Most interesting story, but what is a fact is that I have seen no Oak Leaves documents signed in facsimile. Of course I only owned three Oak Leaves, a number of Knights crosses, only one Swords and one Diamonds. The diamonds was unfinished and some jerk forged Hitler's Signature after the war. It was being made up for General Hermann Balck and a photo can be seen in Angolia's FOR FUHRER AND FATHERLAND, Vol. 1, 2nd and 3rd Editions.
If they were being produced, stored and not being given out, then when did this practice begin? True, over 7,000 RK, approximately 850 Oak Leaves, 150 Swords and 28 Diamonds were awarded, but where are they today? Maybe the Russians used them to warm their camp fires, but what ever happened to them today they are as scarce as frog feathers and have been now for over 50 years. Now the documents have caught the eye of the counterfeiter and they are popping up in an ever increasing number. The awards are coming out without the main hard cover except in rare instances.
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