Ralph A

Some details.

I suppose, it would be too much to ask for it to have a maker's mark...

The cross. I suppose I could have taken greater care when snapping this, but you've seen them before.

...they come like this.

"Show us yer bottom, Frannie," the men in the tavern shouted over the frothy rims of their ale-filled mugs. Hoisted quickly onto a table by a dozen searching hands, she did just that...

OK... I'm not too sure what prompted all that, but enjoy.

Frannie reveals all. She's a worldly lass; bawdy to boot and with a dark side.

(Great patina to the RAO, don't you think?)

Eagle yet flys; better days but a memory.

Fannie Frack here has obviously led an adventure-filled life. Oft repaired and repainted, and maybe even remounted. That's her secret, and we will not pry into the affairs of grand old ladies.

Doing a little housecleaning; moving pictures about, came across this. Some of you may not have seen this one, posted elsewhere:

Reverse.

This is the joy of collecting, to me. Unusual and simple and a perfect balance of motif and color; a black/white/silver piece of art.

Thanks for looking.

- RM Abercrombie

Silberne Verdienstmedaille mit Schwertern.

...

Interior of case. Thank you, gentlemen, for viewing.

Detailed close up shots available via e-mail, and to those discerning, and properly vetted. Good day to you all!

The case.

The olive laurel actually has olives!

More detail. Note loss of enamel; presumably from the hinged crown banging away at it over the years. I like seeing this sort of "patina" on a piece this old.

Crown:

Another look at that dragon (gryphon?)

Another close up:

Reverse:

The requisite close up:

The piece:

Greetings, gentlemen. I wish to offer for your viewing pleasure a small trinket from my collection:

By the start of The Civil War very few actual slaves were still in bondage due to modern farming methods that made manual work too slow. A lot of slaves had actually been freed by there owners but stayed on the plantation for the work and shelter.

Freed Slaves who made there way North were not particualy welcome though certain States notably Mass. did afforded them certain rights.

Actually... the introduction of the cotton gin again made slavery a viable institution for the South, so the reverse of what you say here is true.

This looks fairly comprehensive:

http://www.naval-history.net/WW1NavyAustrian.htm