Ralph A

Here are some details. By the way, when I visit the Fredericksburg National Battlefield Cemetary, and see the Yankee tombstones, I don't see so much a memorial to Union bravery as I do a monument to Southern marksmanship. ... ohhh, than was bad. Sorry.

I don't generally collect US Civil War collectibles, which is strange because my knowledge of the conflict rivals some who hold doctorates in the field. I live in Fredericksburg Virginia, and my home is only 20 miles or so from several major battlefields: Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Salem Church. 47 Abercrombies fought for the South in the war, all direct relatives. I am a VIP (Volunteers in Parks) for the Fredericksburg-Spotsylvania National Military Park, and have many friends in the Park Service, the Department of the Interior and the US State Department because of my involvement in battlefield and memorial preservation. The Burnside Carbine was invented and patented by Ambrose P. Burnside (commander) of the Army of the Potomac. The carbine's significance is that it was one of the world's first breech-loaders. I chose this one (less than perfect), because I am not a bona-fide collector of US Civil War (which, at The Citadel we called "The War of Northern Aggression") memorabilia, and I have no business grabbing AAA+++ collectibles away from serious collectors. This one is a fine example, but lacks original blueing. They were not widely used during the Civil War, but found more widespread use in the Indian Wars. Does anyone here know what a Galvanized Yankee was?

Gents, I wanted a "wall-hanger" to put in my "Bunker" and this is what I came up with.

Are the scalloped mini's as rare? Or are all the mini's scalloped? (PS I acquired the bar w/mini and the one above at different times)

Or maybe I should say "scalloped."

It's the only 1813 Iron Cross in my collection. I'm still looking for a full-sized one w/o a cracked core! Some day... The bit of ribbon behind is supposedly a period-piece, too, but that's hard to quantify. According to one source: approx. 16,900 2nd class, 600 1st class awarded for actions in the Napoleonic Wars.

Some penicillin should fix that up nicely, Don.

For your viewing pleasure.

Thanks to John for clearing that up. Here are some more "Bulgies." The diplomat's bar is not so common.

I think the Bulgarian Order of Military Merit shown here is 6th class. True?

Christophe, I'm glad you brought it up. It's the HK that is made by PS&C of L. The bar is securely under glass, and my memory served me poorly. But here is the hallmark anyway, and a look at St. Florian's un-hallmarked rumpus:

Here is a bar I've had for some time, and I thought I would share it with you gentlemen. The most interesting medal on it, to me, is the Weimar Republic firefighter's long service medal, second class, by Paul Schulze & Co, Lübeck (see post 6). That's St. Florian in it's middle, the patron saint of firefighters, chimney sweeps, soapmakers... and drowning victims. The Lübeck medal ain't bad, either...

It sure looks like it. Color is throwing me off a bit, but the details say S & L. Especially the loop.

I have this box, for two award documents.

1960?

Good idea, might just do that. I always considered the Agadir affair to be the "Cuban Missile Crisis" of that era...

An unofficial classification for use by collectors. Discussed to death in another forum. Supposedly the ones like those in post #2 above were the original manufacturing run, with the "silvered" helmet and rim. "Type 2" came later, for soldiers applying after the fact. They had "burnished" helmets and rims, not quite as well made. "Type 3" were for Johnny-come-lately applicants much later in the war. These were the plain-struck "zinkies." Problem is, with time, ablation and oxidation it is hard to tell one from the other... if indeed different types ever existed at all.

Agadir, Morocco, July 1st, 1911.

Not too many of these floating around. Enjoy. Happy New Year!

Some moderator fix the title. There is an extra "e."

A closeup of one of the better so-called "Type 1" medals for your pleasure. Thanks for looking.

Here is a selection fresh from the freezer, which I thought you might enjoy seeing:

I want to see some pics of Chris' hardware... nooo not THAT hardware....

Say, Chris, don't you have an '08? My memory is solidifying along with my arteries, but I seem to remember....

"I think you mean "Was"... I am still alive!"