Stogieman

Figure it out yet??

You get only one clue! They're all from the same state!

OK, who can tell me what Imperial German State these cases are from??

The W?rttemburg bar I listed has: Long Service in first (out of order, but made that way!) Wilhelm's Cross with Swords Austrian War Ribbon with Swords Flanders Cross with Swords (Veteran's piece)

Nice guys..... here's the same Hannover piece, mint in the packet

Hi Steve, thanks! I'm hoping we can catalogue the different known types. I'm very curious as to how many people have different examples than these. I have another plain one that came in today with a parade-mounted EK2. Nothing else, just the packet & cross and an ausweiss!

Now, my Mama may have raised a fool....... but I sure wouldn't drop this kind of bread, for this type of piece, even if I believed the perpetual wearer's copy stories........ based on these crappy photographs!

Reverse of the "wearer's copy"

6K and climbing....... The description states: "This is one of the most sought-after medals in the world: the famous Blue Max. This is a version that is the deep blue. It has a .800 silver content and a Silver Gilt piece. This is not a WWI-issue piece because the original issued were made of gold and would run up to $18000-$20000, but rather it a private purchase badge made to replace a lost or damaged issue example. This example is in very good condition. The gold letters on the obverse are very highly chased, which is one mark of a well-made piece. The PLM was definitely worn. The enamel presents slight wear, showing where it has brushed up against other objects. The quality is definitely good and the tail feathers are cut out and very detailed. The gold letters on the obverse are very highly chased, which is a mark of a well-made piece. The original silk ribbon is in very good condition and modified for wear." So, we acknowledge that it is not anything other than a "wearer's copy" (which by the way does not conform to any of the known makers) yet it's at 6K and climbing.

As a comparison, here's an accepted/known case of issue ca. 1917 for the same piece!! Photo courtesy of WildCard

All right, maybe one more. This one stamped for "S&W"

Last one from me for now....... this example was a plain/unmarked blue wax bag with cross and ribbon inside!

This one was interesting. pretty sure I was the first person to open it. Stone-cold mint in the tissue, in the blue wrapper!

Here's one with only a "K"

Here's an example of the plain blue packet, made in the thousands and tossed. How many do you have? This one is ink-stamped with a purple "KO"

Here's another example:

We see hundreds of the thousands of EK2's awarded in WW1...... but what about the packets? Not many found as most were tossed away almost immediately. I've seen a number of the "Retailer" named packets over the years. Some common and colorful, many just elegant in their simplicity....... But the real gems to me are the plain blue wrappers the crosses left the manufacturer in. So far, I've seen plain packets in paper and wax paper, paper packets ink-stamped in purple with the following makers: "KO", "W" & "S&W". How about you? What ones have you seen or do you have in your collection? Here's a basic retailer packet. This maker was not a manufacturer, but rather a "jobber".... these can be fun to collect in and of themselves. You'll see them with all sorts of hand-written notes as to recipient, contents, units, etc.

Hi Chuck, welcome to the Forum. Fabulous Order, especially with the swords. I think much of the Imperial Russian Orders are amongst the most beautiful. I've bid on a number of bars with a St Anna, or St. Stanislaus mixed into a German grouping......... but always seem to get hammered out in the end by a Native Russian. Can't say I blame them at all!

Of course I would be miscreant to not offer up the same medal on the scarce Non-Combattant ribbon!

Whoops, sorry about that... rather small. Here's a bigger view of the packet/medal.

Speaking of Bulgaria, here's a nice complete set to a German. Award document, Medal and imprinted cellophane bag of issue!

Paul's post of the backs is interesting. Many of these bars are all individual ribbons with snaps that could be slipped on/off and added to very easily. Quite different from the German sewn/tabbed style of bar where every time you were decorated you's have to get a new bar!! Some awards are very rare on ribbon bars. Any group with an Order of The Iron Crown is especially nice.... some times, like the examples above, you'll see the ribbon with just swords. Very occassionally, one will find a bar with a miniature KD Laure Leaves wreath in gold & enamels........ The real Pot of Gold......... a Leopold Order. One of Austria's highest awards for strictly Officers. Perhaps a member has one to show??

I wish I could remember the mini-bar but I figure some of you guys can do this in your sleep!! I'd love to have one nice British gallantry group but these days...... yikes!

This was a mini/"mess dress" board. Quality was superb with the MC & others in real silver. The mini bar and mini MID palm were exquisite...

I was searching through my archives and finally came across photos of the one Brit Gallantry group that floated through here!