Yankee

Hi Palencia Glade to have been of some help. Always a good sign when the iron is inserted under the crown . Your badge looks to be gold, either way a very nice example.

Hi Palencia Always my belief that all WWI bronze gilt examples should have the asterisk no matter who the manufacturer was. After the war they were to be exchanged ( only with asterisk ) for a gold one. Since the Austrians were defeated it was no longer possible. The examples found without the asterisk were post war replacement or copies. If I stand to be corrected than my apologies. Good collecting.

Tim B's remark on a thread for copies is a wonderful idea, I suspect there are enough good quality fakes to flood any capital city. Just saw a dangerous copy of an early type St.Stephen Knight in gold being auctioned by Rauch. The only thing I found wrong was the reverse center wreath being not hand painted. Perhaps in the hand there would be other issues that would cause concern. One needs a very strong stomach and an excellent library collecting rare A-H awards.

Artist had tropical sunset in mind.

Hi Pavel Solid silver issued examples is exactly what I meant to say. It would be logical to think that war time issued pieces would only be silver-plated, zinc & etc. As you kindly pointed out this was not the case. I did not notice any silver hallmarks on the example to the airship officer. Any idea how many were awarded in the non solid silver. I have never noticed a seller describing the metal content for these medals. Perhaps they are in the dark like me or the values are nearly the same and not worth to mention the fact. Hi Tim I think it would be nearly impossible to identify the recipient. The Austrians for the most part only engraved the unit, never a name. A friend has one inscribed to the GENERAL STAFF and I do not recall an actual name or date being present. There would have been dozens assigned to that post. Perhaps in the Vienna archives there is a list of names for all staff positions. It was popular with the Austro/Hungarians to decorate their award cases and sometimes a dedication would be placed but not on the medal itself. So a case could be more sought after than the medal. Sincerely Brian

Hi Gentlemen In fact I also thought it was a bit odd to have swds on one ribbon & not the other. I had always assumed it was a pair. If they were not given to the same officr then it would explain why there are no swds on the other bravery ribbon. The swds are not so well secured to the ribbon and it could be a possibility that at one time the swds had been placed and over time just fell off or the ribbon had just been replaced. As far as I know all Signum Laudis medals were issued without an inscription on the rim. It would be the friends of the recipient to take it upon themselves to present such a nice gesture. Exactly what makes British medals so much fun to collect is that you can always be sure of a name. I was told by another collector that their are fake inscribed Signum Laudis medals out there so be careful... I was told by another collector that there are solid siver Signum Laudis examples but not sure when they would have been awarded. Sincerely Yankee

Silver Cross of the Dannebrog Order from the time of Christian IX. Given as a further award for those who already had the Order itself and can also be awarded as an independent decoration. This would explain why so many prominent military and civil servents are seen sporting the Silver Cross.

Hi Michel Many thanks for kindly correcting me, always appreciate learning something new every day. As I understand in the Legion most of the soldiers were foreigners and usually the officers would be French. Because this was a crack regiment I suppose an officer's transfer into the unit would be an honor especially if he was assigned. I was thinking he volunteered for the Mexican adventure since a good many were in need for the service of Maximilian Shocked to learn the Legion suffered nearly two thousand casualties in the Mexican campaign. Those Mexican Eagle orders are super scarce unfortunately there are some later made pieces that you have to watch out for. Sincerely Brian

That is one you can't easily forget. Certainly worth pursuing. Good luck :cheers:

First quarter 19th century. It is a knight 1st class. Very rare & fantastic condition considering the age. Great find Yankee

As requested

Hi Michel The research you had provided me on Laurent Tuillier is just a fantastic wealth of info What an amazing career he had, being present at key areas of conflict during that tumultuous time in history. Fascinating that he joined the Foreign Legion to fight in Mexico especially coming from a line regiment. Or was that a common practice to take leave of absence from the regular army & make an adventure to Mexico and join the Legion? He certainly was a very brave man. I also thought it a bit unusual to have Monsieur addressed, suppose one of the reasons why I liked the medal it made it a bit more personal. There were some nice AVM's to be sure, this was the only one I noticed inscribed on a Batalion level which I thought most interesting. Perhaps he was very proud of being in the Grenadiers, since their was only one to each regiment & made a personal request to the jeweler to be included. I too at first was thinking of the Guards when I saw GREN RS but then was informed it was short for Grenadiers. Also noticed the line above and below the inscription, great you have one also to the same regiment. Interesting that engraver's trademark for the 72 regiment are the two bars.... Thanks for describing the other awards he had received. Any chance that he might have also received the Emperor Maximilian Military Merit Medal? Or the answer for that would be either in Mexico City or Vienna State Archives. The reason why I like AVM's are the lack of fakes out there compared to German States or am I wrong and need to be really careful with elite units & just how good are the fakes? Are the forgers using real blank AVM's or are the AVM's cast & electro plate copies? The piece did come from a fine auction firm that can be viewed over the net. Maybe this is the same piece I don't know there are two inscriptions one on the Bat level for GREN other Reg level. Thanks for confirming that MR Tuillier was with the 72nd. Ahhh you must have an amazing research library. Again appreciate your time & helpfulness. Most Sincerely Brian

Hi Andre Please disregard my questions on rank, your explaination was fine, I just didn't think clearly. Thats what happens not having enough sleep & trying to do to many things at once Sincerely Brian

Hi Andre Thanks for informing me which battle he ( regiment ) participated in to receive his AVM. Glade you made me aware that Tuillier was his rank and not his name. I had just assumed that was his last name since MR was addressed in front. On the second line thinking LAURENT was his first name. So it turns out that LAURENT is his last name. His rank Tuillier & S.Lieutenant is both inscribed on the reverse which is a bit confusing or is that normal practice? Thanks for directing me to the sites. Took the wrong second language in school. Sincerely Brian

Dear Gentlemen Can anybody provide information on Lieutenant Tuillier or his regiment. Thanks in advance. MR TUILLIER LAURENT S.LIEUTENANT 3 EB GREN RS 72 DE LIGNE

Hi Magician Either pre WWI before the Airservice was called "Luftfahrt" or awarded for the Zeppelin division sometime between 1914-16. I'm not 100% certain on this however. I would think both medals would be awarded to the same guy since the inscription is exact.

Thanks Wild Card. If they are still in that business & have somebody who can do blue color enamel repairs will let members know. Unfortunately this is beyond a touch up with a do it yourself enamel kit ( internet ) but probably all the old enamel would have to be removed and start again. Sincerely Yankee

Dear Gentleman Two Signum Laudis with the same inscription to an airship officer. Small capital letters engraved along the edge, "SEINAM KAMERADEN DAS OFFIZIERSKORPS DER LUFTSCHIFFERABTEILUNG"

Thanks for the tip . What color enamel did they repair? I suspect living in a high humidity environment does not help such delicate enamel work. Perhaps a climate controlled room might be an answer. More flakes after this three year old foto taken. I seldom hold it just comes off on its own. Sincerely Yankee

Will do certainly don't want to make it worse. I've seen excellent white enamel restoration jobs but blue enamel I understand has some dangerous ingredients which perhaps is the reason restoration experts shy away. Thanks Sincerely Yankee

Greetings An old Eduard Quellhost knight 2nd class, that has been around the mill. Anybody know of a fine jeweler who can restore this type of enamel work. Alternative is to do nothing and let the piece disintegrate to a skeleton.