Rod

I have a friend who informs me the wreath is the war award and the swords are a plus!! ALSO, I am informed the first name is OTTO!!! I am struggling .... but having a good time!! Thanks again Rod

I have a 1939 EK1 that is engraved (very simply done) to Heinrich Ebker along with his soldbuch that does not fully complete his service. I am not questioning the authenticity of the items. But I am wondering if someone might be able to give me more information on Ebker. I can tell you he was a Hauptmann with Unit Stab 111/Artillerie Regiment 186/86 Infanterie Division. He served in Russian and was badly wounded but appears to have recovered. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Rod

I think I would like to make a display grouping of Held's awards around his EK1. Is the BZ3bXmE 17.10.14 as Hptm in FAR 66 listed above by Rick an award? If so what in the world is it? Also is the pic shown by Dave the exact type that Held would have been awarded. I think (and remember I am a real newbie) the war decoration is the laurel wreath. Dave's pic also has swords on the ribbon which I think is an additional award. (Sorry for being so picky Dave. I greatly appreciate the pic! I just want to be as accurate as I can with Held.) Finally, I have read (somewhere) that the officers 25 year award comes in types 1, 11 and 111 based on the time periods of issue with type 1 as the earliest. I would assume Held would have been given the type 111 (last issued time period). Am I on the right track? Thanks so much again to all and for putting up with me. Rod

Glenn... Many thanks. It would not surprise me if one of you guys will end up telling me the color of Held's eyes!! Rod

Dave.... Thanks so much!! ALL you guys are amazing!! Rod

Rick.. If I can prevail on your generous nature just a bit more.. In your listing of Held's awards, I know what the HHOX and 1897 Centenary are, but what in the world are the Prussian XXV and the OM3K? Thanks, Rod

Bernhard, Thanks to you!! I never expected so much valuable information. Rod

Rick, Thank you so very much!! That information sure makes me appreciate my EK1 much more! Rod

I have an 1914 EK1 engraved on the back to Hauptmann Held .. Badisches Feld... Artillerie ... Regiment Nr. 66 ..... 1 Battery. I got this from Detlev Niemann a few years back. I realize this may be just a shot in the dark, but could someone further identify this officer? Thank you, Rod

Geeeesshhh what I can of worms my innocent question prompted!! Rod

The seller of the medal told me Wienna... hummm ... I assumed it was Vienna...Are they one and the same?? I said I needed help !!! Rod

I have been able to find out that the "A" denotes Vienna and that the place of manufacturer was required after 1876. Rod

Would someone put a vintage date on a item marked V. Mayer gemsenkopf 3 A? I am told it is 18 K gold!!! Rod

I feel like a bull in a china shop!!! Perhaps I am waaaaaay off base but I have to stick my nose in ... without offense I hopeeeee. I have stumbled and bumbled around from the TR into the German imperial era and now into the Austrian. From what little I have seen and God knows what little I (think) I know, I am coming to think that that the Austrian Imperial period is a real sleeper!!!! As much as I think (in my less than humble opinion) that the TR is waaaayyyy overvalued compared to the German Imperial era ........ so is the Austrian period. Remember I am a really new guy ..... but the quality of what I have seen and the dealer prices make the Austrians a really unappreciated bargain. I just bought my first FJ order third class and it is magnificent in terms of design and make. I am thinking the Austrian pre 1914 is a best kept secret!!!!! Rod

I am a very newcomer .... and I do not wish to offend BUT Der Rittmeister has two (2) pour le Merite for sale at $15,000!!!! I am sure you all review his website although I have consistantly heard it is an interesting place to visit BUT not to buy...... Sooooooo I am interested.... are these items worthy of seriously purchase????? Rod

Excuse me for going on and on ......... I have very carefully examed my cross under 10X. The quality is absolutely top drawer. I am sure the center is real gold which I think would safely date it to early WW1. Maybe my old eyes are failing, but when I look at the cross is subdued light it is definitely silver. Under strong light, it seems to reflect more of a gold color. Under magnification I can see strong hints of gold color which I think is silver tarnish. In any event I am very pleased. In my mind the maker continues to be Eberhardt of Altenburg. Thanks so much to one and all for their help and great information!! Rod

Schie... Nope ... no comparison between the two. Mine looks engraved as opposed to a punch. EE . 925 Rod

Hi Rick The maker's mark (E E) (along with 925) is located on the left inside rim of the bottom cross arm which is drawn into two points (left and right). Hope I have not over complicated my description. Rod

Well the mailman just arrived!!!! I am in shock!!!!! What a beautiful medal!!!! Now keep in mind I am a really new guy to all of this. BUT... I think this is the first class award in gilt silver ... not the second class in plain silver. I see lots and lots of gold glit with some "blackening" (tarnish??) that seems to shine like silver would. I think it has a three piece center and absolutely NO enamel chipping!!! The gold center looks great!!! The 5 1/2" X 1 1/2" ribbon sure looks original to me. The handles of the swords are plain on the reverse. No damage on the piece at all!!!! I would certainly agree with the "unissued" part. To say that I am pleased is an understatement. Saxon Militaria still has one of equal quality but with out the swords for about $600. Mine with the swords was $800. Compared to other SHEOs I have seen advertised those are excellent prices. Sorry I can't provide my own pics. I have to get a decent camera.... sigh I hope the above can help someone speculate about the vintage of mine ... allll mine Rod

Hello Schie.... Here is the dealer's pic (Saxonia Militaria). It has the "S" hilt which I understand is sometimes call the "French" ones. Actually the item is still in transit to me and possibly should arrive today. I am told it still has all the original silver frosting. Hard to believe this could have been in inventory for all these years, but I guess stranger things have happened. What do you think? Rod

I have a SEHO knight's cross with swords.... second class, marked 925 silver, real gold center and stated as "unissued". Maker marked EE (E. Eberhardt from Altenburg). Would someone speculate if this is a replacement item (post 1918) or one that was issued up into 1934 by the "Duke"? I would lean more towards a replacement item because of the swords. Thanks, Rod

The Knights cross is in transist to me from the UK. I read on another forum that the duce awarded the medal up into the 1930s. Does anyone have an idea if E. Eberhardt was in business into this era? Maybe my cross does not have the providance of WW 1 but it still has something to say. My experience with Peter Nadini has been sort of frustrasting since he is is busy with his "daytime" job but I do believe he is someone to be respected. He has been very cordial with me. Once I actually receive my cross I will comment further. Emedals has a GOLD one but I need to think more about it! Rod

Rick: Weeelllll ..... the ring is marked 900 (hard to make out), the swords are marked 900 and J. L. (Jakob Lesser I think), the back of the medal attachment is marked 950 and J. L. again..........great ribbon and a reddish case!!!! Real Gold center with open crown (the darn lion seems to dance if you watch him real close)!! ha ha No scratches on the enamel that you could darn near dive into and swim!! I think ( might be wrong again) the hint of gold I see could be tarnish on the silver. I am in love..... Rod

Stogieman.... that sure clears it up for me!! Rod

I am no doubt way off base with this ... but: I notice that many of the Bavarian MVOs look like silver! I thought they were all gilt silver. I recently bought a 4th class and the finish looked very "dirty" especially the flames. I very very very carefully brushed with a soft tooth brush. Well, the "dirt" easily came off which made the finish (especially on the flames) look silver with only hints of gold. In looking at posted pics its seems like most of the MOVs look very dark just like the one I just got. Some are advertised as silver! Are these really incorrectly cleaned gilt silver items? Other gilt silver medals that I have seen hold on to the gold finish very well. Is there something peculiar with the MVOs or am I all wet (the usual state for me). ha ha Thanks, Rod