Yankee

Hi Saschaw It was only awarded to non-commissioned officers & lower ranks. They were frequently awarded to foreigners as well. Did see one awarded in gold to an English group but the norm is silver gilt. The medal is more rare then the order & the Non Christian type is super duper rare

Hi Jacky That is a very likely possibility since the St. Anne ribbon was widely used on other medals. I apologize for not being clear it was the medal ( badge of honour ) to the St. Anne order that I was thinking on. Thanks for that Sincerely Yankee

Ooops my mistake, he disposed of his St.Anne but decided to keep his Serbian decoration that is odd Sincerely Yankee

Nice bar, certainly is the correct ribbon for the St. Anne order or the medal which I strongly doubt. Prior to WWl this combination could very well be.

Hi Wild Card Thanks a bunch for all that helpful info, certainly a lot to digest. I had always been curious why some badges would have swords on ring and others of the same class on bottom so as I understand now when he was promoted to a higher class of the order as a mark of distinction his swords would also be elevated. I assume these same rules would apply to the Prussian order system which I find extremely complex. In some examples I see ( Prussian ) swords awarded twice on the same badge, through the center & on ring. Since the swords were awarded so sparingly ( Brunswick ) in WWl was it given out as a military order to soldiers without swords & only for the most heroic acts of courage the swords were added? Or was Henry The Lion basically a civil order that is why not so many swords awarded? Fascinating that the swords were planned to be of a different metal from the rest of the badge and as you say blends in. Which it does beautifully, certainly one of the most striking orders ever designed, the heraldry just flows all over. Thank you Sincerely Yankee

Hi Wild Card I see clearly what you are saying in how easily the swords can be damaged by having the swords below the cross. I'm surprised Brunswick did not follow the other German States & run the swords above the crown. Your point is excellent to show the swords as military and for all to see, then it would be advantageous on the bottom. What is interesting it took nearly 40 years to make the change, wonder why so long? I suppose a great amount of swords were given out in WWl... I saw one with gold swords that beonged to a knight 2nd class that ran through the center, an order with many combinations. Thank you for showing me your knight the way it should be Sincerely Yankee

More Detailed

Hi Jacky Ow yeaaa Andreas's site is fantastic Never thought of private purchase that would explain seldom seen, thanks for that. Sincerely Yankee

Hi Doc Wish I knew more but I'm at a dead end. Hoping there is a Brunswick specialist out there who has come across these. Maybe a trial model, prototype that just never took off. Sincerely Yankee

Dear Members Would any collector have any ideas why the reverse to a Henry knight's order be without enamel. The badge itself seems to be nicely made of old quality. Perhaps intended for a medal bar or economy piece. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Hi Ricardo That would make sence, since one sees mostly knights since they were more awarded. Now I wonder if the same rule applies for the Southern Cross. Take a look at Morton&Eden part 3, there is a nice selection of Brazilain material . Sincerely Yankee

Hi Jorge Thanks for the info, every bit helps for there is very little info on this uncommon medal. I was surprised to see King Pedro V to see wearing the medal as you say must have had an active participation in the crisis. I think they were also awarded in gold but that was probably reserved to the King and a few select others. Perhaps awarded in the same conditions as the Hong Kong Plague Medal. There might already be an article out in the Instituto Georgrafico Portugues Museu on the subject, hoping the author will remember to send me out a copy. Sincerely Yankee

Hello Gentlemen Over the past few years every now and then I'd see a Rose come up for sale & for the life of me could never distinguish the difference between a Oficial ( Officer ) & Cavaleiro ( Knight ). Always had crown & a good many were issued in both classes. Can any member please shed some light. Thanks

Dear 922F Thanks for all that amazing info history , sounds like Queen Ranavalona was as generous in awarding as Ferdinand of Bulgaria but not as nice. The badge is silver gilt with gold centers. I did notice a hallmark on the ring so perhaps the jeweler can be identified. Sincerely Yankee

Hello to all Here are pictures of the Order of Merit, established in 1861 by King Ramada ll, it seems based on the French order system ( 2nd Empire Period ) with rosette, crown & center bust of the King. In 1863 King Ramada ll was assassinated and the order became abolished . Does anybody know if the order was primarily given for civil acts or military. Was it mostly awarded to the local populace or Europeans who were stationed in the Kingdom? Excuse delay for pictures

Thanks once again for the amazing insight on the Dukes & Princes on their military service, some have lead fascinating lives. Prince Johann Georg of Saxony would be a great read. It seems not the exception but the norm that manny a fine soldier went over to the service of God. After four years of the most horrific fighting one would persue a life dedicated for peace & spirituality.

I'm amazed to learn how so active the Royalty was in serving the Wurttemberg militaty. So many Duke's in leadership roles. I suppose it was the same in all the German States. I wonder if they had to go through the same vigorous training as other officers, was advancement easier since they were related to the King. I take it in Germany or any Kingdom at the time, the choice profession for the aristocracy was the military. Amazing how Dule Carl Alexander did a 180 degree turn in his life & opted to serve in a Monastery.

Thanks Dave for that wealth of info, fascinating the princes would go to serve in other regiments outside their own. I guess it would be reciprocal protocol for the princes from the larger states to serve in a Schaumberg Lippe regiment. I have noticed many more awards coming from Lippe Schaumberg than Mecklenburg Strelitz. What you say certainly explains this, for I have never seen the all elusive ( Sterlitz ) Wendish Crown in sales catalogs. To collect ( orders ) the smaller States is fascinating but probably most difficult of them all, since less were issued. I've noticed the Mecklenburg Schwerin & Mecklenburg Sterlitz are almost identical, same with both Lippe's & Schwarzburg in design of their orders. The Prinipalities were split and their orders were kept closely aligned.

Hello Gentlemen Does anybody know what were the three smallest of the German States in amount of awards given?

Hi Ricardo Any possibility that you can scan a picture of the Imperial Southern Cross badges from your book. Very interested to see, there are two types of suspensions for the lower grades. Thanks

Treasure Treasure Treasure Beautiful mid-19th century group. I say the family name is Wittelsbach...