An outstanding forgery of Oldenburg's Friedrich-August-Kreuz I. Klasse (Friedrich-August Cross 1st Class) has now been documented.  While excellent, there are some distinguishing characteristics that make it readily identifiable.  Unfortunately, I can not illustrate it on eBay due to copyright of the photos.  In Germany, the problem of militaria forgeries is less than in North America because as soon as a forgery is noted on the market, it's quickly documented and published.  In 2006, excellent copies of orders, decorations, and medals (and the various clasps and attachments) primarily of the various German States began to surface in Germany.  Investigation led the source to northern Germany with production beginning in mid-2005.   It is likely that  some of these will find their way to eBay.

1914 Friedrich-August Cross 1st Class (original)

A Friedrich-August-Kreuz I. Klasse in buntmetal (2.6mm thick) appears to have been recently introduced.  The quickest way to test a Friedrich-August-Kreuz to see if this guide applies is a magnet test - if the magnet does not attach to the cross then this guide might apply.  Detection of an original hallmark also renders this guide non-applicable.  2 of the 3 known examples were offered in undamaged original boxes of presentation.  It is of the flat cross pin-back type (also made of buntmetal and very neatly soldered onto the cross) and is heavily coated with a lacquer and 2 example seem to suggest 2 different forms of toning while the 3rd example is in pristine condition.  None are known with a screw-back attachment, although this would be relatively easy to do.  None are known in the vaulted style.  The FA and 1914 as well as the outer wreath appears to be correct with no indicators of a copy medal.  The crown is one of the few designs that the forger did not copy correctly as it is a more basic (although very good at first glance) representation rather than the finely detailed crown of the original.  All 3 examples show signs of minimal wear and aging on the reverse, although it is particularly noticeable on the pin-back, and none carry a hallmark or any other form of marking.   All examples measure 1 5/8 inches x 1 5/8 inches, which is a correct measurement.  A group of collectors in Germany suspect that between 50 to 100 may have been produced (while another expert suggest possibly as few as 5) but this can not be verified.

All of these distinguishing features have been done extremely well, making it an absolutely 1st class example.  The Germans have labeled this an overly-attractive forgery.  Germany's militaria forgery alert system is excellent!   Please remember that other copies exist and are relatively easy to identify but none approach this in degree of workmanship.  For further information on medals, please see my other guides and blog (http://blogs.ebay.com/tsa-li) - particularly the guides relating to collecting Imperial German items.  Thanks for viewing!