Claudius

One last consideration might be a magnifier with a built-in light. So many time the ambient light is somewhat lacking and my eyes aren't as sharp as they once were.

wait a minute Chris. By suggesting this is "not rare" you are commenting that this is a "common" combination. However, lets read this ribbon bar again from what is here and what isn't. This gentleman served in WWI and earned the Hindenburg non-combatant, and not the EK2 (1914). Then WWII started and he earned BOTH the KVK2 WITH SWORDS and then an EK2(1939). So, from a non-combatant in WWI with no awards to a decorated combatant in WWII. (usually, its the other way around) I think that's kindof uncommon. No problem Wessel. I can't speak for everyone, but as collectors we certainly can start collecting things that attract our attention. And then we start researching and learning more where we gain a direction. Please feel free to post what items you collected thus far. If you have a specific question -this forum is the place to ask.

Well that's a shame. I came to this thread late and missed the show. Any chance for a curtain call?

Thank you. Very informative!

Hello; Can someone tell me the criteria for this Order to be awarded? What merit/service/action would occur to earn the Order of Leopold? What do the regulations on it's issuing say? Specifically, I am wondering; 1) for the military class, 2) awarded to a uniformed foreigner (military personnel). 3) Time period; somewhere from 1860 to 1918. Could it be for; As a military liaison? a Royal Court visit? Recognized service to the country of Belgium? Rescued a Belgium citizen from fire or drowning?

Great photo. And very poignant knowing where they were going. A two month stint -but I suspect that many stayed there.

This appears to be a colorized photo. The medal bar is straight forward enough and they got the ribbon color correct too. from L-R; 1) Order of St. Anne w/o swords 3rd class 2) Order of St. Stanislaus w/o swords 3rd class 3) Commemorative for 300 years of Romanov dynasty The badges and pins will take a little more examination, maybe a close up too. The badge on his right pocket; After examining it closer, I think it might be for the Technical Institute of Peter the Great. The color should be bronze gilt, however I don't know if it also came in silver.

wonderful groups! Great way to display them.

Great group! Wow! With the Tamara. I wish Rick was still alive to see this. He would have loved it.

I've been carefully looking at the ribbon wrappings, the medal mounting and overlapping. I think the photo in post 17 and the same medal bar in post 22 are same, however Laurentius is correct about the campaign spanges. They have been moved. The only explanation I can think of is that they were realigned sometime after the photo was taken. Either by the Looff, his tailor or more likely by a collector who thought they were not symmetrical over the China medal.

That is a really nice group! That is bravery that I can really respect. Chris, your bravery is the kind I can personally understand. I luv the documents. Is that a wound badge for actions in WWII?

Recipient was Hauptman or higher in rank, Army. Little or no pre-WWI service. Recognized for wartime service by Bulgaria. Likely mustered out after the war and had his medal put together on the bar after 1934. Great bar!

If anyone cares, the badge below the EK1 looks like the Kolonialabzeichen "Elephant" Order.

An excellent series of photos on the subject. Thank you for assembling them here for us all to enjoy.

I think you have some fuzz stuck in the left MM. Perhaps it is covering an "800" stamp?

Hmmmm...straightaway there is one that I can think of, but looking at the bar I don't see any other affiliations with Schwarzburg. I want to believe this ribbon bar, but I don't understand it (the awards, the ordering, the construction).

x-ray vision

While I can appreciate that you want to understand for your knowledge's sake and for going forward when you examine other badges you find but I don't want to provide an online, pinpoint tutorial on how to identify "tells" for the fakers to make improvements. This has occurred where the fakers have adjusted their construction. These upgraded fakes look a lot better than the old fakes. There are some great books out on imperial flight badges with the details on the multiple makers and their distinctive styles. I can PM the list if you are interested.

What do you mean by atypical lower berry? Can you show us a typical one? -What I meant was that the lower berry in the landscape area is not found where this berry is found on most period badges. And on the badges that the lower berry is there, they have completely different overall constructions. That back attachment is highly unusual. Even when they did a screw back version the screw would be attached to the badge, not the badge as the "nut". I attached a thread that will show two cliché' type badges for comparison purposes. The photos have a terrible yellow cast but the details are there. (scroll past the Bav. badge to post #23)

Sure, 1) I can't see the crown area very well, but there appears to be excess material around the ball and cross. 2) Strange filings on the tops of the crown's left fringe (leading to the ball and cross) 3) The airplane and landscape have course details. 4) The lower berry on the left side wreath is atypical. Can you show us the reverse please?

a suspect one to be exact.

ah, yes...I made the correction. (must be the sticky fingers from eating all this Halloween candy)

I believe the official name for this award would be; Albrechtsorden Bruststern zum Komturkreuz mit Schwertern am Ring

Yes, but I don't understand the connection to the GIF.