landsknechte

I'm trying to prove or disprove a bit of an odd story... I picked up a German decoration (Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Great Cross). The seller stated that it was "Discovered in Athens, Greece and likely was presented to a late former Prime Minister whose estate the seller handled some time back." I cross referenced a database of Greek Prime Ministers and Verdienstorden recipients, and Georgios Papadopoulos was the lone Großes Verdienstkreuz match. He was awarded it in 1960 while he was a humble diplomat. The rest were awarded higher grades of the award, once they had achieved a higher office. As best I can tell, the award itself looks like one from the right era. Does anyone know if there was an auction where something like this might have been sold off at some point? Perhaps his widow selling off some of the clutter? Ultimately I bought it to complete a display for someone else entirely, so it's no great loss should it prove to be anonymous. However it's got a distinctive chip in the enamel that might show up in a catalog photo, so there might be a possibility. As an American with no knowledge of the Greek language and a similarly named American political figure clogging up the works, my search engine efforts have been fruitless thus far. Anyone know where I should look next?

Thanks!

I'm a complete neophyte in this area, and I'm trying to figure out the appropriate sword that would have been carried by enlisted men in the 11th Hussars in the immediate lead up to WW1. I'm not sure of the precise date of the attached photos, but AFAIK they're the correct unit around the same period. Any thoughts?

Yep. That's just the product of years of squinting at old German handwriting. I was able to track down a copy of an old book ("Verleihungen von militärischen Orden und Ehrenzeichen des Grossherzogtums Baden im Ersten Weltkrieg 1914-1918" by Erhard Roth) that listed the recipients of that award. The date isn't tied to his commission, it's the date of the award. I'm not enough of a Baden specialist to help out much beyond that.

From what I've got: Fritz Heydecke Leutnant d.R. in RIR 249 - award date 09.06.1915

Ernst has a long mustache... Since the original post, I reached out to the Bavarian Archives. They had a rather extensive file on him (~330 pages). I got a copy of his Offizierspersonalakt, and copies of a few photos of him taken from a few different albums. I haven't been able to track down any photos taken in the 20th century as of yet, and I'm curious as to the mustache he ultimately attained. Leutnant, 2. Fuß-Art.Rgt. (1882) Premierleutnant, 2. Fuß-Art.Rgt. (1889) Hauptmann, 2. Fuß-Art.Rgt. (1896) Hauptmann, 1. Fuß-Art.Regt. (1897)

I did contact him, but he was unable to change it. It might have been too close to the end of the auction.

That was one of Rick Lundström's bars. It was one of those sold at the Bene Merenti auction a number of years back, and it's in one he used in a certain rather contentious article. I don't know 100% that it's a unique attribution, but i looked Dr. Roediger in the Naval Ranklist, and everything seemed to line up. Even though the seller was willing to ship to this side of the pond, eBay was steadfast in not allowing me to bid due to location. Grr...

I've seen the decoration below described as the Greek Orthodox Order of St. Mark. I'm having very little success tracking info on it down thus far. Anyone know anything about this one? (This example isn't mine, but it's related to a group I'm researching.)

Thank you for the detailed response. You're absolutely right, about it being a WW1 veteran who ended up in the RAD. It's the guy discussed in this thread. I knew he had been wounded before in 1918. I just wasn't sure if the 1937 document was vouching for the 1918 injury, or describing a second one.

I know he was wounded in WW1, and received a black wound badge at the time. Does this suggest a second injury in 1937, or is it just a replacement document confirming that he's authorized to wear it, having been awarded it in the past?

You're corrupting me. On a lark, I tracked one down. I found one for sale here in the states. I expect that one of the street signs will be significantly more difficult...

Interesting pattern on the back, Looks like it might have been a tablecloth in a past life.

There's a bit more info on him in a regional wiki page, and the Bavarian Parliament's page, both of which were a great help with my write up. Additionally there's a book cataloging notable residents of Passau which include him. I've got that headed my way via interlibrary loan, and hopefully there'll be a bit more info in there.