landsknechte

Ever since you got your paws on that grouping, it's piqued my curiosity... There are several possible candidates out there, but we now know that Weidinger's stuff survived to the present day. Perhaps in time, we might be able to balance out the distribution of ribbon bars at least a tiny bit more in favor of our corner of the continent. Not that I have any particularly evil plans. Of course not. 98.8% of the world's supply of MVK1XmKr bearing ribbon bars yet elude me. Mark my words, I shall have dominion! Oh. Excuse me. Was that out loud? Could they hear me? --Chris

Specifically pre-1934... A hideous long shot, I know, but I still have to ask. I have a simple little 3x ribbon bar that may have belonged to him. There's a device on there that is distinctive enough that an ID could be proven that way. --Chris

Again, that same stitching pattern... (I wish I could find the picture buried on my hard drive of the ribbon bar with the totenkopf device on the Ostfront ribbon.) --Chris

On the up side, at least the bad finish prevents us from seeing a reflection of him in der buff in the photographs of the items... --Chris P.S. Although, I've got to admit, it'd make a cool keychain if he'd kick the decimal place over two notches to the left.

Rotate it 90 degrees to the right, and that's the pic I ended up with.

Excerpted from the book that references him, that provides a little bit of background: In the spring of 1861 the State of Tennessee seceded from the Union; or rather, the Legislature and Governor Harris passed an ordinance of secession, and formed a league with the cotton States, contrary to the expressed will of the people. Soon after this a squadron of cavalry and a body of infantry were sent to Fentress county, Tenn., adjoining Clinton county, Ky. The citizens of the latter county considered this as a menace; but they were entirely helpless. No United States troops were in Kentucky, nor were any likely to be, as it was said that Kentucky's neutrality would be respected. The State authorities were known as secession sympathizers: General S. B. Buckner, commander of the State Guard, could not be relied upon. Here was a loyal people, who at that time could not receive the protection of either State or National Government! The citizens of Clinton county concluded to prepare for their own defence, if they should be attacked. A public meeting was held. Two companies were organized, one cavalry and on infantry. William A Hoskins was elected captain of the cavalry, J. A. Brents first lieutenant, J. P. Pickens second lieutenant, and J. A. Morrison third lieutenant. Anecdotal family history has him being KIA at some point, but I have not documentation of that as of yet. I've come across casualty lists for the 13th Cavalry that list one officer as being KIA, but nothing that says which one. Thanks for your help. --Chris

Yup... I'll second the hen's teeth comment. Looking closely at the photos that I had tucked away on my hard drive, I realized that the example that I had found (and saved the pics from wherever) was the exact same medal that you've got. The vaguely fingerprint-like pattern in the patina on the reverse gave it away. --Chris

...and here's a page that was posted elsewhere back when I was sniffing around investigating my little bar:

This second one (not mine, lifted the pic from the net) has thinner edge stripes that more closely reflect those on your decoration. I've only seen one other example of the Malta Order, so I can't really say whether or not there was any appreciable variation in the ribbons that they came with. There may have been some slight variation on the existing stock of Malta Order ribbons that were utlitzed for the Alwaloff, or perhaps the 4x decoration used original ribbon, and my 2x used some later stock. Can't say with an certainty, though. --Chris

I don't think there is any real connection other than Awaloff having created a self-styled "Sovereign Imperial Russian Chivalric Order of Malta" as the legitimizing authority behind his awards. I believe that he borrowed the ribbon of the established Order for his own purposes, if nothing else, to add a touch of legitimacy. --Chris Here's one example of what I am almost positive is the Awaloff on a ribbon bar:

Ralph, Be careful. I think they're breeding. --Chris

Perhaps I'll post some more when I can convince my scanner to play well with others. For the time being, I'll leave off with this:

Stumbled across a whole bunch of these a little while back:

Azad Hind:

Another one from the same series:

Please excuse the poor image quality. My scanner is being testy at the moment, and my digital camera is horrid at macro work.

Aaargh. Typoed the title of the subject.

I'm trying to research an ancestor of mine, perhaps the only one of the Civil War veterans amongst them that was high enough ranking to leave any sort of appreciable paper trail: John Archebald Morrison He served as a Lieutenant Colonel with the 13th Kentucky Cavalry, a Major with the 32nd Kentucky Infantry, and before that a Lieutenant and a as a Captain with the 1st Kentucky Cavalry. He makes a few appearances in the book "The Patriots and Guerillas of East Tennessee and Kentucky" written by one of his fellow officers from the 1st KY Cav in 1863. Beyond that, I've found precious little. Anything that anyone might be able to provide me with would certainly be welcome. Thanks, --Chris

Great find. I've been eye-balling those ever since they first appeared on eBay. At the time, I didn't really go after them because there was no way that I could have afforded to win the entire bunch of them (they were all being sold separately). I'm glad that Stogierick was able to rescue the group, and I'm glad to know that they went to a good home. I only have one ribbon bar with a Turkish decoration, a Wurttemburg bar with the "Iron Halfmoon". That bar device is gorgeous. --Chris

Another one that bears a striking similarity, this time from a different seller on eBay with an equally stellar reputation. Excerpted from his listing: FOR YOUR INFORMTION, I hide all my eBay auctions as PRIVATE. This measure is solely intended for the increase of your security. In the past, some of my customers have been contacted by fraudulent "sellers" with offers of similar or identical items. I believe that my bidders have a right to privacy and not to be solicited by fraudulent entities. Funny. I had always thought that private auctions on anything other than porn were generally a bad thing. I feel a little bit better now that he has informt me to the contrary. --Chris P.S. You may now commence snickering.

Excellent read there. Thanks for posting it. ...although I've got to ask, just how long is your commute?!? --Chris

It's all part of the hazing rituals standard to the initiation into any secret society. Just wait until they get to the part with the jello and the ping-pong balls... --Chris

Tell me about it.... What's that last ribbon on the bar in post #29? Never seen that one before. --Chris

Spange Bob? (Sorry, it was just so there...)

The pin arrangement is a bit unusual, but certainly not anything that would set off any alarm bells. This one has a flatter pin, but more or less the same arrangement. --Chris