UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Medals & Badges of the Third Reich Forum Juncker L/12 RK Fraud

Several years ago, an article appeared in a militaria collecting publication which reported that the juncker firm had continued to produce RKs post war and had marked these post war "replacements" or "souveniers" with "L/12" in contrast to their "wartime" PK manufacturing code of "2". The article described the juncker post war crosses as being identical to the wartime pieces, only they were marked "L/12". This article was accompanied by fake letters from the juncker firm to substantiate the claim. This caused a panic among the uninitiated, who condemned the L/12 as fake, providing a good buying opportunity for those who later determined the letter to be a hoax by a disgruntled collector.

Unfortunately, some were unaware of this hoax and this story has re-emerged, to make the claim that the firm of juncker made RKs post war, which is in contrast to the prevailing wisdom that the RK dies were destroyed during the war.

However, as the truth eventually will expose frauds and hoaxes, the juncker RK pieces themselves hold the information to substantiate that the L/12 was not produced post war and was exclusively a wartime piece. As dies are struck, the flaws in the dies increase over time, with later produced pieces having a greater degree of flawing. There is a clear time line of juncker RK production that allows us to examine the degree of flawing that occurs in key areas. The neusilber pieces were early production, followed by 800 and L/12 marked pieces, and later by the lazy 2. If in fact there were L/12 pieces that were produced post war, they would have a greater degree of flawing than the lazy pieces, which are the latest wartime juncker production.

Detailed examination of flawing on these pieces shows the the L/12 has a greater degree of flawing than an early neusilber piece, but less than that of a lazy 2, dispelling the above L/12 hoax through simple examination of the pieces. This is a nice reminder that we should evaluate the piece itself and not the story, as there are often hoaxes created, as in the tale of the post war juncker L/12 Rk and the rounder RK, which can lead to false conclusions and create confusion in the collecting community.

Here is the article describing the "post war" L/12 production hoax. This issue recently resurfaced and was taken at face value by some collectors.

The article came complete with a fake letter from the juncker firm, which again was recently believed by some of the uninitiated

Here is the first flawing area of a neusilber piece. Notice the lack of flawing

same area on a different neusilber piece. These are the earliest juncker produced RKs

Now here is the beginning of the flaw in this area on an 800 only marked piece

the same area on an 800 "dot"

another 800 in the same area. Note the development of the flaw compared to the neusilber piece

Now the 800 L/12 in the same area

Another 800 L/12

and a third L/12 showing the flaw in the same area

Now here is a lazy 2 showing this area on the top of the 12 oclock arm- same area as above

another lazy 2

Here is the second area of flawing on the six oclock arm, beginning with the neusilber piece

another neusilber piece on the 6 oclock arm

Now the same area on an 800 piece

another 800 piece

a third 800 piece

800 L/12

another 800 L/12 on the 6 oclock arm

last 800 L/12 on the 6 oclock arm

Now the lazy 2 on the 6 oclock arm

another lazy 2 on the 6 oclock arm

The above images show a time line with increased flawing in the two areas analyzed in going from neusilber to 800 and L/12 800 to lazy 2. If the "L/12" hoax was real, there would be greater flawing on these pieces relative to the lazy 2, which is not the case. Close analysis of pieces can help identify fakes, but can confirm original pieces as well and prevent some of the hysteria that occurs when hoaxes are perpetuated to create confusion in the collecting community.

Quite a few L/12s KC changed hands about the time that article was printed and I was fotunate to get one for a relative low price incl the preliminary award document/photo album etc. I guess a few of those who sold their L/12s were not too happy afterwards when they found out the article was incorrect.

Good for you! I am glad that you trusted your own judgement and did not follow the panic of the herd.

Like the recent rounder fraud, in which provenance and data was altered in an attempt to legitimize a fake, so there will be situations in which authentic pieces are condemned fake. I am sure that this will not be the last time. I am glad that you had the observational skills and good sense to stick with your judgement!

...

Here is my (only) RK published on the frontpage of the "Military Advisor" at the time the facts concerning the L/12 KC was published by Gordon Williamson, it was breaking news back then when the differences between repro and original Juncker KC was discovered and published.

The RK was originally awarded to Rolf Johannesson of the Kriegsmarine in 1942 when he was the commander of the destroyer "Hermes" in the Mediterranean - the only major German surface ship to operate in the Med during WW2, he ended the war as Viceadmiral and was later one of the high ranking officers to start in the new Bundesmarine under Nato where he served until the 1960s.