Carol I

Thanks Paul. The whole idea was to point that differences between badges might exist. The Copenhagen award seems to have a somewhat pointed crown compared to the one you posted.

Here is another image of a badge of this order, displayed in a royal palace in Copenhagen several years ago. The badge is unfortunately out of focus but doesn't the surmounting crown appear to have a different shape?

"War" Veteran de razboi = War veteran

The usual meaning of the empty date space is that he is not dead.

Thanks IVB. So it might be a badge of a veteran association. I presume such veteran associations exist in all/many of the former Soviet states. Is it possible that they share some elements for their badges?

I hope he could give some details about this badge. It does not seem an official state award.

Here are images of the medals awarded by the Republic of Moldavia to the veterans of the Afghan war. (from www.soviet-medals-orders.com)

Do you mean you have information that this is an official award of the Republic of Moldavia? The language in the legend does not match. Can you give more details?

... with crown and war decoration.

Swedish orders have crowned Maltese crosses as insignia, while the award in the mentioned position does not have a crown (plus that it does not seem to have the usual deep split of the arms of a Maltese cross). Maybe the third order on the mid-line of the chest is a Swedish order.

Indeed Alex. I was not particularly interested in identifying this individual since the photo is not mine. But I found interesting the game of trying to identify the awards in the photo. P.S. It could be that we have missed a decoration on the chest mid-line: in line with the badge identified as the Lippe-Detmold House Order of the Honour Cross (#5) there seems to be something else, but it is hard to say whether it is a badge tilted on the coat edge or just a ribbon. I'd rather say it is the former.

The change in Bulgarian orders mentioned by 922F took place in 1908, so the photo was definitely taken after that year. And, if I understood right Eric's comment, the Medal of Prince Regent Luitpold was established in 1911, hence we may advance three years with the date. This date may also be confirmed if the first thing on the upper row turns out to be a Luitpold Cross (as suggested by Wild Card) rather than the Royal Merit Order of St Michael.

Thank you all. Let's sum up the lists of the awards. An update for the mid-line of the chest: 1. Order of Civil Merit (Bulgaria) - commander 2. 3. 4. Order of the Danilo (Montenegro) - commander 5. House Order of the Honour Cross (Lippe-Detmold) 6. Order of the Griffon (Mecklenburg-Schwerin) 7. Order of the Legion of Honour (France) - commander Upper row 1. Luitpold Cross (Bavaria) or Royal Merit Order of St Michael (Bavaria)? 2. 3. War Medal 1870-71 (Prussia) - with about 5 bars 4. 5. Centenary Medal (Prussia) 6. Order of the Red Eagle (Prussia) - Would the Prussian order be placed after the Prussian medals? 7. 8. Order of the Z?hringen Lion (Baden) 9. Order of Albert the Bear (Anhalt) 10. Lower row 1. Order of Albert (Saxony) 2. House Order of Saxe-Ernestine - knight 2b. Is there an order here? 3. Order of Franz Joseph (Austria) 4. Order of Philip the Brave (Hesse-Darmstadt) 4b. Is there an order here? 5. Order of the Crown (Italy) or Order of Friedrich (W?rttemberg) - knight? 6. Order of the Star of Romania - officer? 7. Order of Civil Merit (Bulgaria) - officer 8. Order of the Takovo Cross (Serbia) Bottom singles 1. Order of the Iron Crown (Austria) 2. Medal of Prince Regent Luitpold (Bavaria)

An update for the mid-line of the chest: 1. Order of Civil Merit (Bulgaria)? 2. 3. 4. Order of the Danilo (Montenegro) 5. House Order of the Honour Cross (Lippe-Detmold)? 6. 7. Order of the Legion of Honour (France)?

There might be a third order before the Order of Franz Joseph. Opinions?

Lower row 1. Order of Albert (Saxony)? 2. 3. Order of Franz Joseph (Austria) 4. 5. 6. Order of the Crown (Italy)? 7. Order of the Star of Romania ? 8. Order of Civic Merit (Bulgaria) 9. Order of the Takovo Cross (Serbia) Bottom singles 1. Order of the Iron Crown (Austria) 2.

Upper row 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Order of the Z?hringen Lion (Baden) 9. Order of Albert the Bear (Anhalt) 10.

Of course I do not mind. I did not buy the photo as it was terribly expensive (well over 300 euros if I remember well). Anyhow, here it goes with the identification: Mid-line of the chest: 1. Order of Civic Merit (Bulgaria)? 2. 3. 4. Order of the Crown (Italy)? 5. 6. 7.

Thanks!

What did this guy do for a living? He had quite a collection of awards. The photo had been for sale on eBay.

Thanks. You have compiled an impressive compendium on the awards of the Republic of Moldavia (even though I cannot use all the information there since I do not read Russian; but the images are great).

This badge was in a royal palace in Copenhagen.

Is this the same alloy as Tombac?

I am afraid I do not understand your comment. As far as I know irredentism refers to a doctrine of annexation of lands on the basis of ethnic and/or historical links, but this far I have not seen anything like this on this thread. I have provided some historical details (that may only be known to professional historians), while others have posted images. Would you please care to detail where have you seen irredentism in this thread? Were any posts deleted? Thanks.

I think "gratitude" would be a better translation of "recunoştinţă".