Brian Wolfe

Well compaired with my knowledge you are probably an expert. I'm pretty new to this Imperial German collecting so I need all the input and information I can get. Thanks for adding to the information on this bar, it is most appreciated. Regards Brian

Agreed. I too noticed this and found it interesting that the Saxony Medal would fall third on the bar, though I don't know much about the correct order of wear. If the EK were added to this group after the inital mounting of the three then the first medal would have been a veretan's assiciation medal (according to your suggestion) followed by the Saxony Medal then another association medal (this time the cross). That seems rather an odd combination to me. This is just an observation and not a argument for or against the suggestion that the Honour Cross with its ribbon replaced a earlier medal and ribbon. This is one group that certainly gives one pause to think about what may have taken place in the past making it much more interesting than a "perfect" bar, in my opinion. Regards Brian

Hi Dan, Man, how many of use have been there, and done that as the popular saying goes. I must say that in retrospect if I still had everything I had ever collected I'd need two houses just to be able to store the collection and still have somewhere to live. I sold my Lewis Gun and my 1896, red 9 broom handle mauser to my cousin and to this day I wish I had not done so. Alas, we can not go back and there are no "do overs" in life. At least you owned a Japanese helmet at one time as I owned my Lewis Gun and I guess to paraphrase the Bard, "Better to have collected and sold than to have never collected at all". I should be embarrassed to have written that considering I live 20 minutes from Startford Ontario and the Shakespearian Theater; on the other hand how can they call it a theater when they don't allow popcorn and soft drinks? I wonder what future high-end collectables are around today for a song? Better not to think about it too hard least we to an injury to our poor brains. Regards Brian

Hi Dan, This is a bit so sorry for this. As I read you last post I was thinking that I would ask if you'd post the mine fuse and low and behold you did. I love this sort of gadgetry! Thanks so much for posting it, I'm also glad you didn't sell it. Regards Brian

"If that's ok"? Man that is more than "ok". Very nice collection and thank you for sharing it with us. I'm sure many, including me, would like to see more and closer views. Regards Brian

Anything is possible, however the ribbon would not support this particular hypothecs. Regards Brian

CHRIS!!!!!! There's a word for fellows like you but mother would not approve. Regards Brian

Hi Dan, There is not enough room on this forum to list all of the stupid things I have done, and that's just if I stick to collecting. I am reminded of how financially easy it was to purchase Thrid Reich helmets in the 1950s and early 1960s and what the prices are today. Perhaps your DDR helment will follow the same path. Regards Brian

This is one of those topics where you can't really quote the statistics because part of the equation is missing, that being what if the bombs hadn't been dropped. Since the Japanese Air Force and the Navy had been effectivly destroyed, what if we had simply continued to bomb Japan into surrender. The "what ifs" can go on forever. One must take comfort in believing whichever scenairo you are willing to accept. When we look at this we can't simply say the "bomb" probably saved X number of Americans. The bomb probably ended up saving more Japanese lives than American, strange how such a horrific event may well have been a blessing for all involved. Respectfully submitted Brian

Hello Ulsterman, Thanks for your comment and I have decided to leave it as is. I was thinking about changing the cross for the medal and then I started to think that this was probably done by the veteran himself so a change would be sacrilege. Regards Brian

Hi Darrell, What a great photo! I really like these "then and now" pictures. Regards Brian

Hello Heiko, That cross had me looking for days with no luck. It does make me wonder if the actual long service medal was ever on the bar. If so I would be temped to look for one and restore the bar. Regards and thanks for your help. Brian

This is like waiting for ketchup to run from a new bottle...this anticipation is killing me!!!! Oh well...noting to do but wait. Regads Brian

This last photo is of the reverse of the cross showing the lettering which I think states the manufacturer's name and information. I have not gotten a translation so I could be a long way off base with this idea. Thanks for taking the time to look over my post and I look forward to hearing from the members regarding my questions, and any other comments you have. Regards Brian

Here is a closer view of the Bronze Friedrich August Medal and the cross I have questiones about.

This is the reverse. I believe it is in keeping with a period mount, however, you can see where the mounting pin starts and stops. The EK is to the right of where the pin ends which makes me think that this was added at a later date, though not in modern times. I would really like to hear your opinions. Regards Brian

Hello Everyone, I hesitate to say that I am getting better at spotting good Imperial medal bars though I have gained a great deal of information both through help from members on the forum and in PM conversations with fellow members. I say "hesitant" as I don't want to sound too vain until the members have a good look at this latest addition, an Imperial German/Saxony group. The bar looks old and I think it is a good one. The Iron Cross is three piece and of ferrous metal (magnetic core), however it was added on after the main bar of three was mounted. The EK is on a separate piece of metal that is the same as the metal that was used in the mounting of the other three. The stitching of the backing helps hold it together with the rest of the medals. You may be able to see this metal piece between the Honour Cross's sword tip and the upper left edge of the left-hand cross arm. The Honour cross ribbon is not as far below the bar as the other two. Yet it looks to have been mounted at the same time. The ribbons all seem to aged about the same amount. The Friedrich August Medal is of bronze which I have read was for enlisted men with the silver for officers and NCOs. Please correct me if that is wrong. The last medal, a cross, is one I have not yet found in my searches. It seems to be for 25 years of service and is mounted on the Saxony Long & Devoted Service ribbon. The reverse of the cross has, what I believe to be, the manufacturer's information. Would this cross be to a Veteran's Association? I've run across some Long Service crosses in my seraches but they look a lot different from this one. Any assistance or direction will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks Brian

Hello Josef, I too thought (and still think) it is silver. The toning of the metal would lead me to think this. However, there are no hallmarks anywhere on the medal. Also thanks for your opinion that this is a German medal. Hello Iver, This medal now resides with my Imperial German collection thanks to you and other members. I didn't mention it before but M&W St. is also on the obverse just between the bust of Emperor Franz Joseph I and the rim. Regards to all. Brian

Hi rujab, Very nice bar thanks for showing it. Regards Brian

Hello Heiko, Yes, it is a nice design and of good quality. I'm glad I purchased it for the collection even though it is unofficial. Regards Brian

Hi Iver, Wow, that was a quick response, thank you so much for the information. I would suspect that this, being a patriotic medal, is why I could not find any information on it. I was looking in areas dealing with military medals and awards. Would this have been worn on a medal bar with military medals? I would think "no" but I thought I would ask your opinion. Also, are these fairly common? Once again, thank you very much for the information. Regards Brian

This is the reverse. There is a lot going on in this scene and this is one of the things that attracted me to this medal. Thanks again for any assistance you can give me. Regards Brian

Here is a closer view of the obverse.

Hello Everyone, I just picked up this Austro-Hungarian medal and cannot find any information about it. I am thinking it is Austro-Hungarian due to the ribbon and the fact that Emperor Frnaz Joseph I is featured more prominently than the Kaiser. It seems to be silver and I believe the ribbon is correct as the hanger device is a wire the shape of the ribbon with the ends hooked in a manner to grasp the medal's loop. The reverse shows a battle and around the top is the wording, FELDZUG GEG. FRANKREICH, RUSSLAND, ENGLAND, U.S.W. Feldzug (Campaign) Geg. (no idea) Frankreich (France) Russland (Russia) England (England of course) U.S.W (no idea) The date 1914 is also on the reverse and the letters "M & W ST" appear just to the left of the fallen soldier. All the dealer knew (his best guess) was that it is a Regimental Medal. I really liked this medal especially the scene on the reverse, now I need more information; information I can't seem to find. Any help with the name of the medal, history and what GEG. and U.S.W. stands for would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure the date of 1914 pretty well places this medal as for some action in the early WWI era. Regards Brian

Hi David, If you're interested in selling it send me an email at brian.wolfe@bell.net and we can talk. You're not set up to use the Personal Messaging function here at GMIC yet. Regards Brian