UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Medals & Badges of the Third Reich Forum Schickle RK- when science works

Otto Schickle is a presumed maker of the knights cross of the iron cross, with many examples attributed to this maker. Schickle was not an official maker of the RK awarded a production contract by the PK, but was suggested to have made RKs for the retail market. There are examples of wartime and '57 RKs. Due to lack of solid provenance and the rounder in wear, some have suggested that perhaps the Schickle was a post war cross only and not a true wartime piece.

Investigation of the rounder RK, through analysis of the piece itself as well as SEM and IR spec data confirmed that piece to be fake. Data will eventually bear out the truth. Similarly, analysis of the schickle RK and SEM data suggests, in contrast to the rounder, that the schickle is a wartime piece.

reverse schickle

Purported provenance to the schickle RK

SEM analysis of the paint on the schickle RK, as well as a wachtler and lange EK2 and an imperial CD 800 cross showed the black pigments to be similiar, presumably vine black, an older pigment generated by combustion of plant products

wachtler and lange SEM

imperial CD 800 SEM results

Despite the presence of paint which was similar to that of a world war two and imperial piece, there was the presumption that the beading of the schickle was IDENTICAL to that of '57 RK pieces, suggesting that the piece was in fact post war. Fortunately, flawing increases over time and close analysis of the beading of a presumed wartime piece to a '57 RK shows the clear increase in flawing of the '57 piece, suggesting a much later production. Flaws increase, therefore by deduction the '39 piece preceded the '57.

Beading comparison #2- the gold colored piece is the '39

Beading comparison #3

Beading comparison #4

beading comparison #5

beading comparison #6

beading comparison #7

The flawing is clearly greater in the '57, suggesting a later production date.

Further, the paint evaluated under SEM showed a rough, non-uniform tecture of the paint, consistent with that seen visually on the RKs and EKs with bone black paint. This is in contrast to the rounder, which had shiney, smoothly granular paint.

Further analysis showed the frame of the schickle, lacking the "800" stamp, but showing a L/15 stamp on the ring, to be a silver plated nuesilber piece. This is a clear violation of the rules of the PK, however, these rules did not govern commercial sales, of which the L/15 would be considered to be an example. Faithfully, not being silver, the piece is unmarked.

The photo below shows the SEM details of the beading with the silver plate material thinned on the top of the beading to reveal the neusilber core below, confirmed by elemental SEM testing

The Schickle RK is an example that when data is faithfully presented, that science can help us uncover the truth, not only to prove fakes, but to help us substantiate the position of wartime pieces.

Interesting thread.
Thanks. --dj--Joe

BTTT for another go around.