Graf

Hi Igor, Thank you for the information and especially the last pictures.I admit i have never seen the cross mounted Similar Cross but Gilded was sold recently on a Auction in Gemany I agree with you that the Cross in my collection is most likely private made one. I agree that the new Principality of Bulgaria was poor at that point and such Crosses were not commonly made. I suspect that there were few crosses given to rich people like Felix Graf von Luckner, who in return ordered one to be made in Silver in order to shows his rich/wealth status in the society. It was quite common practice around Europe at that and later time. I forgot to mention that this cross is also featured in the book "Bulgarien Militarorden fur Tapferkeit von 1880 bis 1946" by Uwe Bretzendorfer & Thomas Kuhn. - pages 12 and 13 Best Graf

Hi Igor, Here is a very rare First Model of the Bravery Cross It is Silver and is marked 925 on the ring This Cross is only mentioned in Prince Dimitry Romanoff book " The Orders, Medals and History of the Kingdom of Bulgaria" - page 64.with pictures provided It is not mentioned in any other book about Bulgarian Orders The quality of this cross is much more superior then the common solders Crosses Best Graf

Hi, It is interisting pont about the black line However it is still scary because th fakers are still around and we have to be on guard Here are more pictures of the Fake Republican Commander Even the Wreath which looked good at first glance is a Fake. When compared with two original Wreaths Large and Small Model it is clearly different Even the metal is different It is neither nicely gilded or silvered. Also am listing a picture of the dimmension of the cross In general the whole cross as one of the memmbers noticed looks quite anemic Graf

Hi, i just dicovered something interesting Look those two pictures of the reverse of the crosses On both crossess the handle of the right sword has identical defect ,that means they were made at the same shop at the same time.This will be impossible if the crosses represent different periods Other starnge features -similar enamel patern and the same shape of the crosses also sugest that they are identical In my opinions some of the parts are orininal, however the main bodies and the enamel are recently made That is worry because the fakers managed to fake the hardness of the enamel The good news is they still can not match the one of the Old Original Crosses, however they are closing the gap. In my opinion. both are fakes What do you think ? Graf

Hi 922F, The Two Boris III Crosses are OK I did buy them separetly from different Dealers. Perhaps i have to take pictures with closer view The Commander with War Decoration is fine. I did buy it from Detlev Niemann, when he was still in businnes,. with Certificate The Problem ones are the Republican and The Boris III Commanders on my first listing. The similarities are too big for them to be classified from differen periods.Do not worry the Dealer was Smart he did not error ...he listed them one by one on EBay.com The Boris III Model is stil listed for $988 or "Make an Offer" Deal Graf

Hi 922F, Thank you for the comments It looks like a new wave of Fakes are on the market with improved enamel (hard instead of soft type). However, the similarities and the odd features and those funny oxidation makes them to fail I had the chance to hold the Republican Model and to take pictures with two Boris Commanders and two Officers Here are more pictures to compare Graf

Hi, Two more pictures with more direct view Graf

Hi, Two more pictureswith more direct angle Graf

Hi, Recently I came across those Military Merit Commanders for sale by the same Dealer Although they are from two different periods I found few featrure that are very similar and rases Questions 1One of The Commander is Boris II Period 2 The other Commander is from the Republican Period The commo features are - the both crossess are with the same shape and the saze is less that 54 mm wide Also both are much slimmer that the Standard Boriss Model They are slithly bigger than the Standard Officers of the Boris III Model, however slimmer and thinner compared with an Officer Class - the patern of red enamel is identical even in the central medalions with specific dark areas along the edges Also the ozidesed parts of the metal on Boris III Model look very funny .In my opinion it is artificial ageing and deos not match the very new Enamel I might be wrong and too harsh, however we have to be aware I would like to have your opinion Originals or Fakes? Is any posibility they have been made in Bulgaria? When? Graf

Hi, Recently I came across those Military Merit Commanders for sale by the same Dealer Although they are from two different periods I found few featrure that are very similar and rases Questions 1One of The Commander is Boris II Period 2 The other Commander is from the Republican Period The commo features are - the both crossess are with the same shape and the saze is less that 54 mm wide Also both are much slimmer that the Standard Boriss Model They are slithly bigger than the Standard Officers of the Boris III Model, however slimmer and thinner compared with an Officer Class - the patern of red enamel is identical even in the central medalions with specific dark areas along the edges Also the ozidesed parts of the metal on Boris III Model look very funny .In my opinion it is artificial ageing and deos not match the very new Enamel I might be wrong and too harsh, however we have to be aware I would like to have your opinion Originals or Fakes? Is any posibility they have been made in Bulgaria? When? Graf

Hi, Just to ad to the topic Recently a full size Commander Class of this model was sold for a small fortune I was not the lucky buyer This picture is to admire this piece of art Best Graf

Better Views Graf

Hi, I just got this litle LH with this typical "Cent Gardes" features It is Gold, although not marked Only 13 mm wide Best Graf

Hi Cartaphilus, It is OK as long as the price is as for 1915 Model -30-40 Euro Also it is best if the 1915 Model comes with Awarding Document as shown above. The Document is more expensive then the Cross 1941 Model demands 10 times higher price and is very rare. Besy Regards Graf

Hi Cartaphilus, During the first stages of WW2 the 1915 Model had been awarded to Bulgarian andGerman Military personel. In the late stages of WW2 the 1941 Model was awarded The quality of the 1941 Model is much better then the previuos models. It is believed that only very few pieces were made by German maker Also 1941 Model was awarded only to german Personel , no one Bulgarian is belived to be awarded this model This is Group of Soldiers Cross, which belonged to a German Soldier The Cross is 4th Class 1915 Model with awarding Document dated 1942 Best Regards Graf

Hi Auseklis, This is a very nice case for the 3rd class 2nd Grade Order for Bravery It is very rare one from the late Prince Alexander period around 1886-1887. The Bravery Order which coresponds to the case is also very rare Next models have black or dark green coloured cases -also with Prince Alexander monogram, however they are bigger and not rounded like this one Good luck in getting the Order. Here are some pictures for you: The First one is with the Order you have to get..... I am still chasing it Second is your case compared with the later model case Third is with this case with the next model 3rd Class 2nd Grade Order for Bravery with the corresponding minature Regards Graf

Nice General Kepi I agee Fench Generals uniforms were beatiful Here is a nice General Division assembly from my collection Regards Graf

Dear Members, Jut to let you know that i am selling Two Medals of the Order of the Crown on Ebay.UK Silver and Bronze -Both Flamish and French Text Graf

Dear Members, I recently obtained a nice 1914 EK2 with mark "J" on the ring According to some information this mark is for the Berlin Firm C,E. Juncker. Can you help me with any information Regards Graf

Hi Guy, Those are better pictures I took picture of the crowns of the Knigt Class and the Commander ( French marks for Silver -Boar head and Maker AB&Co)) You can see the similarities in crowns, which can be more proof that all those Luxary made L1 Orders could by French maker(s) Regards Graf

Hi Jaeger7, It is obvious that there are two pieces . The back cover disc is missing The Order is not fake. It has the features of the low quality made Regency/republican Models - at the end of WW2 and after During this period Bulgaria switched sides and went to War with Germany, later became a Peoples Republic. Therefore it is very unlikely this to be replacment piece. During WW2 -1941 Model was made in Germany and the qality was extremly good. It is very likely that the FirmC.F. Zimmermann, Pforzheim, because quite a good number of damaged Bulgarian items were recovered from the damaged by fire factory of this firm. After Bulgaria switched the sides and went to war with Germany the Orders was made by Bulgarian private makers and the quality droped significantly. I suspect because the 1941 Model demands beter prices, that someonr tried to "upgrade" a republican Model to WW2 one. Unfortunately, thre are few pieces at the moment on the market of "upgraded" bulgarian Orders This topic was discussed in the Forum ''"fake Bulgarian Orders" ...or as you said the original 1941 Order was demaged and the central part was adapted to a republican Model, however i doubt that it was done by the German Officer. This is just my opinion ..what is the truth.. only the person who did it knows Best Graf

This was Restoration Period Here is the Second Empire Graf

Hi Guy, I also suspected that it was made by fFrench Maker It is similar design as the "Cent Gardes" of French LOH Graf

Hi, I do not like to upset you however it looks someone has tried to created history. The 1941 Models were made in Germany and the quality was excellent. Most of them were given to German Officers This one looks like a Republican issue -Bulgarian maker and with added central ring (with 1941) Compare this one with the New World posting. There is something that bothers me about this Order Sorry.! Graf

Hi Guy, Thank you for showing the Military devision. I have seen this cross on the top cover (and also inside) of the '175 Jaar Leopoldsorde & de Belgische Nationale Orden" In this book is stated that the maker is unknown. Is Wolfers suspected of making it? It is made similar as the Luxury Models of France Legion of Honour Do you think the Luxary L1 could be French made? Here are two Commanders made by the French Maker Bertrand Best Graf