Swords: Gold & Silver

This is a perfect example of a recipient receiving two different classes of different Orders while his rank was the same for both:

This man was a Captain when he was decorated.

First is a Saxe Ernestine House Order Knight 1st Class with Swords (gold). That class was given to Captains. Knights 2nd (silver swords) were given to Lieutenants.

So is the second ribbon, with real silver swords, for the Saxe Weimar Order of the White Falcon from when he was a Lieutenant?

Nope.


Saxe Weimar gave White Falcons in Knight 2nd Class up to and including Captains. THEY gave Knights 1st Class (gold swords) to MAJORS...


while the three Duchies jointly bestowing Ernestines gave COMMANDER 2nd Class neck grades of THEIR Order to Majors.

Simply different common practice from one state's awards to another's.

Courtesy of Deruelle.