Stogieman

Paul, the grey thread and stitching pattern looks consistent with a number of newly manufactured pieces coming out of Germany these past few years...

Like this:

Has it been played with at all? The Bavarian mini doesn't make sense mounted between the PCO3wX and SAO2wX. Note also we have RAO3wX, PCO3wX but no corresponding Colonial service medal. If the EK2 is a 1914 then where's the China/Africa medal(s)? Now, it's always possible he left off all campaign medals...... but the placement of the BMVO3(4?)mK still doesn't make sense...

Picture of the back please...

Awarded after the fact.... and here's how they picked them up:

I don't think there was a Saxon alive pre-1920 that would have mounted a medal bar like the second one.... Very, very discouraging for any collector, especially a new one, to be shopping these days.

Presidente Castro resigned. Now what will become of this tiny nation? http://www6.comcast.net/news/articles/gene...9/Fidel.Castro/

The dirt and stain on this bar makes me wonder if the last place ribbon is something other than what it appears. If you visualize this main color as white, a very dirty white, you now have what looks like the ribbon for a Saxon ZVO

Reverse

Another nice example to study:

I would agree that the fantasy piece was probably originally based on an authentic piece.... My guess is the cross shown by Prosper is most likely a memorial piece. Especially given the silver content/quality and most likely post-1945. Purely conjecture, but there it is.

Are you sure about that last ribbon??

I don't think so... looks like the normal "shadow" effect from the two-piece badge..

Not just a Bavarian Pilot Photo.... one of the best of the handful of images on this subject I've ever seen.....

I think this is the type of item, so exceptionally hard to find.... few folks even realize what it is. A rather stunning set, my compliments.

If he's a General.... why are all the awards exemplary of an enlisted man/NCO?

OK, that's very bizarre... I have never seen that message on eBarf before! It was this medal, boxed, with ribbon bar. Opening bid was $200 USD !!!!!!

So.... you really, really want one of these?! http://cgi.ebay.com/CUBA-ARACELIO-IGLESIAS...7QQcmdZViewItem I have nothing to do with this poor, misguided soul..... other than lots of chuckles when I saw the price!

.... AND........ note that non-combattant Anhalt FK2 in 2. place on the comparison bar!

That's not a double-strike. Simply excess material from the pressing/stamping of the core and this is a typical, period issue cross. This can be confirmed through any of the usual sources in Germany. Remember that quality control on issue 1870 EK2's was less than perfect. This can be exemplified by not only the excess iron from the stamping, but the rather phenomonal number of crosses out there that have the lower cross arm out of alignment.

Hey Evil One, show him the ultra-scarce silver device...

Nice bar, typical "South-German" style to both pieces, right down to the woven-tape reverse backing material. The Bravery Medals are always a thing of simplistic beauty. Nice bar.

Please note the use of leftover WW2 feld grau thread... the stitching pattern and materials used have been the same for a number of years now.

Take a look at the back of the last ribbon... looks blueish on the scan posted. Faded Hesse ribbon??

An interesting and important point to keep in mind. Thanks Eddie! Rick, simply outstanding group. To the best of my knowledge, this is now the only (??) known multi-document set off the island????????