Claudius

I agree with Frank. The fakers put a lot effort to make this fake as clean as they could and I wouldn't want to educate them. However, if there is minor "tell" that could be shared that would be helpful to the collector, but not the the faker; that would be informative. I wouldn't want to pass on something truly valuable, only something that can be useful when visiting the tables at a show.

It's not a regulation limitation. I had thought it was just a limitation of how many battles a unit could have partaken in that would limit the number of bars a gent could earn. Insofar as that, I was mistaken on the seven number. A quick look at this matrix and I see there are two Army Corps that units within and could have a possible eight bars.

I found two of these books for sale on one website for over $300 and three on another website for over $550. Pardon my naïveté, but why is it so expensive? Is this still the best source for 1813, 1870 and 1914 EKs? Aren't there other, more modern publications that have even better, higher-quality photos?

WOW! I thought it was only possible to get seven. But somehow he must have "been there" and got that eighth bar. Don't misunderstand me....I think the photo and the eight bars are legit. I just don't know what combination he was able to string together. I do wish I could read those spange.

hmmm, I don't think it would garner a name directly, but another approach is the artist himself. You mentioned that the painting is signed and dated. Some artists are known well enough that there are details about who they were and WHERE they did most of their commissioned work. Some have catalog of their known pieces. But this pursuit would be through a different venue, perhaps a forum on 19th century painters (if there is one). They do this sort of thing on the Antiques Roadshow. The artist might be someone that is known in the art collecting community.

Nassau; Silver Military Merit Medal, 1st model 1807-1818 I can see how this is a good candidate. I looked at the Imp.Rus. Capture of Paris, but two things dissuaded me; the ribbon colors and the öse size represented in the painting.

This medal bar has so many wonderful things about it. I could stare at it for a long time and not get tired of it. The Lifesaving medal....the Lippe House Order (with Swords on the Ring!)... the Bremen and the Saxe-Weimer cross!! All together on one bar. Bravo! Sorry for getting all gushy about this bar.

The famous pilot/ace/PLM-winner spelled his name with umlauts. Without them, it is entirely a different name and individual. There is no possible way that the engraver from 1917 would have not used them. It wouldn't be his name. Baumer would be a different individual. It would be like spelling my name as "Claudio". Without a good look at the "G", I'm not sure that is even that is authentic. From the reverse, Godet EK1s have amazing symmetry and cutouts that I can't reconcile here.

the book "Above The Lines" by Franks, Bailey & Guest has Baümer, but their book "Jasta Pilots" has Bäumer. ?

Hmmmmm, the list of Jasta pilots are relatively complete and I can't find a match for a Vzfw. P. Baumer. There is the famous Ace, GMMC and PLM winner Ltn. Paul Baümer. The photos are still blurry to me, are there umlauts?

Hello Peter; Thanks for posting this. I've looked at the photos, but they are a bit foggy. I know it's hard to get the camera to focus on a subject that is multiple depths, but try to isolate the layers and take some really good shots. Especially of the inscription. Honestly, I couldn't read the last name or get a good sense of the engraving style. Also please do a zoom of the "G" on the pin. I think that will be very telling as well. I will say upfront that I'm not really excited about this badge. But I did want to see some clear photos before I make up my mind and others here would like a good look as well. Thanks,

I haven't seen something like this in a very long time. Can we see the reverse too. What is the speculation of what kind of position someone had who had this bar. Not straight military. A Brunswick court person who was at Franco-Prussian war battles (as an observer?). I don't have my H&S book handy....how does someone earn those first two awards?

It's a very bad photo of the bar, but even from what I can see, I don't recognize the campaign script.

Like most of us Imperial German collectors, I have "a couple of" EK1s (throat clear). I have "K.A.G.", a "K" and silver content marked "800" and unmarked ones, but I don't recall another "WS" marked cross. Thank you again for the information!

Thank you saschaw! I did look again at the back of the EK1, I don't know how I missed it before but down by the clasp I found a small "WS". I presume that is the maker mark and the "v" as you said, is the craftsman's mark or silver purity.

I was just about to comment about that also. How can a faker be so careful and precise but make this mistake. I know I don't have the only copy of Werlich.

Hello; Does anyone have any information on the Bavarian Luftfahreverband group? When were they active? How many members? Is there a list of members? Photos from gatherings? Thanks,

Thank you Andreas! It is all very informative. Can I accurately assume that Studentika refers to students with the ages of 18-24 years old? Or could it be older adults that have returned to earn a University degree?

An unofficial medal. Starhemberg Vogel Heimwehr Medal 1934. Awarded to members of the Heimwehr Austrian Home Defense Force who participated in the suppression of the Communist in Vienna in February of 1934.

This is all very interesting! Just as you mentioned, the lining is silver; on the sash, ribbon (Bierzipfel) and mini (Weinzipfel).

I found this maker mark under the pin, near the hinge. Is anyone familiar with the "v" maker mark? Who is known for that mark? What is known about the manufacturer? Thank you in advance

Thank you Dave! The mystery continues...how did the family acquire it.

I can't be sure about the city. It is attributed to a Bavarian. It came with this medal bar, award documents and these mini ribbons. In 1934 he was in Tönning in Schleswig -Holstein. But i can't find a good match for Rudolf Kiessler in the online Bavarian records. The "sash" ribbon is over 130cm long. (That's over 4' 3'' to us Yanks) I call it a sash ribbon because I could wear it like a sash. I'm over 6ft and it comfortable on me. The single button and slot at the ends makes it easy to loop and unloop. If it is a university, why did they make mini ribbons like his wartime award ribbons? And what would the regular width ribbon be for? Is there a medal?

I can see that. Although, it is really odd how it comes in three sizes; 1) mini-ribbon size 2) regular ribbon size (like if there was a medal) 3) Sash length, the example here is long enough to go across a body (sash-style) and there is a button on one end with a slot hole on the other, to attach them together.

Daniel; I didn't thank you earlier, and I can't thank you enough! And you identified it so quickly! What German rank is "half-colonel"? Glenn; Thank you for the photo! That is great! It's that kind of detail that I was looking for. Now I'm interested in FAR 183 and where they operated and what actions they were involved in. Gentlemen, again, my great appreciation for your contributions! Best, Claudius