Peter J

Rick, this is really not my cup of tea, but the 1st class apparently is being faked. These two were recently sold as copies. The 1st class with "50" in gold and the 1st class golded silver, both accordingly marked. Scary stuff KR Peter

Rick, I share your confusion, it's the first time I've ever seen it mentioned. Still it's offered as a unique item. But it's SWEEEET KR Peter

Guys, here's something you'll hardly see again. This 1st class Freedom cross with mourning ribbon (only 1 awarded!) is now being offered by Holmasto in Finland. So if you can spare 10.000 euro, go for it KR Peter

Welcome Greg , don't forget to bring on the minis KR Peter

Thanks Christohe, I made an incorrect assumption by comparing it with George's image, so I took a closer look in my reference books. In Wehrlich's "Orders.....all Nations", the image apparently is mirrowed, the gems looks the same as the rest of the award in that b/w photo. George, if you check the other side, I bet the gems are violet coloured. I noticed another thing when I studied "Orders,Medals and decorations of Britain and Europe" by Paul Hieronymusse. Both classes shown, Commander and Officer, lacked the gems all together. Is this consistent with all 1955 model awards? KR Peter

Gentlemen, here's a miniature that came in a sweet little hinged case, produced by G. Lemaitre in Paris. It differs from the one posted by George i.e. the left twig is overlaping right. I also think this mini is mounted with the reverse exposed. KR Peter

Hi Paul, Thanks for your attempt to enlighten me, but I think we have a small misunderstanding here. My response was in reference to Laurence's post #47 and that one surely isn't blue, rather the same as mine i.e. secondary colour red. My real dilemma is to differentiate green from brown. Laurence, in these days, when Christmas is knocking on the door, brothers shouldn't be separated. Please pm me your snail-mail address KR Peter

Laurence, my colour sight isn't the best, but think this a twin to your's KR Peter

Not a Yugoslavian award per se, but I thought you might enjoy this little pin KR Peter

Christophe, that's a very informative summary. One minor question, apart from Foreign Minister Ribbentrop, did any other German national recieve the DAO? KR Peter

Mother of pearl, that's sweet . Why not throw in one with black enamel. Is it fair to assume this is a private purchase as well? KR Peter

3rd image

2nd image

Anyone care to comment on these images? KR Peter

Why not an image of a LW SC holder KR Peter

Hi Jacques, Here are two minis, one die-struck bronze Deumer in excellent condition. The pin has been removed and a suspension ring was attached for wear on chain (the ring has fallen off). The other is also die-struck, has a pin with curls that doesn't attract me, poor details and cut off swords. I don't like it a bit, so what's your opinion on this? KR Peter

eagles

Sorry wrong image

Here's my latest purchase, never seen this one before either. Also a couple of different eagles. The 4 and 18 eagles appears to be from different dies and the 4 and 8 eagles from the same. KR Peter

Thanks John, here's a shot of the very same. P.s. I've sent you a pm d.s. KR Peter

I couldn't agree more KR Peter

John, could you please post an image of the Wernstein logo you're refering to, so I know what we are talking about. KR Peter

Mike, after all I think we're on the same page here, or at least reading the same book . KR Peter

Hi Mike, I contemplated sending you a pm in order to solve any possible missunderstandings in this thread, but decided to take this opportunity and ventilate another issue as well. After a few years presence on the WAF, I'm used to intensive debates over various topics. I have to admit that I haven't quite figured out the climate on this Gentlemen's Forum, given the lack of critical comments. Please believe me when I say that I'm not heretic, but I'll persuade the truth if I don't find enough parameters to form an opinion of my own. I hope there will be room for this attitude here as well Four individuals responded to this thread, three of us had issues with the drilled through rivets. Perhaps this is general knowledge and we are just ignorant. I stated incorrectly that I've only known about this type for year, I actually saw it in IMM 1998, imaged in an article about numbered PAB's.There was no verbal explaination in regards of this specific production method. Well, the same publication stated two issues later that the flat backed, ball pinned Aurich PAB was original. Consequently the reliability in this source is questionable. Angolia was also mentioned, so I checked it up. I far as I can see there are only a 75 and 25 pictured and I'll strucked by a lightning if there are any rivets coming up on the obverse Mike, the issue here is not whether this type exists or not, it's not for me to argue about, given my limited knowledge in it. It's the sources that provide me with further knowledge. You have provided me with a couple of more places to look into and that's a good start, thanks for helping out KR Peter

Hi Mike, The general essence of what your saying is undisputed, also very nicely put. Research is important and questioning the obvious is not a good way of collecting. The more information I collect, the easier it is to form an opinion of my own. If something on the other hand doesn't make any sense to me, I'll follow it up. I remember what Frank said once: "Anyone can write a book". My question about "general knowledge" was not related to the actual badge, only the specific production method of drilled through pins. I consider myself an amateur, but in more than 30 years of collecting, I became aware of this type just a year ago. A reference to veterans is a good start, as we both know not always rock solid proof though. Information found in reference books is another, great source but not always correct. And of course this great F orum. Here's a small reminder that information should always be analyzed, regardless of how old it is. This image was published in The Medal Collector, Official publication of the Orders and Medals Society of America, June 1964. Since there were no other specimen available for comparison, this piece was tentatively classified as 1b. We all know nowdays that this is a fairy tail, but this info was undisputed until at least 1968 in this very monthly publication. KR Peter