landsknechte

Artillery-in-Law.... I gotta remember that one.

Couldn't have been that many folks that had the Legion of Merit and the Iron Cross...

Go ahead... Rub it in.

Adjusted for inflation and relative income (as much as can be done), how much did ribbon bars cost in the time period around WWI? How much more expensive were different styles (i.e. the Southern German double wrap, versus the "normal" style, etc.). I know this is a bit of an odd question, but I'm hopeful that someone out there with a few period catalogs might have already done the math to satisfy their own curiosity. --Chris

The stitching is the biggest give-away, IMHO. Always the same direction, spacing, and size of stitches. I've only been burnt on two ribbon bars, and baff002 sold me one of them...

Is it just me, or does that skull look a little embarassed?

..

For the moment, I can only dream of a ribbon bar with all three of the NSDAP long service medals...

Ignoring completely what the ribbons are, I think it's safe to say that the devices were added after the fact. I can't recall seeing any legit bars (although I'm sure there probably are some - especially if a decoration changed, and the change could be reflected by just slapping on a new device) where the prongs were poked through the backing like this. --Chris

If you're trying to keep people out of the package, the latter may not always have the desired effect...

A certain ribbon bar in there looks awfully familiar...

Sometimes a little comic relief is a good thing...

There's a fine line between collecting something, and wallowing in it. I daresay that line was just crossed... Wow. --Chris

Perhaps lending a bit of creedence to the presence of the wound badge in that group... --Chris

That's about as much as I was able to discern out of the whole thing. Hrm. Curiouser and curiouser...

...any clue what this is?

I think you might be thinking of the "Flower Wars" medals.

Did a little bit more digging based on that nudge there, and yep, it's the pre-1914 version of the ribbon in 4th place (which after the war started was awarded either with or without swords). Given the size of Reuss, there couldn't have been all that many possible recipients. --Chris

David... What is that plain purple ribbon on the bar with the Prussian War Merit and the Saxon St. Henry?

For reference, which ones were parts bars? I'm still in a bit over my head when it comes to medal bars. --Chris

They're rarer than hen's teeth, but they're perfectly within regulations. --Chris

Thanks!

What vintage is it? Thanks, --Chris

...anybody have a clue what the decoration on the far right is? --Chris

The only way I'd be able to afford a gold APB any time this century...