Brian R

My EK1s... Cased WS Cased CD 800 Two cased G (one engraved, one with original carton) Cased 938 Cased 800 (engraved) Cased KMST (pinback)

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I'm looking for help with the following bar... Iron Cross 2nd Class 1914 1914-1918 Honor Cross with Swords Red Eagle Order 4th Class Turkish War Medal (Gallipoli Star) Turkish Osmanie Order While this is a mid-thirties bar, I am trying to get a better understand as to how the Turkish wards were won during the war. What, specifically, would a German officer have to do when serving with the Turks to win these awards - most notably, the Osmanie Order? In what branch of service did this bar's owner most likely serve? Also of interest is the catch assembly on the reverse of this bar - I've never seen anything like it. Thanks in advance. Brian

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Rick- Just in case you need more (you saw this a long time ago)...

Les- You have a good point, however the unusual pin catch assemblies add to the evidence. It's not just a case of initials. I'd be curious to see the reverse of badges made by K?nigliches M?nzamt Stettin etc. Mike and Greg- I agree... the rarity is the greatest factor in the desirability of KMST crosses amongst collectors, I just figured I'd put the War Ministry question out there for fun (although I still think it could be a slight factor). And, I totally agree on the following... "PS: my remark above re the price rise of the KM EK2s was more flippant than anything else (give a greedy dealer an inch.....). I see no real reason for them to rise above what they are selling for now, as they are not easy to find anyway."

Here he is with the rest of his family...

Here is an interesting portrait of a WWI vet serving as a Luftwaffe Unteroffizier. He wears the 1914 EK2, Marinekorps Flandern Cross, 1914-1918 Honor Cross, West Wall medal, and WWI black wound badge. It is interesting to see the Marinekorps Flandern cross worn so late - no earlier than 1940.

Mike- Great collection!! I live in Brooklyn. Where is that Antique shop anyway? Brian

I agree that the cross looks good - kinda looks like this one I used to own (as part of a 5 piece bar)...

Great investigative work Daniel! While I agree that the KM EK2s may go up up in price based on this revelation, I wonder if the KM EK1s will be as desirable as before. Although they are still scarce, will the K?nigliches M?nzamt Stuttgart EK1 be as valuable as the Kriegs Ministerium Standesamt in Berlin EK1? I was always under the impression that part of the appeal of these crosses was that, not only were they uncommon, well made and that they generally included a variety of pin/catch assemblies, they were believed to be made by the War Ministry, and not just a random maker. There seems to be a bit of romanticism related to the Imperial government. Obviously, I could be wrong but it's just a thought.

Another image of the lot...

I found some of the info I had, however, I still can't find it all. The seller on ebay had split up the whole group. Here's some of the description that had been listed... Aus dem Nachlass des Grossherzoglichen Badischen Geheimen Oberregierungsrats und Ministerialdirktors im Ministerium des Innern Otto Braun 1852 - 1906 Stationen: 1878 Amtmann in Pforzheim 1884 Amtsvorstand in Adelsheim 1885 Oberamtmann in Buchen 1889 Oberamtmann in Karlsruhe 1891 Ministerialrat im Ministerium des Innern 1892 Vorsitzender des Gewerbeschulrats 1898 Geheimer Oberregierungsrat 1899 Landeskommissar f?r die Kreise Karlsruhe und Baden 1900 Mitglied des Kompetenzgerichtshofs 1906 Ministerialdirektor im Ministerium des Innern unter Minister Dr. Schenkel

Christophe - Nice bars!! I also have an OZL with oakleaves mini to share... an interesting mix of an EK, OZL and Waldeck Verdienstkreuz. I'm pretty sure this belonged to a senior Baden official by the name of Otto Braun. This piece, along with the lapel bow (that also includes an Honor cross), were sold in separate groups on ebay a while back. I had more info on the man and the group but have, unfortuunately, lost it. Can anyone help with tracking down his career? Was he alive after 1934? Thanks, Brian

Rick- In regards to the W?rttemberg Wilhelmskreuz, was it awarded with and without swords on an inconsistent basis? Please take a look at the bar below - could this have been a "with swords" award with a noncom EK2 or were these swords erroneously added to this bar?

Nice pieces, guys!! Here is my example to share... Frack bars are always interesting but I especially enjoy this one in that the wearer still wore his Albert Order ahead of the EK2 after 1934. A Real Saxon...

Here's a mounted version...

Wow!!! Do you think the manfacturer made two different types (given the different mounting systems and different leaf designs)? Or, do you think they made one type and were also in the business of selling theirs as well as those made by other manufacturers?

And while we're at it, he's one of my favorite bars - to a Baden doctor of the Franco-Prussian War who won the combatant's version of the 1870 EK2. (also, this is to celebrate... these are my first posts on this forum - glad to be here!!!)

Another example to add... A 1897 Centennial Medal awarded to a nurse of the Franco Prussian War (I have her Cent. doc as well as her KDM doc)