While emailing another member, the thought crossed me that some info was contained in an article that many members may be unfamiliar with. Most collectors value 3rd Reich items and know about the removal of the Hakenkreuz (English speakers call it a "swastika", actually a misnomer) from German medals and insignia in 1957.
What generally isn't widely known is that between 1945 - 1957, newly made replacement medals and insignia continued to carry the Hakenkreuz. In the instance of medals, it is possible to find this series made of typically zinc (other metals are possible) and are generally without manufacturer markings. (Obviously, an Iron Cross of any class would fail the magnet test in this case!) Before any collector gets the wrong idea, these 2 characteristics do not mean a medal is authentic or a forgery - just that some were made like this in 1945-1957. At any rate, they can't be classed as "initial issue" but perhaps a better term is "Jeweler's copy" even though they may have been made with the same die that was used under contract to the 3rd Reich for initial issues. A German law in took effect in 1957 that made the manufacture and sell of militaria items with the Hakenkreuz illegal and the Hakenkreuz was removed or, in some cases, filed off. Each medal has to be individually evaluated and the Germans militaria collectors have substantial documentation of the variants.
The particular article that highlited this was about the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross made by "Steinhauer & Lück" (S&L). The German magazine "Revue" (Mai 1953) contains an article, price lists, and illustrations which clearly verify these comments as well as the German collector magazine "Militaria" (Juli-August 2005, pages 124-139).
Highly experienced collectors of 3rd Reich items know about this but rarely share this bit of trivia with beginner or intermediate collectors. Hope this helps someone.
