Austria-Hungary Question about wearing the Milit?rverdienstkreuz (MVK)

[Djedj]

Bonjour,

I have observed something on XIXth century photographs (I'm talking 1860s) that I don't quite understand ; I don't get the whole picture and ...that's been bugging me !

- Some high-ranking officers appear on photographs wearing a whole rack of medals and orders ;

- While on other photographs (contemporary) the same officers are only wearing their MVK (KD).

Anyone can explain that to me ? Have I been dreaming ?

Thanks !

Jerome

[Guest Rick Research]

Tyhat is just a "fashion statement" where the reduced form of wear only shows the most IMPORTANT award(s) and the rest were simply omitted.

This was never anything official, simply a personal "style."

[Djedj]

Tyhat is just a "fashion statement" where the reduced form of wear only shows the most IMPORTANT award(s) and the rest were simply omitted.

This was never anything official, simply a personal "style."

Thanks Rick ;

Then I guess what they considered "Important" probably tells much about them :

I seem to recall an example where an officer, otherwise entitled to the Milit?r Maria-Theresien-Orden (!) , and the ?sterreichisch-kaiserlische Orden der eisernen Krone (with KD), on photos with only the MVK.

Did the MVK generate the same kind of "mystic" as the Iron Cross in Germany ?

Jerome