Claudio

This is a group that was snapped under my nose... too bad! I would like to share the picture with you. That's a very early one! Here is the description of the medals: - Roter Adler Orden, 4. Kl. mit Schwertern mit Ritzmarken AW - Alsen-Kreuz 1864 am Band f?r Kombattanten - D?ppeler Sturm-Kreuz 1864 am Bande f?r die Reserve-Truppen (1865) - Erinnerungskreuz 1866 f?r Treue Krieger, 1866-1867 - Kriegsdenkm?nze 1864 f?r Kombattanten - Milit?r-Verdienstmedaille mit Randgravur (!!!). Exceptionally rare this last medal. The medal has been named to the wearer and on the rim of the medal there is following inscription: KNGL PREUS SEC LT FAUST D?PPELER SCHANZEN 1864. That is quite a sweat detail, since 99% of German Imperial medals weren't named (with exception of the Baden Tapferkeitsmed.). The medal bar came with the picture of the wearer and a trapezoidal ribbon bar. Ciao, Claudio

...a big one...

... another one.

Here is my contribution Rick:

Hi Ulsterman, It's the Bavarian Ludwigs-Orden (1827-1918), Ehrenkreuz... pretty rare Nimmergut (OEK # 437) lists it on his 2001/02 catalogue for Euro 3'323.- (made in Gold). I never saw an original one, just pictures from a collection of one in a spectacular Bavarian medal bar. It must be quite a rare order, awarded for high civil merits, I think. I am sorry not to know more about it, since I do not have the proper reference's book at hand. Ciao, Claudio

Hi Rick (the good one ), Thanks to you. Actually I had it on my watch list, but you were so positive about the fact that it could be Flaccus' ribbon bar, since this is quite a unique combination (see that KVK without swords) that I couldn't resist. Thank you again; the ribbon bar looks even better "life"... Ciao, Claudio

Fortunately you didn't buy it because Rick (the evil twin) told me that it belongs to this bar... (see below) Ciao, Claudio

Hi everybody; Just got it in the mail today. What do you think? Ciao, Caludio

...not to mention that the Rumanian Crown Order is the 2nd type give from the late thierties on. Very strange; all orders are supposed to have been awarded during WWI and this medal bar has that Rumanian order but no Ehrenkreuz f?r Frontk?mpfer. Also interesting is the fact that this bar has been put together in easier "fakable" Bavarian style. I wouldn't even touch it... Ciao, Claudio

Hi Gordon, It's quite a typical post 1934-35 Saxon NCO's bar (Unteroffizier). Very nice bar in good condition. Very likely he was a sort of state functionary (Beamter) since he got the Saxon long service medal (4th medal) and the Treuedienst-Ehrenzeichen 1. Stufe (25 Years, last medal) of the 3rd Reich. Practically the Ehrenzeichen f?r Frontk?mpfer (3. Reich, 3rd medal from left), the Hungarian WWI commemorative medal (5th medal) and the Bulgarian WWI commemorative medal (6th medal) were given for the same purpose: to indicate that he participated as an active front-soldier to WWI. To obtain the 5th and 6th medal you just had to fill in some paperwork and forward it to the competent consular section of the concerned country and be able to prove that you served in WWI on the same front where either Hungarian or Bulgarian troops were involved. Ciao, Claudio

@ Glenn: beautiful examples, especially the one named... beautiful time-period "Gravur"!!! @ Les: Great example, as well. I am still looking for an Iron Cross 1st class with side hooks... very rare and desirable! Ciao, Claudio

Dear Rick, Interesting what you say about Hutier's construction system; I would have liked to see personally. It wasn't mentioned on Thies catalogue's description. About Wedding's photograph; I am afraid Thies sold only the medal bar with the ribbon bar. I got the picture from a previous thread on the WAF. Ciao, Claudio

Hi Mike, I can't reply to your question, since I do not have the necessary reference books with Wedding's data, but I can show you the Admiral wearing a previous medal bar (see many 20ies veterans' decorations) with already the British Order of St. Michael & St. George. Ciao, Claudio

@Heiko: Hutier's medal bar went for Eur 3'800.-, Eur 200.- more than the starting price: not much if you ask me. He was a PLM mit Eichenlaub-Tr?ger nevertheless. I hesitated to bid on it, because I didn't like how the RK St. Heinrich Orden was mounted... it looks like the medal bar was restored. Furthermore beautiful the last order of Hutier's bar: Hessen-Darmstadt Ludewigs-Orden, very rare, but unfortunately with "Emaillesch?den"...

Another superb bar with all three Hanseatic crosses!

This was a magnificent bar... I was at Thies auction and had the pleasure to view it (and touch it) personally! There was no taylor label on the reserve (red backing), but to me it was a beautiful and typical Godet construction and it was even a bit convex to follow the shape of the cheast. Enjoy... and merry Christmas!!!

Hi Bob! I've got one, too!

No, please by all means show more and don't dare delete your post. It's a great little-big bar!

@ Bob: sorry, I forgot to mention that the first medal I posted is from Nassau.

A nice Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse in Gold of the Duchy of Brunswick (Braunschweig). Only 1'859 times awarded. With the marks S 585 of Hofjuwelier Friedrich Siebrecht. Enjoy...

Thanks Gerd... here another one; a very elegant looking slightly convex cross with a silver mark 800 on the reverse.

Another nice little "Orden des Ehrenkreuz, Verdienstkreuz 2. Klasse" from the small state of Lippe-Detmold, only 699 times awarded!

Dear imperialoids, There are quite a few medals or small merit crosses given to NCO or soldiers, which are not desirable or less know to the big public, but very rare indeed for numbers of bestowal. Many of them have a very delicate and well thought design. I am posting the first for you a medal of a little German State. This Duchy disappeared from the German map when it was taken by the Kingdom of Prussia after the Campaign of 1866. This medal was given to all in 1909 still living NCOs and soldiers (3'228 times awarded). The silver medal is much rarer and it was given only to officers (less than 30!). Enjoy and don't hesitate to post your little "BIG" medal... Ciao, Claudio

The second is a very special iron cross with a very complicated "pin system" on the reverse. These are really scarce and are very desirable for iron cross' collectors. Ciao, Claudio P.S.: size: 43.5 mm x 43.5 mm, weight: 21.7 g

Dear all: I would like to post some very nice iron crosses I have the pleasure to own. The iron cross 1914 was produced in many different variations; that makes it so interesting! I am always looking to get a particular cross, with its unique design, construction type and material. I hope with this to stimulate a healthy exchange of knowledge; therefore, don't hesitate to post yours! I begin with my first iron cross (maker GODET!) I bought it back in 1986 by post (there was no picture on the catalogue) for about DM 55.-. Back then it was a lot of money for a 18 years young collector! Ciao, Claudio P.S.: size: 42.5 mm x 42.5 mm, weight: 17.3 g