Claudius

I don't like it either.

Hello all: Soooo...is it sold? Is there a sale pending??? -Claudius

Quite sobering news.

I don't know how much you paid, but I don't think you overpaid for it. Very nice bar. Very nice photo. An excellent group together.

"tweet, tweet" nice little birdie. I'm familar with Schaper badges being marked on the pin? Does anyone know when/why you see Schaper badges with or without the pin markings? Thanks. I can't read the scratching on the back very well.

Hello, Thank you Majorbloodnok for finding Mrs. Paukstat. Antonious! I had not thought of that name. "Dr. Antonious Paukstat" I can understand that their are many in Germany. I had hoped that there was only one that could be traced to living in China in 1914. The reason for my inquiry: I am going to post pictures of a Tsingtau group I recently purchased. One item of the group is a telegram that the POW F?rstenberg received from his wife(?) and her doctor(?). As the telegram states, there are nine words. Here is the message, as recorded in english! Later I will post a photo of the actual telegram message on the Imperial Japanese Goverment Telegraphs stationery. Obviously F?rstenberg thought this message was very dear to him to have kept it for over 90 years. "quote" Prisoner Feldwebel fuerstenberg fukuoka Telegram received lucky hanna toni "unquote" I know that Mrs. F?rstenberg name was "Johanna", therefore I can imagine that she might have been called "Hanna" It was also reported Dr. Paukstat, Demkmalplatz was with her in Tientsin until the end of 1914. (Is this the "toni" in the telegram? or does he have a son?) At this time, Feldwebel F?stenberg was in the Japanese POW camp at Fukuoka. On March 22, 1918 he was transferred to Narashino POW camp and finally repatriated in December 1919. Before WWI Willy F?stenberg served as a NCO in the 1st company of the Matrosenartillerie-Abteilung Kiautschou. His ratings patches suggest he was the Feurwerker and the senior munitions handler for the company. After repatriation and the rise of the TR he served with them earning two long service medals. I don't know what, or with what unit. (That is going to be next line of questions in the TR research forum) -Claudius

I presume that "Dr." is "Herr Doktor". But is there any pre-war record of him? Awards? I can't state with certainty, but I think his family called him "Toni", short for Anthony. So...Dr. Anthony Paukstat. living in Tientsin, Demkmalplatz.

Forgive my ignorance...just a clarification but RAO said "like the little brother in silver" but the box in the photo is for a "Gold"? Is this a gold Verdienstkreuz in the photo? (The flash may make the gold look silverish). Or is it a silver with a box for a gold. Also, I don't understand "awarded mainly at railway"? Was this awarded to railway troops? Thanks for the education.

spot on nice :)

I paid the equilavent of 255 Euro over ten years ago (with excellent enamel). When I recently saw one for sale it was DOUBLE. But they are nice and look real good next to the Albert 2nd Klass. -Claudius

Of course! How coarse of me not to realize that's why the ribbon could look coarse. And I need to watch my spelling in due course. I thought the metal on the back looked too bright, not any age at all. But I'm comparing them to my immediate knowledge...and those must be the ones that had a tougher life. :o

Hessian Bravery Medal, and Broach-style (old fashion) Long Service medal. What roman number year is on the back? A bit "tuftied" in appearance, but otherwise it looks like a good bar.

All of the ribbon seems too clean and the weave is too course. And that medal back plate...I have seen bars that were hardly used that had more wear that metal. It looks like it was put together yesterday. I also think that the hindy is hanging too tight to the bar as well. The medals look correct. sorry to be blunt.

On the last Hohnhorst photo, do I see the faint outline of a wound badge? Did Hohnhorst get wounded in WWI or some earlier engagement? Nice Japanese Rising Sun(?) award on the end.

I think the thread on "Reference Books you should have" are excellent books. (see above in the Thread index) There are two or three other books, but these publications are what your friend will like.

Thank you Pavel and Veteran! If I may ask...how do you navigate through the russian language only webpages? Do you need to know enough russian to get by or is there a translation link I don't know about. Thank you, Claudius

Hello Veteran; si vous svp. o? est l'ench?re basel ? O? est Londres ench?re ? merci'

Hello Claudio; You make some excellent points. If indeed the Oldenburg Ehrenkreuz was replaced where a house order was, then someone was REALLY trying to change a rare ordensspange into a scare ordensspange. I would have thought the house order would have been enough to garner a high hammer price. I don't like to think that someone would remove an attractive and valuable order like the Peter Fredrick Ludwig Order just to "amaze" everyone with a rarer non-enameled cross. I agree with your thought regarding Godet bars and their tight medal attachment. The Oldenburg was looser just by how it hid behind another medal. Is there a way to research this bar "as presented" and one with the PFL order instead of the Ehrenkreuz? If successful, that may shed some light on this question. Thank you for your insights! I always learn something from your feedback.

I was torn between #47 and #49, but it was #49 I had my eye on. I thought that one was a beauty. Three german states represented and two enameled awards from central power's countries -very nice. Ultimately however my resources were divided elsewhere and insufficient for the win. Anyone from this forum get #49? That Oldenburg cross made it even rarer. And maybe identifiable? 25 year cross, but no other early medals? :unsure:

who was the seller? <<<rubbing hands>>> :jumping:

At least they are the "clip in" kind. For the two green ribbons; the Saxon Civil Merit m/S and the Albert m/S should do it nicely. Pity they wouldn't be orginal to the bar, but still very nice. The other is missing an Albert and a Saxe-Ernestine House order m/S. The Ernestine may be a little harder to find.

I checked my notes on a book I have, "War Flying in Macedonia" by Heydemark for any reference to Strey -none. That doesn't mean he wasn't there, only perhaps Heydemark personally didn't know enough of him to put him in his book. I have a document group to a pilot who flew in the Struma sector and I felt lucky just to have his name mentioned in the book. On the last page! In typical fashion of the day, when the plane he was in was forced down the injuries of the observer (an officer) were noted, but the sergeant/pilot -not a word. Because of this group I have a particular interest in this front. Your group sounds excellent and I would really like to see scans/photos of it! What items do you have? Since no one else listed this information, and at the risk of listing something everyone knows, I'll post some known facts here; Uffz Strey J25 Victories: 1. 11/3/17 Caudron NW Kenali 2. 18/3/17 EA Monastir ------------------------------------------

Interesting ordering. I would have thought the Siam medal would have been put last after the Hungarian. But maybe the owner thought it looked nice and wanted to move it up in the placement, but not in front of German awards (of course). Still, I would prize that one if it came across my nose...even with the addition of the medals later (but I would recognize how it decreases its desirability -just a bit)

Great bars! Thanks for showing them. Some of us couldn't make it to MAX But maybe next year. If anyone else bought anything...please post some photos.

Sorry. No pictures of the reverse. I wish I did have pictures of the reverse. And for the other medal I'm trying to identify.