saschaw

My biggest problem with this cross. I cannot imagine a German engraver could have done this mistake. A non-German would do it...

Must be a wearers' copy. There was no such grade of a "Small Silvber merit medal". The bar looks fine, though he actually should only wear one DA. A ofte seen mistake.

Lovely bar! But how are chances the long service cross is replaced? The bar would be textbook Bavarian pre-WW1 Hauptmann or Major if it were a cross for 24 years. The combination as is - extremely odd. I do not like it, while all awards and the bar look pretty fine. The MVO is by Leser, isn't it? And marks are "980" and "J.L."?

Sadly it is right Mr. Beyreiß died in June. I see as well a bar with probably RAO4, KO3, OV3 and ÖEK3... but definitely not a Godet bar. To find the wearer might be possible, but difficult.

Nice bar but extremely unlikely to be his.

This isn't the cross pinpon590 posted, is it? However lovely... and it'd be great to see it here complete, to, for those who are not on facebook. By the way, do I see a maker mark ???

Lovely, and probably from the ca. 1820s. To be acurate, it is not a "Knight's cross 1st class" but rather a "knight's cross", as there was no "knight's cross 2nd" class insituted up to 1866. Go for it! :cheers:

Well, that's just guesses. It might well be, but it might as wel be different. Rick, who was a real master in these matters, is unfortunally offline.

Nice bar, and all is said regarding the Bulgarian medal. I think it might well be a pre-WW1 issue due to the peace time ribbon. They were given to EMs or NCOs. Some people say Ferdinand gave them mostly to cute looking guys... Something to add about the 3rd Reich award - that is not 25 years in the NS party, but 25 years in German state service. Given to officials, teachers, workers in state service and so on. 25 years in NSDAP (1920 to 1945) is somewhat scarcer. :cheeky:

If you need a really nice Kyffhäuserbund medal, just send me a PM... (but, I'm away till friday and won't have internet)

Prussian military long service awards were never enemaled. From 1825 to 1914, this cross was awarded to officers only. Just from 1914 on up to 1920, it was also awarded to lower ranks. Due to the missing of enemaled orders this might well be a ex-NCO's bar, and with the Kiel maker tag likely a navy guy.

Niiiiiice! A neck cross, isn't it?

Actually, they had to be bronze. Gilt ones are private purchases or upgrades.

Modern? I think both the medal bar as the ribbon to be war time, with yet some WW1 awards missing on the ribbon bar. This set should be traceable, of course.

Nice bar, but pity they were split up. For identification keep in mind the peace time awards and that the BMV4Kr one your bar actually is a BMV4XKr, using wrong ribbon. I am sure these two bars belong together.

The bar might be good but the EK is a type I'd never buy. Niemann had it as "fake of the week" at some point, so...

Nice bar(s) to a civilian and ex-sildier.

Interessting group that I have seen before. Must be an unique combination with no Baden merit medal for someone apparently in a Baden unit - to win a Saxon-Weimar merit medal... Really nice!

Thanks Daniel! Thought they would have received them, but it makes pretty sense. So this must be (I agree with you it just screams) a Zahlmeister's ca. 1913 bar: New style long service award. In 1914 he probably would have received the XXV cross, as soon as he was allowed to. Now just to check the rank lists for a guy with KO4, AEZ, HP4X... :whistle:

The Bavarian medal is mounted on a not-matching ribbon, though I tend to like the bar. If it indeed is good, it's an unique combination for sure.

Yes, that's what I said. Any Württemberg Reserve/Landwehr long service award 1st class is rare as hens teath, especially the cross issued up to 1891. I guess you see this about twice in a collector's life, while the following cross is pretty common - to be seen about ten times in the same time. :whistle:

I like it pretty much! Scarce combination... Used to be one of Paul Cs. Will try to find the discussion on it.

Why enlisted man? LD2s were given to officers, too. Nice one!

Heiko, except for the design, these two medals are entirely different, given to totally different persons for toatlly different reasons - don't forget, the Militär-Ehrenzeichen was a war award only, while Kriegerverdienstmedaillen were as well awarded as peace time awards, just as Red Eagle or Crown order medals. But I know what you mean... Keep your eyes open and I'm sure you will see Russians, British and even French wearers of this medal. ;)

Very nice bar, I see nothing to worry about.