Brian Wolfe

Hi Tomas, Thanks for the photographic tour of what is almost Heaven. You've made my day. Regards Brian

Hi Michael, You've shot right past the date I was looking for and answered the second question I had in mind. Because the crest had only 9 provincial coats of arms it would predate 1949, the year Newfoundland joined the Dominion. After 1949 there would have had to have been 10 crests. The flag posted was used from 1868-1921 and therefore could very well be a First World War flag. The flag used between 1921 and 1957 did not have all of the coats of arms of the provinces. This variation is pictured below. Regards Brian

Hello HeikoGrusdat, Are the ribbon devices correct for the ribbons? I am now thinking that I could alway remove all of the medals, get new ribbons and keep them as singles. Then I would keep this as just a ribbon bar. My costs so far are only about what I would have paid for the Silesian Eagle and that and the Naval Honour Cross is why I purchased this group in the first place. I think the first ribbon is the Karl Friedrick Merit Order Cross or the Merit Medal. Would this have the crossed swords device? Any advice you can give me would be a great help. Regards Brian

Hi Jim, Well, it may indeed have been instituted at that time, though I'm not sure. I guess what I should have said is "what is the last date that this flag was current?" You may be going in the wrong direction (date wise)though if you think about the East coast it may give you the answer. Regards Brian

Hello HiekoGrusdat, That is even more preplexing. Returning the group will not be a problem but I am wondering when and why this may have happened. They "look" to all be of the same vintage as far as the mount is concerned. So I am now wondering if this was done in the period that they were awarded (or shortly after) and these were convenient ribbons and where just used to complete the mount or was this done much later to fool collectors. Regards Brian

Hi Muckaroon1960, Good guess and you are correct,but even farther back than 1951. You need to look at the coat of arms for the answer. Regards Brian

Thank you for your comment. I wonder how that would have happened. It looks to have been all mounted up at the same time. That's interesting. Regards Brian

Here's a closer view of the "clue". What do you think the date is that this flag predates? I will tell you that not one of my kids (ages 24 to 32...God I'm feeling old) knew the answer to this question. Regards Brian

Hello Everyone, On a resent trip to Perth (Ottawa area) we found a couple of nice items in the antiques shops of the town. This is a Canadian Ensign my wife spied and purchased for the collection for $35.00. It's in great shape and while I couldn't photograph the whole flag I think you will get the idea of what it looks like and its condition. The crest, which is shown better in the second photo, and the Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner is the flag I remember as a kid and the flag Canada flew during the Second World War. Here's a question for the Canadian members, and anyone else who might have an interest. While it is hard to give an exact date, what date would this flag have to had predated? A cule is in the second photo. Regards Brian

Very nice and well marked. Here we see them at such sales they look like battlefield finds! Well done. Regards Brian

Here is a view of the reverse side of the group. The pin device is just that...a pin. Not all that official or professional but I am sure it served the purpose. Thanks again for any comments you may have, as always, they are appreciated. Regards Brian

Hello Everyone, This trio just arrived on Friday and I had to wait until we returned from a trip to the Ottawa area before I could really look it over. This came from a realiable dealer here in Ontario so that sick feeling that can come with eBay purchases was not associated with this group. It comprises of the Silesian Eagle, with crossed swords on the ribbon, Legion of Honour Medal with combat device on the ribbon and the Honour Cross with Crossed Swords for those who served in the Navy. I think this is a nice little group and, providing it is authentic, shows a lot of combat service by the recipient. I don't know a lot about Imperial Medals and even less about the Weimar Repiblic and FreiKorps Medals but I was wondering if the members might comment on the group. What are your opinions on the group itself? Genuine or a "return it quickly"? Is the crossed sword device common on the Silesian Eagle, or has this been added unofficially? How common is the Naval Honour Cross? I can't find the post regarding the Honour Cross, I know I've seen it but searches have not turned it up on GMIC. Lastly, I have read that the Legion of Honour medals were not allowed to be worn after 1939(?), was this for everyone or just those on active service. Could such a group have been worn legally during the TR period by a veteran not on active service? Sorry for all of the questions but these are some question I could not discover the answers to. Regards Brian

Hello Everyone, You learn something new every day. I was not aware that you could sell on eBay as a private seller, but then I have not sold on eBay for two or more years and when I did it was usually antique tools. I would have to disagree that no one wants to know what you have purchased (or, as they say "won") on eBay. The fellow I mentioned in post #6 used to do this all the time and I could not purchase anything without him knowing. The only problem that came of this would be a nasty and threatening phone call to me when I would out bid him on an item. It got to the point where the family would not pick up the pohone if his number appeared on the call display. I am starting to agree with one of our members, who does not visit here any more, when he refers to eBay as e$cam. I've started to purchase from a trusted local dealer here in Ontario more and more rather than using online auctions. There are not the "deals" that can be seen with auctions but there are no worries about the item as to grade and authenticity. Now that a seller's identification can be kept private it opens up eBay to every bandit and highwayman to ply his, or her, nefarious trade. Thanks for listening to my early morning, coffee-induced rant. Regards Brian

Hi Mike, That's interesting and thanks for adding that information. Here I thought I wouldn't learn something new today. Thanks again. Regards Brian

Hi Chip, No harm done. That's what I dislike about the internet, it's hard to tell how someone takes things. I was very happy to hear your translation. Thanks again. Regards Brian

Thanks Chip, I tried to run the word through an on line translator with little luck. The word Krieg came out "war" of course but the rest didn't make sense in English. While it may indeed be a civilian medallion it will still fit in my collection as is did have to do with the First World War, and besides I like it. Regards Brian

Here are the two medals in the photo. Please note these are NOT the exact medals in the photo only similar ones. Regards Brian

A closer view of the medals. I believe the Order of the Rising Sun is the 7th Class as you will notice that there seems to be a darker colour at the bottom 1/2 of the medal where the 8th Class would probably be one light colour throughout. The other medal is the China Incident 1937- 1945. It is similar to the Manchurian Incident, as you are aware, but the "attitude" of the bird matches the shape of the bird on the China Incident Medal. I'll post these two medals next for those reading this post who are not familiar with the medals I am talking about. Regards Brian

Hi Dieter, Here is the complete photo.

Hi Tom, This one is bronze and measures 61mm in diameter. Regadrs Brian

I really liked the detail on the box catch and wanted you to see it as well. No attention to this sort of detail exists in today's world. I hope you enjoyed my newest addition. Regards Brian PS. Figured out why I said it had just docked. This is probably going to be an easy question especially for the First World War experts.

Here's the case. The bottom is black and in perfect condition. This whole specimen is in very good condition. Can anyone help with the wording on the box lid. I am guessing, but would it translate as War Ministry, or something of that manner?

Next is the reverse. This has the two crowns, I would have to assume one for each ruler and the wording "Viribus Unitis", which was the personal motto of Emperor Franz Joseph I and means "With United Forces". The dates 1914- 1915 can also be seen. There is no lettering on the rim, in case you were wondering. I forgot to mention that on the obverse behind Franz Joseph is stamped "R.NEUBERGER, WIEN 1915".

I just got this in and thought I would show it off. This is a 61mm table maedal complete with the original case. It's all pretty self-explanatory when you see the photos. So I'll address each photo as I post it. So, why would I say this has "just docked"? I'll post the medallion first and tell you the answer later on today or tomorrow. First up the obverse showing Kaiser Wilhelm II and Emperor Franz Joseph 1 with the usual Gott Mit Uns above.

Yet another amazing and interesting post Mervyn. Thanks very much for sharing it with us. Regards Brian