Claudio

Rick, Bob, this is really a great thread... what a thrill! It's incredible how the world is "small" and it is still possible, thanks to very helpful and highly skilled and enthusiastic serious collectors, to track down such almost impossible to find names to put to ribbon or medal bars. That's why I have an always growing amount of files on my computer and a large collection auction catalogues in my library; Many groups have been split in auctions, by dealers or by collectors. You never know when such collectibles might come up to the light and be re-united again with your medal or ribbon bar. That makes it so interesting and exciting. Sometimes you need to wait years, sometimes less... Even more interesting for me, since this medal bar resides in my collection now (thank you Bob! I owe you one ). This time I was fortunate enough. other times not so much. For instance, last week I sold on the e-stand here on this very forum (a medical navy officer bar) a unnamed medal bar. Just when somebody contacted me for selling it, somebody else posted the name of the real owner of the bar. Too bad! But at least it went to a good home and now has a name on it! That's the most important! I am looking forward to read more about the owner of this bar... can't wait!!!! Caio, Claudio

Thanks for your comments! I was thinking that for a cross that it has been made about 180 years ago, the accuracy of the details on the reverse is pretty damn good. They surely knew their job, the manufacturers of such crosses. Such things impress me very much. Ciao, Claudio

IC Prinzengr?sse, front & back:

IC Prinzengr?sse, enamelled, back:

IC Prinzengr?sse, enamelled, front:

Detail FR Iron Cross, reverse 2:

Detail FR Iron Cross, reverse:

Detail FR Iron Cross, obverse:

The trio, reverse:

Dear forum members: I am glad to announce to addition in my collection of three not often seen Iron Crosses: - a marker marked Iron cross 1st class 1914 "Fr" Friedl?nder, on the reverse Vizefeldwebel Rick, 1. Kp/Inf.Regt. 126 - a Prinzen-Sized Iron cross 1st class 1914 - a Prinzen-Sized Iron cross 1st class 1914, enamelled with Silver content markings Your comments on these newly adquired IC of mine are most welcome! Ciao, Claudio Pictures: the trio, obverse

from the side:

Obverse:

Dear fellow collectors: I have been waiting for a long time before having the chance to add an IC 2nd class 1813 to my collection. Finally that moment has arrived. Herewith I submit to your comment my cross. Clearly it is not one of the crosses manufactured immediately after the creation of this order in 1813. Maybe 1830-40? Any serious comment is highly appreciated. Now I let the pictures do the talking... Enjoy!! Ciao, Claudio

Kevin, Since you have shown interest to view my brother's WWII ribbons combinations, I will show them here. Enjoy! Ciao, Claudio

Hi Christian! Nice combined ribbons. Also my brother has some WWI.... but more WWII ones. Here the WWI. Ciao, Claudio

Hi everybody, I know for sure that a well-known family Loeb (with this spelling not ?) in Bern who owns a store chain is Jewish. I wouldn't be surprised that also in Germany there many Jewish families with that surname (like also Weiss or Weisz, etc.). Ciao, Claudio

Hi Pat, That medal is the "deutsche Ehrendenkm?nze des Weltkrieges" (German Honor Medal of the World War), listed in Niemann's catalogue 2005 (2.02.18 a/b) for 15 USD/Euro + 10 USD/Euro for the swords device (Kampfabzeichen der Ehrenlegion, Front Badge of the Honor Legion). Actually these are quite often seen on the market or at the Militaria shows and it's not an uncommon unufficial award. Ciao, Claudio

Hi Pat, These are not German Shooting badges. These are just sport commemorative badges from Switzerland. Also my Grandfather had many of these, since he was active in the local Gymnastics' Club in Lugano (Switzerland). There are just souvenirs badges for members of such clubs that went to attend regional sport events (see the names on the badge, these are cities in Switzerland) to perform gymnastic excercises with their clubs/associatens during. I don't know the value of these badges, but I am afraid there are not much worth, since I don't know if people collect them. Ciao, Claudio

Hi Steve, Thanks for your kind words. @ Joe: I don't think you can translate "drool" in Italian, but I surely appreciate when collectors like you make such nice compliments on my collectibles. The clasp on my bar looks like silver but it's Black painted, because of the flash. I only saw Black "Vor dem Feinde" clasps. Here's a better picture of the bar. Ciao, Claudio

Hi Pat, In my opinion such veterans' crosses of the twenties are quite rare, since there were inofficial and were awarded/given during a very limited period. All such crosses, especially the enameled or those with battle clasps are increasing in value, since many collectors are shifting their focus on such still less known and less expensive medals. Niemann doesn't have it on his 2005 catalogue. Maybe there will be on his next catalogue. On the Orden & Ehrenzeichen catalogue of Mr. Nimmergut these veterans' medals or crosses aren't mentioned and I don't know why. Maybe because there weren't official. There were so many issued and by so many units in different shapes and design that there isn't yet a complete reference book or catalogue about them. The Bavarian you're showing I like it very much. I have it also in a Veteran's medal group. Great little veteran cross... Ciao, Claudio

another bar... this a time of a Saxon Officer of the reserve.

My FAK1, typical and most common design, still good looking! I am looking for a FAK1 with screwback... these are tough to find!

Another bar with a FAK2. Oberst N?sslein got both, 1. and 2. Klasse! 8-teilige Ordensspange des Obersten Joseph N?sslein (Stand Januar 1939: Oberst (E), Kdr des Wehrbezirkskommando IV, M?nchen) ? Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse 1914 (OEK 1909) ? Bayern, Milit?rverdienstorden 4. Klasse mit Krone und Schwertern (OEK 412), leeres Band ? Oldenburg, Friedrich-August-Kreuz 2. Klasse (OEK 1563) ? Ehrenkreuz f?r Frontk?mpfer (OEK 3803/1) ? Bayern, bronzene Luitpold-Medaille (OEK 461) ? DA 1. Klasse f?r 25 Dienstjahre (OEK 3852) ? DA 3. Klasse f?r 12 Dienstjahre (OEK 3854) ? Erinnerungsmedaille an den 13. M?rz 1938, Anschluss ?sterreich (OEK 3516) From the Kriegsarchiv in M?nchen (Reichswehr's Rangliste) Oberst Joseph N??lein (1884 - ?) ? Leutnant, 08.03.1907 ? Oberleutnant, 18.08.1914 ? Rittmeister (Kriegsbef?rderung), 17.08.1916 / 27.01.1915 Reichsheer Bef?rderungsdatum ? Oberst, 1939 Leiter des Wehrbezirkskommando IV, M?nchen Auszeichnungen : Friedrich-August Kreuz 2. Klasse, 12.05.1917 Friedrich-August Kreuz 1. Klasse, 10.11.1917 MVO4X mit Krone, 09.05.1918 Einheiten / Stellungen : ? Bayrisches Train-Bataillon Nr. 1 ? Bayrisches Telegrafsbataillon Nr. 1 (bespannt), 1913 ? Reichsheer Transport (Fahrabteilung) Bataillon 7, 1921-1928 ? ? Leiter Wehrbezirkskommando IV, M?nchen 1939

Hi everybody, Here's a medal bar with the FAK2 (sounds bad, I know...) and clasp "vor dem Feinde". I must say that the condition of this bar is mint! Medals' description: ? Preussen, Eisernes Kreuz 1914, 2. Klasse (OEK 1909) ? Oldenburg, Friedrich August Kreuz 2. Klasse mit Spange ?vor dem Feind? (OEK 1563) ? III. Reich, Frontk?mpferehrenkreuz (OEK 3803/1) ? Oldenburg, Haus- und Verdienstorden von Herzog Peter Friedrich Ludwig, Ritterkreuz 2. Klasse (OEK 1523) ? III. Reich, WH-Dienstauszeichnung f?r 25 Jahre, Kreuz (OEK 3852) ? III. Reich, WH-Dienstauszeichnung f?r 12 Jahre, Medaille (OEK 3854) ? Italien, Erinnerungsmedaille des Erdbebens in Messina 1908 Wearer's description: Biographical data of Kapit?ns zur See (E), Gerhard Meyer: Born on 03.01.1889, entered Navy on 01.04.1908. As Seekadett, he was onboard SMS Victoria Louise in the Messina relief campaign. Leutnant 27.09.1911 J5i, Oberleutnant 19.09.1914, Kapit?n-Leutnant 18.8.1918 and was an officer on the SMS Pillau in WW1. He commanded the "Friedrich August Batterie" of XII. Matrosen-Artillerie Abteilung until November 1918 and then as a Watch and the Gunnery Officer on S.M.S. "Pillau" for the rest of the war.He advanced to Korvettenkapit?n 01.04.1927 in the Reichsmarine, Fregattenkapit?n 01.10.1932. His final grade was charakterisiert Kapit?n zur See (E) 30.9.34, in which he was "active" in 1937 on the staff of the Reichs War Ministry, Naval High Command, Abteilung f?r Artillerieentwicklung und Konstruktion ("M Wa I") of the Marinewaffenamt. The pre-war 1939 M.O.V. Directory shows him as "zD" but still there, with his office phone number. He went z.D. in 1940. In 1960 he was living with his wife Marie Luise (born 8.6.1XXX) at Breitestrasse 13, Berlin-Steglitz, and was a sales representative of the "CDH" bedding company of Bochum, specializing in quilts, mattresses and so on. By 1963 he had re-retired from that job, and was living at 15 Hortenstrasse 20B, Berlin 15. Kapit?n zur See au?er Dienst Gerhard Meyer died 17 August 1980.

Hi Stogie, If you want you can move the thread. However the medal bar is not phisically with me... so I post some largers scans I had on file. Ciao, Claudio