S&L made RK's for the "collector Market"

[Tom B]

Hi Guy's ! Another question from me ! Sorry for so many ! The S&L made Knights Crosses that are considered New and for the collector market (the 800 marked, sandblasted looking frame etc.) I have always wondered WHY S&L made no effort to Polish the frames?? I have often wondered if it was just a money saving step ?? They certainly would look so much better if they had ! When you also take into account the "Bad" paint job also, could it have saved "that" much money to go the extra mile ! Many Thanks, Tom

[Nigel N]

Hi Tom!
Good question!!!
I can only guess that they did save money doing it that way?? I have seen one of the sandblasted RK's, and it would need a silver coating, seperately applied i reckon to get a shiney frame, thats one part of the process they skimped on, so a saving there! Then theres the sloppy paint job, they used to paint the cores before they assembled the cross, then they changed to painting after assembly, meaning that paint often caught the beading, but that still does'nt explain why the paint on older crosses is usually smooth and even, while on late ones its.......terrible!!! Must have completly changed the painting technique, again i guess to make more savings??
So if you add up those savings over thousands of RK's, i suppose it would save quite a few bucks!!
-Nigel

[Tom B]

Nigel, I wonder how many Knight's Cross winners ordered and wore these types ? I would think there had to be some don't you think ? Have you ever seen provenance with this type ? Since the frame is 800 silver why is it thats it's not glossy at all ? And I agree painting after assembly is stange to me !! Is S&L still making these today ??? Thanks Nigel, Tom

[Nigel N]

Hi Tom!!
I guess its possible that a vet might have one of these, but i reckon most of them would have bought their replacement RK's way back in the late 50's/ early 60's, to be honest, i dont think a vet would be very impressed with these late pieces? Maybe Mathijs, our resident RK guy can say if he's seen any late RK's that were vet attributed??
The 800 silver sandblasted frames always puzzled me, i dont think that S&L would have marked them 800 if they were'nt, but i've never seen any silver jewellery etc. that was 800 marked that looked as poor as those RK frames!!
-Nigel (shades not needed for these frames!)

[Tom B]

I agree with you Nigel. Lets wait & see what Mathijs can add to all this. Such fine work for many years by S&L, it's hard to believe they would put thier approval on these late ones at all ! I'm curious about any Vet Attributed ones. Thanks Nigel, Tom

[Hagen]

Great topic!!