you were able to get those mint condition crosses, I was just curious to know why the silver had not tarnished but I guess tarnish is not always a good reference as to age

thanks for posting these awesome IKs wish I had them lol

 

Hello nachtjager61
you are quite correct, tarnish is not always a good reference. There is a well documented new ek2 fake which almost resembles a mm98 cross without the mm. They have come in mint, and ones with "artificial ageing". I believe urine is one way of aging by unscrupulous people. If you want eks like this one, they are actually quite common. mm100 or L55 or unmarked all to W&L have retained some of the best finishes. These 26 s also if you take your time.
regards John