Yankee

Hi Ilieff Thanks for informing me about the other type of ribbon. Always assumed it was black with blue stripes.Sounds logical that the King would order the change of color after the death of his Mother. Thanks for putting a fake up for all to see. Will scan one before it had that Franenstein operation. Hi E appreciate you taking the time in describing what the authors had to say about the creation of the decoration. Certainly are two different opinions out there. Since some authors believed it was given to the 9th IR and about 150 in bronze to the NCO & lower ranks would suffice but surely a Bulgarian IR would have more than 150 NCO & enlisted men, thinking more like 600. The 30 to officers would be more in line. Just don't think one silver to every five bronze is the correct ratio. Perhaps one officer to every 15 or 20 enlisted would make sense unless it was strictly a household medal and would explain only 150 given. Thanks for the fotos. All you need now is the solid gold one. Thanks B

HI E That is really great news. Certainly don't want copies floating around that can fool anybody. At post 34 is Ferdinand wearing a bar that looks very close to the first bar shown by ilieff. Perhaps it is the same bar and somebody tried to restore it. It seems some ribbons and decorations had been added on at a later date. Why go through the trouble of extending it and why stick a mini on it. As the second bar looks much better put together as it should be. Thanks B

Hi 922F Nice to hear from you. Appreciate giving me a figure on the amount awarded & as you say there could be more, left over as well too. Did I understand there are two type of copies? Are they crude or very dangerous to even a collector. Could you tell by a scan? It seems the odds are against me even with correct ribbon. I too would like to get a copy of that book for the bars alone would be worth it. Maybe contains more bars. I suspect Ferdinand had dozens of bars over the years and now wonder if the others have such unique combinations such as the two shown. First to ever see a Southern Cross1st type on a mounted bar. Thanks Sincerely Yankee

Hi Ilieff Thank you for confirming it had been awarded to members of IR 9. Then this was the IR named after the Czar's Mother Clementine. I have a fine book by Romanff on Bulgaria who states the medals being awarded to her Household and as you pointed out to her staff likely. I recall the guy who sold me a fine silver medal telling me it was for the officers of the IR and never mentioned Household. I believe the one on the bar is a solid gold example since that belonged to Ferdinand. I remember about a decade ago there was a gold wedding medal/crown belonging to Ferdinand or member of royal family going up for Auction in the UK. Never saw another one after that.... Thanks Yankee

Anybody have idea when Southern Cross ( 3rd from last ) was awarded? Very unusual to see an example with short wide arms & a rather small crown. Have other members seen such design before or possibly one of a kind. On the 2nd bar in last position is the Princess Clementine medal in gold. Are there any numbers in gold silver and bronze awarded. Was it awarded to staff of her household or to a serving regiment named after her? Thank you

Ever wonder who engraved those wonderfully inscribed Crimea's to the British.

Thanks for the speedy reply and sharing the fotos. To see a Saint George, Red Eagle & Saint Vladimir w/swds from the Russo/Turkis War is awesome.

The bar in post 22 is incredible. Never seen a Balkan bar like that with a Saint George in the lead!!! Any idea what the eighth order is from left to right?

Sorry not getting back to you sooner in complementing you in your amazing bullet find, just never saw one turned into a pendant , lost electric from the hurricane and the system never loged me out automatically. Thank you for showing me those fotos of the 1885 Bravery Order issue. It looks fairly similar to the 1879 example that I have pictured in post 1. However post 1 has a pineapple like design over the three shaped mounds. As I recall it is an Austrian make but no hallmark. You have a very fine example of the Pour La Vertu Militaire. Never seen one in such fantastic condition with a portrait miniature of the recipient. Who is the Gentleman in the painting?

No worries. You have a good eye. I believe yours and mine are from the same jeweler. Have you any idea who manufactured them?

There is a lozenge stamped above the cross. It might be a Chobillon issue. I don't know of an Guilloche badge w/swds. If possible can you show it.

Hi Igor Apologize for not zooming sooner. Given by Tsar Ferdinand to a Russian Officer on a state visit for the 25th year anniversary on the liberation of Bulgaria. It came in this case but I don't think it is right. Any idea the period of case?

Hello An early example of a Knight or perhaps Commander. Anybody know the amount awarded in gold? Thanks in advance.

Hello Can anybody say what order or decoration is on the far right side (4th place) of that early bar that is on the British Naval Officer's uniform? Thanks in advance

That would be Mecklenburg -Schwerin. Duke Henry married Queen Wilhelmina which is why you see lots of Dutch orders and medals worn by Mecklenburg citizens and to a lesser extent Waldeck-Pyrmont.

Hi Igor I believe so but not 100% certain. They were struck in Centinje. Just how many were issued and other firms involved have not any clue. Sincerely Brian

Hi Igor Post 13 has an identical hallmark to yours. The hallmark is for the letter C for Cetinje the old capital of Montenegro. They were manufactured for the war of 1877 from Italian dies with superb details. Hard to find

It was that perfect example from the Turin auction my thoughts were on. Was surprised the altered ones went for a good price too. Lucky to have acquired one of the inscribed pieces that looks correct for the period. There is a 50 year one inscribed to an Arch Duke floating around in the States-now I just need the luck........

Thanks for that Paul. Good to know somethings are still sacred. Luckily the badges are easier to duplicate than the enamel orders for the most part.....

You Gentlemen know if those early imposing St.Stanislaus Russian made badges from the 2nd quarter 19th century, having those fully extended wings & the two digit number for year are being faked in the 2nd and 3rd class? Thanks in advance.

I'd agree that your dear friend is most happy that his collection lives on through other collectors where they will be appreciated and cherished ------ not in some musty museum vault buried away. Sincerely Brian

Amazing stuff but some very scary copies.

http://www.astebolaffi.it/coins/

A large amount of material on A-H awards from old collection is online at Aste Bolaffi a firm in Northern Italy.