Gensui

Thanks a lot! It's time to come to an end with my PhD... BR, Chris

Meanwhile, I could solve this point. First signature is related to Sir Henry Francis Oliver, Director of Naval Intelligence, the second one is from Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Frederick Charles Doveton Sturdee as Chief of War Department of the British Admirality. BR Chris

Thanks Nick! I was hoping to find more about him, especially a photos. BR, Chris

Gents, Is there any information (e.g. picture) of 佐久間八郎 / Sakuma Hachirô? As far as I know, he was Lt.-Commander (engineer) and got the Crown Prince's Voyage to Korea Commemorative Medal (s. photo below). Another question would be- why did he got this medal? BR, Chris

No ideas? ? Or maybe any ideas, whom I could ask / contact about the names? BR, Chris

Dear all, I’m currently evaluating several documents from the Archive of the British Foreign Office for my PhD. Two signature and the abbreviation are causing some headache to me, because I cannot read/understand them. Any ideas? a) [XX]. Oliver [?], D.I.D. 6.8.14 ? b) A C D [XXX] C. O S. [Chief of Staff?] 7/8/14 ? FYI- these two documents related to an information exchange regarding the Japanese assistance to the British Government during the war in Tsingtao. Thanks for your help and br, Chris

BR, Chris

I would agree- naval related. But a medical? I am missing any Red Cross related items. But how about a Paymaster, naval official, Feuerwerker...? The problem is, that thiis medal bar has nothing unique, which would allow me to track it... BR, Chris

Claudio, Hm, that could be an explanation. Any clasp on a Red Cross medal wouldn't fit due to the Red Cross medal itself. BR, Chris

Gents, Let me allow to share my little piece of a non-combat frack bar. I'm wondering if there will be any identification possible...? BR, Chris

Gents, Here is my little contribution. What puzzle's me, is the (possible) missing battle clasp above the Red Cross medal (see holes there). Hope you like it? BR, Chris

Chinese Order of the Double Dragon. Interesting combination, which puzzle me, 'cause I thought this class of the Chinese order is for higher ranking. Beside this, no long service decoration, no further awards... BR, Chris

Gents, Did anybody of you guys won the Benemerenti auction lot-no. 1031 (Document Group of a Matrose of the Trade-Submarine "Deutschland" / Ponape 1911.)? I would be happy to get in touch with the winner! BR, Gensui

Seems like official documents from a Japanese archive. Do you have any sources-information on this wonderful documents? BR, Chris

Gents, After some thoughts and some discussion with the member Leutwein, I have doubt on the ribbon bars as well. Leutwein pointed out, that this ribbon bar (with the MVO4mKrX) should be, at least, to a Major-rank. But there is no long service medal for 25 years, which he should received basically. Beside this, it looks like a construction after the 1930s, and I'd like to refer on below link (thanks, Leutwein!) http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/related/ribbons/construction.htm BR, Chris

What I feel strange about are the different conditions between ribbon and medal. Seems like cleaned ribbon, while medal have a patina. No worries about authenticity. BR, Chris

As far as I remember, seller declared the Tsekingkwan clasp itself as "tailor's copy". Br, Chris

I hope this is ok? Otherwise, you need to be patient, 'till I take this bar back from the safe desposit box. BR, Chris

Hi Alex, Yes, it's Borns medal bar. As far as I know, Anton "Toni" Heinrich Kaspar Born was born in 1890 in St. Goashausen, Hessen-Nassau. He received the MEZ 2 for his service at Pohnpei in 1911. But I am not sure, which ship Born joined during this time (SMS Emden, SMS Nuernberg, SMS Cormoran). I have a copy of a postcard; no. 21 is Born. BR, Chris

Gents, Please allow me to share my contribution to this interesting topic: Within the estate of the former U-Deutschland member seaman 1st class Anton Born, who served as engineer on the U-Deutschland and was interned in the US, was this “Iron Cross” with the counterfeit of Paul Koenig as well as an ash tray, made out of the scrapped Deutschland. BR, Chris

…to be honest, I don’t believe here in a golden version of this medal. Case looks mostly like the one for the Promulgation medal and the medal itself could be a “deadly-polished†silver medal. I’m not sure about the base material of this medal. I would had expect some more prominent case with some golden flower décor (compare to the case of the silver medal) for the golden Wedding Anniversary Medal... BR, Chris

...and in GOLD Happy bidding... BR, Chris

Gents, For all those who are still looking for a nice Valentines gift: Wedding Anniversary Medal in silver …

Thanks a lot! I need to repeat - an absolute stunning historical piece with a beautiful "story behind" BR, Chris

Ulsterman, Can you post a complete scan of the back side? I'd like to see the complete devotion starting with " Herrn Hauptmann Scealte". I'm just curious, why a Japanese officer provided his photo to an American officer in German language, not in English or even French...