Stogieman

Hi Gerd, compare to this one, courtesy of CollectRussia.com #104305, right in our range, but the plow blade doesn't touch and in fact, Igor mentions this as very unusual for this serial number range. I think we can safely assume that one fello engraved all these numbers!

And a "whonkin-huge" set of original, gilt swords.......

Sorry, I thought the adjacent was French.... hence the Syria connection. Missed the Dutch thing, Sudan makes more sense, but I have zip experience there........

Nice bar Gary... naughty boy. a Colonel and flouting regulations blatantly... Of course it is rather unusual for the recipient of a 15-Year NCO Long Service Cross to make Oberst!!

A quick look at the top 2 bidders and my guess is they were both shills

My confusion. I thought 4.Kl. was the EK

Jeff, Altengruber's Biblio-Verlag has published: Silver St. Henry Medal (all) Gold St. Henry Medal (all) Albert Order, RK2 (1914-17 I think) Albert Order, pre-1914 Merit Order (Saxony) These are just the Saxon books.... there's more.

Paul, wasn't 4.Klasse also awarded to NCO's?

As per Gerd's request... reverses

Very nice case. Obviously Grand Cross ;>) I would guess 1895-1920 as more appropriate for the case/style/construction

PS! Never get tired of seeing this rather special award!!

I concur with the (Truly) Evil Twin?... never seen this in an Austrian group!!

The Weber-Arnold book will give you numbers awarded of all types. I don't think the Biblio-Verlag series listed actual recipients of the AKwX

Hi Ralph, one of the many veteran's organizations...

I would agree. While unusual, there's really no concern here. A Long serving Prussian Reservist could have easily served in a support role while losing a Son in combat. A poignant bar...

Nice stuff Dan. Having a relative bring them home... even better. I would agree with Mr. Rodgers, some age showing is a good thing, but I would be concerned about what looks like active oxidation on the blades of a couple of these. Thanks for showing them.

Reverse. Marked 935 on the pin

I've only been blessed with one Bulgarian Badge of obvious German manufacture...

Nice photo Ralph... you win the artistic shot of the day contest! That's some spectacular subject matter....

Interesting thing is this one is a (relatively) low number for the type...... and a 'typical' suspended piece. I have one about 5K higher that is a typical T2 Screwback, retooled as a suspended piece and the plow blade still touches the staff!!

Ed... Erik... I'm thinking Syrian..

Ahhh, now I understand. So we have an official Oaks w. Matching ribbon for the PLM!! Where's the mini hanging down?? ;>)

And here's the full reverse showing the "7" dead center!

Hi Ralph, when you spun it the oaks "appeared"????

Hi Les, I won't disagree with your statement, the evidence is compelling. However that doesn't change the two grades I offered up. Do I think "wearer's copies" were made. yeah, probably.... but unless they are coming out of an attributable, documented, researched group it's all just story with no basis in reality, or fact. Everyone who owns one of these pieces, whether they paid a song, or thousands, are heavily invested in the story (and the arguments thereof) and are not dealing with the "piece" itself. This arena is normally played out on eBay where people with more money than brains routinely pay thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars for items that are routinely debunked here as utter rubbish..... The serious student, collector, investor (and yes, I will use that last word freely) does his homework and sticts to "textbook' pieces. The INSTANT you have to start explaining, singing a song, or arguing a story......... the piece falls out of category (A) (REAL) and into category (B) (EVERYTHING ELSE)