Claudius

Rudi that is an outstanding group! Medalbar, ribbon bar, throat award and loose medals/awards. I can understand why you didn't forget it when you first saw it. I really like the German document for the Halbmond (entry #16) I don't see those too often, the Turkish document is very nice too. I also really like the breakout of his service. Is that from his Militarpass?

Are the Lübeck rolls finished? Who has them for sale?

Hello; I found a dealer selling a medal identified as the 1913 Balkan War medal, however the design on the obverse and reverse looks exactly like medals identified as the Patriotic medal. Which identification is correct? Or if there are differences, what are they?

Thank you Harvey and KIR. Yes, that would be very appropriate on the tomb stone. I still can't get over how young he was when he died (48 1/2 years). I suppose a traumatic illness is as likely as an equine accident.

Thank you Uwe! This is very illuminating. So, this was a gift to Heinrich Würzburg from the fraternity, or from a fellow fraternity member? Location of university -unfortunately I don't know where he went to university. The only clue I have is that Heinrich Würzburg was from Ruess, Schloss Ernstbrunn. Thank you for the links. Those were very helpful.

Full reverse.

Fully obverse

reverse. Anyone recognize this monogram?

Can anyone fully understand this inscription? It looks like an Easter gift from 1909?, but I'm not sure I understand the rest of it.

Here is his tombstone... I can't read the bottom part that is partially obscured by foliage.

I agree with W McSiggan and Paul C. I can understand reproducing a specific person's medal group, only the mount should use modern repro ribbons and construction materials.

Bob; This is an exquisite, wonderful little set of awards! A great pick-up of minis. Remarkable detail for each and nice maker marks on the one-sided pieces. As for ID, I don't think the gnomes have enough to work on to narrow it down. But I hope they can. Otherwise it would be a shame to lose the name of the owner of this magnificent string.

Hello Timo; I'm not one of the Baden experts but I've owned one of these medals in the past. Two things on the period-made pieces, the medal itself is heavy, quite dense. Secondly, the relief on the wreath is outstanding. You have the medal in your hands....does it have a good heft? Are the details on the leaves good? They look good. I think you have a good one. I can't be so sure about the clasp.

wonderful looking little jewel. Can you tell us what it was mainly awarded for?

Alright, to summarize then.. DSWA Bronze = Combantant (served in DSWA) Steel = Non-Combantant(served in DSWA) or Stay-at-home China DM Bronze = Combantant or non-combantant (served in China) Steel = Stay-at-home ------------------------------------------------- My question now is, Just how did an individual EARN a DSWA or China if you didn't go anywhere near there? What was the criteria?

I thought the steel were for non-combatants, like medical. I know the Imperial Russians used a system that indicated the level of service at the time of the conflict (Silver, Dark Bronze and Light Bronze), but I didn't know the China or DSWA medals were like that. Can someone explain the official award criteria used for the gilt and silver medals?

I don't fully understand your question and statement. Please explain.

That's right. If I had to weigh in one direction or the other I would say the Prussian Military Decoration. This gent was in the service in 1897 to get the Centennial, went overseas to China and DSWA and also picked up a Red Eagle order. That is a lot of PRE-wwi service. When WWI did break out this gent was in his middle 30's, likely an NCO or a low ranking officer. Although no long service decoration. Others can opine on what the lack of a LS award could mean in this instance. Nice ribbon bar!

Another example... http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/37240-wgmmm-wlubeck-4-medal-bar/page__p__346810__hl__gmmm__fromsearch__1#entry346810

Am I mistaken or did the center medallion rotate? A great order from 150 years ago. Nice pick up! :cheers:

That's right. Your grandfather's ribbons would be dark. Very dark. In fact the only thing that would fluoresce would be the "modern" lint that rested on it. It is not a fool-proof way to detect fraudulent ribbon bar or medal bar construction because the would-be fakers have ways to compensate for this "tell". But it can be an important test.

An excellent point. It for this very reason that Imperial German medal collectors will talk of "Original Issue", "Period-Made" and "Spangenstück" "after war issue" etc. It makes a difference, however all may be "real" there are just valued differently. The Wurttemberg GMMM issue medals in .333 gold has a value well over $1,000, however the Spangenstück made for the medal bar is not precious medal and is valued much less. An opposite example is the Prussian or Bavarian Pilot badges. The wartime issued cliché ones sell for a fraction of the post-war Junker or Poellath made ones. Your issued medals are original. The medals you buy online are original. Your issued medals are attributed to someone (you). The ones you buy online are not. If you buy extra medals to wear on a second suit or uniform they become attributed to you. Years from now if your family sells your possessions, a collector could buy your group of medals. He would display your original issue medals and your extra set. Both sets would be attributed to you. To your other point; Your mother's print of the Flemish master is a copy. It is beautiful and depicts the image as well (or better) than the original, but it is still a copy. Another copy can be created. There is only one that the painter made. Even if he tried to paint two identical portraits, it would be impossible not to have some subtle differences. Like any other copy of an art piece, even if it is executed in the same perfect style, the copy will not command the same price as the original. Originals represent the moment in time that they were created and uphold the truth of the piece. Both the pluses and the minuses.

It's "caveat emptor" then? Is that OK with food we eat? -A restaurant doesn't have to prepare the food in a clean environment? Stocks or mutual funds we invest in? -A company doesn't have use generally accepted accounting rules? Medicines we rely on? -manufacturers don't have to declare possible, serious side-affects?