Stogieman

In my endless surfing I came across this unusual photo of 2 German Red Cross Workers and a heavily wounded soldier. The more I looked, the less I could figure out. What is the uniform/nationality of the wounded chap? What is that odd crossed (??) on his sleeve?

How the heck did he smoke with all thos bandages on his face?????????

I had a look at some of this work in progress today...... a mind-boggling task!

Reverse shows the simple hooks often used to attach to the uniform!

One of the fun things with Austrian Bars (apart from deciphering multiple awards on the same ribbon)(improbable at best)...... they occasionally used some rather unique mountings, styles, etc. This one looks like it was made on a Popsicle stick of all things!!

Yep, 15 awards. Read 'em & weep!

Here's a rather spectacular Officer's ribbon bar, heavily overlapped to cram them all in!

Hi Sal, neat group of stuff..... a new direction for you??

Greetings Rosenberg. This one is much more in line of what I think of when I look for these regimental/reservist pieces. Very nice! Thanks for bringing it here!

The problem is, they don't go cheap. he sells them for a tidy sum. he's patient, he uses all original materials and for the most part, the combinations make sense. He mixes in lots of small, cheap (obviously) real bars and the unsuspecting buyer goes forward. When he first popped up, he sold a small group of very nice, very original bars with very different style/composition/materials... they went for large Euros and I think a "Cottage Industry" was born.........

Once upon a time, I bought every part that showed up publicly. Ribbon, mounts, devices...... everything/anything to keep this sort of thing from happening (so I thought)....... I couldn't keep up with it....

Hi Gerd, I'm not sure if the Arbeit medal is correct.. just noticed the back. The Hessian General Decoration would be correct on the ribbon.. hmmmmmmmmm

Hi Bill, the tip & body of the pin look very similar..... but the attachment to the barrel of the hinge looks very different....

Please be advised that The (truly) Evil Rick (Research) is in a most foul and oppressive mood. I visited him briefly today but was driven off by the dangerously psychotic episode...... Beware of him! He is the Evil Ricky..........

Hi Marc... very interesting. I think to find the history is pretty special. My relatives in Europe last fought during the French Revolution and were lucky to escape the country with their heads. if you could even find a photograph of your relative that would be pretty special. The "trinkets".... spectacular!

Hi John, concur on BSW. The rivets and frame cracks being the real key for me! Nice piece and good luck with the Juncker Quest!

I'm sorry to say I cannot help on this one. I've rarely ever seen the piece and not mounted or with a ribbon. An obscure and tough one to find!

Nice Christophe.... very hard to find this with the enamaled wreath.

Oh Dave, Dave Danner............. don't hold back! Show us the goods!

;>)

Interesting then. We have "Pure Prussia" up front with:

1914 EK2

HHORKwX

Long Service Award

BMVO4wX

AORwX (1.? 2.?)

Hamburg Hanseatic (? not a faded Hesse, right?)

Austrian MMK3kd

Interesting.....

Hi Bill. Nice example. I have always liked these crosses with the very heavy, blunt pin. I do not recall ever seeing one with this style of hinge/pin/catch with a maker mark.

I saw that bar on eBay. Nice little group with the extra pieces.

So we have double "war ribbons" but no long service or colonial awards?? I think the repair may not have been just right?? Interesting ribbon bar

Thanks Brian, I needed a chuckle tonight!

And the reverse......

Ask, and ye shall receive.......

The presentation document.......... very fancy!

These photos are old enough to be small and not on my "trademark" green backdrop!