Ulsterman

Have you tried the US State Departments' handbook on Cuba: A Country Study? Sometimes they have stuff.

The date is wrong. The Order was supressed by the Bonapartists and not revived in France until the fat King returned. Are you certain the date says 1813-not 1815?

Very nice! Intersting stuff. Do you know what they did to get these medals awarded them?

Amazing! A great collection-perhaps the best Luftwaffe collection in Europe?

You are welcome! I have the book (massive but well worth it): "Nagy Magyar kitunteteskonyv" which has award numbers. My friend in Budapest translated the Communist era chapters for me and I am slowly going through the Horthy era with a dictionary. Hungarian awards are absurdly undervalued, well made, beautiful and my newest favorite area. Great medal!

The Cultural Revolution really was not kind to the old Yenan vets was it? Thanks Jin!

That's a very nice Labour Merit Medal Captain! 1954 version-20,652 awarded.

I like odd things-it shows the eccentric nature of history sometimes. In the 1860s-1870s the Egyptian Khedive hired a large group of European mercenaries to stiffen its armies and "professionalize" them. Many of these men's contracts are still in the Egyptian archives. A few years ago there were some very good articles in various British "small wars" publications about US/Confederate types who went to Egypt-as well as some other Europeans. I think this is real-it is too odd not to be in some ways (although maybe somebody in 1921 needed a ribbon bar for a play). I assume it is to a European by the British medals. The British medals from Suakin are what bother me. I have the rolls for this battle-the "last stand" of the Fuzzy-Wuzzies and there is no "5th Btn." whatsoever-so why does this man have English medals named to what is almost certainly an Egyptian/Sudanese unit? The Egyptian units at Suakin are also listed and my friend Aidan of the Victorian Soc. is sending me the list. Secondly, the imperial German NCOs medals were not handed out lightly-yet no campaign medals. I can not believe a crown order medal would be given to anyone with less than 10 years service-even if they were the Kaisers' favorite horseholder on manouvers. Yet there is no Centennial medal. As Rick R points out -an Egyptian NCO who then goes on to great glory in Germany's colonial empire, but does not receive any colonial campaign medals. Perhaps he was gone by the GSWA rebellions. I strongly suspect a German born navy/deck officer type-or artillery type on detachment/commanding an infantry unit. These were in GREAT demand by the Egyptians as the British had no problems seconding NCOs and officers to Egyptian regiments, but apparently avoided giving the "natives" too many technical skill.

A fascinating medal bar- a senior NCO out before the French war, enlisted in the Egyptian army as an advisor/mercenary? I find no battalion #5 on the British rolls. Perhaps a navy Tar ashore?

Nice one. Don't they still have a long service ribbon?

here is the back

I bought this off ebay for almost nothing (75 new pence ). It is surprisingly well made-heavy and the enamel work is real-not paint. The ring is a "key chain" type, but apart from that somebody put some effort into this medal. It is probably Chinese, but maybe Singaporean. Anyone know what it is or can translate it? I'll offer a small prize as a bonus (TBD). Sorry for the gold "flash" from the scanner light. Thanks-

That is the FIRST time I have ever seen that badge worn-obviously a Wittelsbach royalist; 'ein blauer mann' to quote Rohm.

HIS file must be on that SS research CD.

I remember reading an article somewhere-I think it was the BDOS journal in the 1980s, that stated that war time service counted double-time for a year for imperial service, state and Wehrmacht medals. Am I wrong?

I saw an odd little ribbon bar the other day-navy blue ribbon @ 3cm long with another all white ribbon-same length together on a smaller, narrower bar. Anybody know a medal with an all white ribbon?

Heiko! Great photos. I can tell by one of them that you and I have cost each other some cash on ebay! I am glad it went to a good home.

Really good article!

see here: http://www.omsa.org/photopost/showphoto.ph...oto=647&cat=574

Looks like he died just before the Soviets got there-bombing raid or old age? In 1925 he was commander of the 5th Division in Stuttgart. Decorations included: Red Eagle 4x,Crown order 2x, EK1, EK2, black wound badge, officers 25 year Long Service medal, Hohenzlln Hnrcross3, Bavarn Military Merit Cross3X &crown, Saxon Albrecht Order 3x, Baden Order of the Zahringn. Lion3, Hessn Bravery medal, Mecklenbrg Schwern service cross2, Wurtmbrg Order of the Crown knights' cross with lion, Saxe-Ernistene Houseorder 2x, Saxe-Meingn Honorcross, Austrian Franz Josef order-officercross, Austn. military service cross, Osmanie Order 2nd classx with star, Turkish Halfmoon. x="with swords"

wow! Nice one-rare medal.

Here's an interesting thread from a "sister" forum. What is that thing? I assume it is the front of the barracks gate-but who knows? Glenn? Rick? http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...opic=52375&st=0 .

Thanks Kev! They are cheaply made-but real Vietnamese ones I have were also made out of old fish tins, so who knows? Still, I suspect they're rubbish, but you never know.

Thankee kindly Mr. Floyd! It's quite a nice piece with a bit of history to it then.

the backs: