Stogieman

which is an interesting contrast to this earlier Godet mini box

Here's the maker stamp from the inner silk lid liner:

Here's another interesting mini set that passed through my hands. Cased Godet!

Here's a different example. A bronze-gilt Goldenes Milit?r Ehrenzeichen mint in its' issue case

You'll see the "Wearer's Copy" story tossed about all over the net, various on-line auction houses and at shows. I personally believe that as we speak, there are probably enough Imperial German Pour Le Merites (aka PLM, aka Blue Max) floating about for every man, woman and child in Germany right now!! Interesting from the standpoint that less than 800 were awarded for WW1

But as with most "Fairy Tales" and "Urban Legends", they have a basis in truth. Certainly a few of Germany's elite winners of the PLM had a copy (or in the case of G?ring, 10-20) or two laying around.

My experience is that this practice carried down through the ranks even to the enlisted. A Kingdom's (Duchy, Principality, etc.) highest award may have just been so revered that to actually wear the piece was akin to wanton disregard.... Here are a few examples of what I mean.

This Silver Max Josef Bravery Medal is a "wearer's copy" from the Bavarian grouping of C. Engelhardt.... he kept the original pristine in its' original case and i doubt it was ever worn. But this piece, an entirely different story! Notice the bizarre suspension system of this period (!!) copy!

I invite all to share any versions of "wearer's copies" they might have in their collections!

hmmmmmm, I believe this one passed through my hands as well ;>)

The "traditional" style bar:

Nice bar Christophe, another we "met" on! Here's its' big brother in real silver, mint in the box as sold to the soldiers.

Here's a scan of a rather nice one that passed through my hands!

Nice piece of research Mike. I never bothered to examine the individual pieces just outright dismissed the un-natural flood of these onto the market in the past year. Nothing is sacred. What is astounding is that someone has even started to fake the 3-piece, stamped tin issue WW1 Air Gunner Badge. Caveat Emptor

Nice. The earlier Turkish awards are quite well done and very detailed. Do you have others?

I just received a very interesting "South German" style ribbon bar with three Finnish awards on it! Will try and get some photos up tonight.

Perhaps a captured piece, engraved after the fact??

The management wishes to express its' regrets over the bizarre twists & turns of this thread. The Moderator "Rick Research" will be removed, medicated and returned shortly.

He was actually dancing in his driveway when I left today......... a most amusing sight!

Now all you need is the Waldeck equivalent! ;>) Good Luck with that!!!!!!!

what is odd here is that someone who fought with the "Central Powers in 1918 also received awards for korean conflict in the 1950's!! Not many guys pulled that off!

Hi Tom, gorgeous! Welcome to The Forum!!

No rubbing....... just really proud to have handled one of less than a dozen known originals, worldwide!

OK, the Forum erased the name. This ribbon bar is called the "hahatauntingyouhaha" bar.

Here's the bar in my hands. Are you having fun yet? See the error of your ways?? To really enjoy this, "right click" the foto to read the name of the bar!

....... I'm holding a ribbon bar in my hand...... one you would KILL for. if you're right, it's yours. If not, I am vindicated and the Master of All Things I Survey... all shall fear me! Har Har!

Also, I totally disagree with Rick's "read" of the hand-written line. No way it says "und Schwertern", or "mit Schwertern"

and the reverse:

a little closer, my pretty!