Schwyz

Rohleder, I too like the Saxon style ribbon; they seem to be the hardest to find. I especially like your mother's mini set … very envious. Gar

Hello Chris, Thanks for posting this information. The Ehrenkreuz has always fascinated me. I have Ehrekreuz certificates for Toronto, Canada, New York City, USA and Madrid, Spain and I would sure like to add this one to my collection! Hint, hint! Others are known for England, Norway, Sweden, Bern, Switzerland and Columbia, South America and I'm sure there must be other locations as well. Cheers, Gary

'SAXCOB' und 'IRISH GUNNER' Vielen Dank für Ihre schnelle Antwort und sehr hilfsbereit zur Verfigung. Sehr zu schätzen. MfG, Gar

Hallo, Habe gerade erwirbt den ersten Krieg Artefact, auf dem angegben ist, "K.u.K. Inf.Regt. Nr. 98" Was bedeutet der Begriff "K.u.K." das? Danke

How nice to see an old friend – and still with the original ribbons! I once owned the Carl Dieck group, 25+ years ago. The disposal of my KGL collection at auction (Christie's) was, at the time the most sensible thing to do (so I thought) and I did VERY well. I had come to the conclusion at that time, with the increasing prices for KGL material, that I would no longer be able to afford further purchases. To this day I look back on my decision with regret – I wish I had just put the entire collection in my SDB and left it there. Chances are that I would have still continued to add to a collection that is fondly remembered above all others. This group alone made £3740. and I shudder to think of what it would fetch today – as a retiree I definitely wouldn't be able to justify the expense now! A couple of comments – — the Hannoverian (KGL) Medal originally came to me (and left) with the ribbon the correct way – it has been changed around perhaps by someone who prefers it this way, perhaps because of the specific KGL inscription on the reverse, or by someone who does not realize the correct method of wear – happily, the ribbon can easily be re-positioned. — the Guelphic Medal named to Dieck was presented to him while he was in the Jaeger Garde battalion. After Napoleon's first defeat in 1814, many Senior NCOs were sent back to Hannover to help train the re-constituted Hannoverian army – these NCO's remained in Hannoverian service and did not return to the KGL for the final campaign when Napoleon escaped – Dieck could have been one of these men. If not, then after Napoleon's final defeat at Waterloo, the KGL were Stuck off Strength (SOS) of the British Army and the battalions returned to Hannover, many men enlisting in Hannoverian service. Given that his award was presented in 1818, this explains the naming on this medal. Unfortunately, the Citation for Dieck's award which would have specifically mentioned his deed(s) has not survived – very few have. If memory serves, the only Citations to have survived are the 83 mentioned in Beamish's two volume 1832-37 (?) history of the KGL, probably the rarest Napoleonic British regimental history – now happily reprinted and available. Further information may be available from The Guelphic Archives in Hannover, but access to the Archives was tightly controlled (1980s) and might still be only available to scholarly researchers (i.e. not collectors). Don't quote me on this because it has been too many years since I have been in Hannover. Another interesting museum well worth a visit is The Bomann Museum in Celle, a few km north of Hannover. The museum has many KGL items, but the main displays are MANY original uniforms of the different battalions which were preserved by Dr. Bomann back in the 1840s and 50s (if memory serves, again). When I visited back in the late 1980s it was very overwhelming. Cheers, Gar

Asking a question about German language Medal Magazines — "ORDEN, MILITARIA, MAGAZIN" or "ORDEN UND EHREN ZEICHEN", I am interested to learn if any articles have ever appeared in these magazines which detail specific information about the Ehrenkreuz (the common Honour Cross or Hindenburg Cross). in any specific issue ? If anyone knows of a specific issue containing such an article in these, or any other magazine, German or otherwise, I would be grateful if you would pass the issue Number on to me so that I could attempt to purchase a copy(s). Cheers, Gary

Have seen the English version listed on eBay for 149,90 Euro + shipping of course, but have not ordered my copy yet.

I couldn't agree more with Chris's point of view. I believe if you are truly interested in and committed to research, each new effort advances the knowledge base just a little further and therefore this new work will in all probability be 'required' reading. Gary

I think the 'base metal' theory is probable in my case, because some of the overcoating seems to be applied too thinly. The integral ring is also base metal, while the ribbon ring is a regular type and colour. What about the thickness of this Cross compared with the normal issued ones (1.4mm vs. 2.17mm) — it is not as well made either, which might be explained by post 1942 manufacturing priorities — anyone with comments? Gar

Hallo Sergio, I too have one of these Crosses — mine is without swords. The finish looks just like yours, but is unmounted. It is non-magnetic of course, with no maker mark. I really never knew what to think about it — genuine or fake? The arms of a normal Cross are about 1.4mm thick, while the arm of this zinc cross is 2.17mm thick. MfG, Gar Here are scans of front & back.

Chris, The 9th CMR (from Lloydminster, Saskatchewan) was broken up (date unknown by me, but probably shortly after arrival in the UK) to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. Perhaps many of those men found their way into the 19th Battalion (which was a Toronto Battalion). Cheers, Gary

Chris, Those are truly beautiful documents that are certainly worth collecting. And you are correct — so many of the 'normal' EK documents are visually boring in comparison. Gar

Chris … Here is one of my little gems … issued in Montreal, Canada to a Veteran living in Toronto, Ontario.

Hallo Lambert, Probst's Urkunde is a nice one, especially with a 1940 date. The latest date I have is 17 Jul 1940. I have noticed that for many of 'your men' you have given a small biography or personal history. Have these certificates come to you with this information or have you researched each man? If so, how are you researching — Ancestry, or ? Just curious because I would like to do this also. It always adds so much more to an object. Cheers, Gar

Here is a photo of my large Cross. About 197 mm x 197 mm (7 3/4" x 7 3/4") and 2 KG. I have it framed to hang on the wall. I believe these were used on large memorials to the war. Gar