Claudius

Yes I do. It makes a wonderful comparison to my other cliche pilot badge. Considering its construction/quality, I estimate that it is an early war or maybe prewar made. I look back at this post and think how terrible the lighting was and I should have given this study of two different badges its own thread. I may have to rectify this. The square punch hallmark badge is not fairly represented. It has a high shine surface and is really well made...for a cliche'. I believe it is a good, period. The provenance is very long, prior to 1980.

Thank you posting my photo OvBacon. When I originally tried to attach the photo it posted in this odd way. I don't know why. Then I tried adding it as a TIFF file and that went poorly too. Hello Trooper D; Yes, I was a spectator to this decision, however I wasn't going to refuse items off it on principle. I didn't have a lot of money back then, and the pilot badge was a lot of my budget. I think I've seen more "hate" belts (I've never liked this name, but it was widely used in the collecting community) in the past. I think it is a collecting field with some collectors.

It is a bold statement, however I have looked at a lot of belts over the decades and I still think that this one is the best one. I found my Kodak photos of this belt. As you can see, it was photographed in sections to archive the belt. I have to state, that this was before the internet or digital cameras and the photos were taken and processed with developer and fixer. The second-last owner of the belt wanted to document the belt and ultimately I received the photos. This will be the first time this belt will be shown (unless the negatives are out there somewhere). As you can see, its more of a piece of folk art than just a haphazard collection of uniform bits. The original owner appears to have carefully selected each piece and where to arrange it. Starting with his choice of a double wide belt. Note the use of all three, black, silver and gold wound badges. The EK2, Centennial medal and coins all had metal tags soldered on to affix them to the belt. From feldmutzes and shoulder tabs he add the metal; death's head, train and guards along with several unit cyphers. And you can't miss the cliche-style pilot's badge. The "artist" then signed and dated his work, again using metal unit insignia. I've had decades to contemplate this pice and I've wondered what assignment the original owner had that gave him access to this wide variety of pieces. Two come to mind; POW camp guard or Graves Registration. I was a close friend to the persons who bought it directly from the dealer when it walked through the door. For good or ill, the belt was disassembled and I was offered pieces from it. I purchased several of the items. Notability, what I didn't buy was the helmet plate and the train insignia. I even have the empty leather belt.wwi souvenir belt -TIFF.tiff wwi souvenir belt3.jp2

Looks great! I really like the direction you are taking. Are those boards "finished". if so, maybe refinishing them with a FLAT finish will cut down the glare. Either that, or use a diffuser on your light source.

My condolences to Tim Eriksen's family. The first time we meet at a military show when he overheard my conversation with a dealer. I was just budding my knowledge in the Orders and was looking to fill the missing award on a medal bar. When the dealer couldn't help me, Tim jumped into action and ascertained the correct Saxon Civil Merit Cross. After exchanging information and payment, Tim located and sent me the Cross. Friendly, professional and above all, helpful. I'm sad that I will have no chance to see him again.

Very nice. Can we get a clear close-up of the badge? Although the badge is very unique, I was noticing the watch! I wonder what model it is?

Magnifique!

"I collect Air Force ribbon bars. " -YES you do!! Great collection of identified Luftwaffe bars with WWI (and earlier) service. And these are just the ones with a Saxon connection?

Wonderful bar!! And congratulations on the identification!

or, the 14-15 Star to a 36th Sikh would enhance a Tsingtao collection. Like mine! ...just kidding. I'm just collecting german/axis groups who were in Tsingtao during the siege. But I am keeping an eye out for a Japanese group who fought there.

Wonderful bar Claudio! But I especially like that you have the gentleman's significant career dates with battle history and award dates. I sympathize with the "Qualifikations-Bericht". I don't know what it is suppose to communicate. It almost looks like a letter...to outline his qualifications to the promotions personnel? Might have to send those pages to a devoted Sutterlin translator.

That's a GREAT photo!

BRAVO!! Fantastic and wonderful to put a name AND photo to the bar!

Outstanding work. Does this also mean that you know what the yellow ribbons are?

TWO Saxe-Ernistine House-Orders on one bar!! Wow! And congratulations on finding the original picture. If you ever want to sell both the bar and the picture I would be glad to buy it.

This is an interesting hanger for the miniatures. How is that slit used to attach the hanger to a uniform or dress coat?

Do you have ANY details on him? What branch of service? Where he was born?

magnificent!

What I think is really interesting is his first award (after the Centennial). Wichard must have been recognized as a rising star. Leutnant in 1893, Oberleutnant in 1900, makes Hauptman in 1907 and in October of that year recieves the Schamburg-Lippe House Order 3K! The Siam award comes soon after. In 1909 he picks up the Prussian Red Eagle 4K with Crown! He is being recognized by some influential people. I hope there is a photo of him.

What is number 6?

Over the decades I have occasionally seen this wonderful medal come up for sale. But always alone. ixhs: What else was mounted with the Atlantic Meteor medal? Thanks for showing it Uwe!

Wow, what a nice group! Congratulations on obtaining the missing sleeve badge!

yeah, that happens