I am hoping this is the correct place to post this question:  I have recently become interested in collecting EK1's and EK2's and wanted to see if anyone could recommend reference books that identify manufactures and common characteristics of legitimate examples?  If someone could point me in the right direction to begin a study of these medals, I would greatly appreciate it.  

Personally I prefer  The Iron Time: A History of the Iron Cross by Stephen Thomas Previtera

 

Hi Jack-

     Thank you for your input.  I found it on Amazon and was able to order to a copy; the book sounds quite comprehensive.  It won't arrive until after Christmas, so I'll have to wait with baited breath!

My copy of The Iron Time arrived yesterday.  It was supposed to be here sometime after Christmas but it arrived early.  A very nice surprise and thank you Jack and Sarge for the recommendation.  I jumped into the back of the book for the information on the EK's of the WW2 era.  Very, very complete lists of manufactures, stories, etc.  

Iron Crosses...  Wow.  That's Pandora's Jar.

 

Here's a good place to start:

 

 

My references: