Tricks of the Light 03

This hefty Feldwebelleutnant is wearing a VERY interesting Old Style ribbon bar in the early days of the war.

1) General Decoration Medal (same ribbon as the Red Eagle Order)
2) Prussian IX Years Service BROOCH: dark blue with black edges. This was superceded in 1913 by the medals and cross on the same solid dark blue ribbon used on the two officers' long service awards and the Reserve-Landwehr Decoration 2nd Class. So this is an oddball, out of date bar!
3) China campaign Medal 1900-1901
4) 1897 Wilhelm I Centenary Medal

So thsi fellow was a 12 years career enlistment NCO who had left the military before the war, was called back up, and given "acting officer" warrant rank.

Notice how the DARK blue has been processed LIGHT, while the LIGHT lemon yellow of the China and Centenary medals comes out DARK.


Courtesy of Brian R.