Manufacturing The first section deals exclusively with the technical specifications and manufacturing of the Cross. It contains detailed blueprints, descriptions of manufacturing, and acatalog  with photos and characteristics of each maker.  This is one of the principal sections of the article. Embroidered/ Cases Because the German Cross was a heavy award, a cloth (embroidered) version was authorized for wear.  This type was particularly popular with Pilots, Tank Crews and others forced to operate in tight work environments.  This section also covers the cases the awards were presented in. Documents This section delves into the documentation that accompanied the Order.  It covers the annotations in personal documents (Soldbuch, Wehrpass), transitional award documents, and official award documents of the Heer, Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine. Conditions Recipient he ultimate reason the award even existed - the men of the Wehrmacht - are reviewed in this division of the study.  How many won the award?   What did they have to do to get it?  These questions and more are answered here. Other & 1957 There are exceptions to every rule, and the authors were able to find three which are detailed in this subdivision.  Also covered here are the miniature version of the cross, meant to be worn on the lapel, and the 1957 "denazified" version to be worn by surviving veterans. Reproductions All German decorations have been faked, and until recently the complicated construction of the DK made it a very difficult award to copy.  Because this has all changed, this segment of the investigation focuses on the issue of reproductions. German Cross Index Wehrmacht-Awards.com Index

François Saez and Jacques Calero

 

Copies

This rather rare decoration has been copied, like all German decorations.  The complex construction of the originals permitted spotting copies rather easily, in particular those which are not riveted.  The quality of the wreath details are also a good way to spot the difference, the wreath has to be not too rounded and compact, but should show well the detail of the laurel leaves. The pin-back should be massive and of good quality, identical to the currently authorized version. Certain copies have the same construction as the model of 1957, but with a swastika. Nevertheless, for some time now, we have remarked upon the appearance of a new generation of copies which dangerously approach the originals in construction and in quality.

Only minute observation combined with long experience on the subject enable one to confound the copies. 
BEWARE, to use the weights as a determinant factor could be a mistake (look above for Godet), even if the authors have remarked that fakes are often smaller and lighter than originals.
If you are not 100% sure, just don’t buy.

Fake Deutsche Kreuz in Gold, maker "21" (GODET, BERLIN) 
Width: 61,48 mm 
Hight: 61,97 mm 
Weight: 63,22 gr.

 

Fake DK 21 light model :

The weight of the light "21" is 52 gram. 

-Äußerer Kranz 62,44 mm 
-Oberer Kranz 59,49 mm 
-Goldener Kranz 38,71 mm 
-Swastika 29,56 mm 
-rivets 1.87 mm 
-Maker mark 3,17 x 2,14 mm

You have to know that this pieces are hand made and that the weights and measurements can be a little bit different.

 

 

Fake "21" Heavy Model

The weight of the heavy "21" 64 gram. 

-Äußerer Kranz 63,04 mm 
-Oberer Kranz 58,77 mm 
-Goldener Kranz 38,67 mm 
-Swastika 30 mm 
-Rivets 1,8 mm -
maker mark 3,17 x 2,14 mm

You have to know that this pieces are hand made and that the weights and measurements can be a little bit different.

 

 

Fake Deutsche Kreuz in Gold, maker "1" (DESCHLER & Sohn, MUNICH). 
Width: 61,65 mm 
Hight:62,37 mm 
Weight: 63,40 g 

Fake Deutsche Kreuz in Gold, maker "20" (ZIMMERMANN, PFORZHEIM) 

 

Deutsche Kreuz in Gold, no maker BUT with the characteristics of Steinhauer & Lück. 
Width: 63,60 mm 
Height: 63,50 mm 
Weight: 52,43 gr. 
Steinhauer & Lück's DK tooling did indeed survive the war. Postwar copies are found in several forms. Poor enamelling is a good indicator of the postwar fakes, though on some it is pretty well done. Another point to look for is the finish on the black inner star which looks more like chemically "blued" than the black finish you find on originals.

Below are are a set of pictures for a fake case.  Take a good look at the LDO mark.

Below are pictures of a fake cloth. 

 

 

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