Carol I

Well, it will be quite interesting to decipher all the hallmarks. On the little rings seems to be no less than 5 marks: "KF", one with a swan, two that I cannot make out (can you look at them through a magnifying glass and give some further details?) and one with two dolphins. As I said above, the two dolphins are a Romanian mark for silver. And, according to Andreas' site, the swan is a French import mark. Questions still remain about the "KF" and the other two marks.

I was referring to the ribbon of the 5th class, the one with one silver stripe on the middle. The ribbon of the 4th class, the one with a rosette, seems OK for type I (light blue with silver/steel stripes on the sides). I think the first mark is "ARG" that comes from Argint (Silver). The other one is probably "JRF" from the name of the jeweller, Joseph Resch & Fils. An "IRF" mark would indicate the spelling of the first name as Ioseph. Please let me know which one it is.

I do not want to disappoint you, but the badge to the left has a type II ribbon. Anyhow, do they have any hallmarks?

Congratulations, Alex, it is a nice badge. Is the mark to the left "KF"? I think it indicates Karl Fischmeister of Vienna (anyone to confirm this?). The mark with two dauphins to the right is the Romanian mark for silver. I cannot make out the third mark on the ring, but it appears that there is a fourth mark on the suspension ring.

Nice model Snoopy. What made you choose the Romanian markings?

Is it tomorrow you are leaving, Jani? A small incentive: a uniform of King Carol II in the collections of the National Military Museum (since I've been there they took away some of the collars since they were damaging themselves and the uniform, but the image still gives you an idea of what you may see inside the museum). Have a nice trip and good luck for your medal hunting. I am looking forward to reading your travel impressions.

Thanks for the directions. It seems a very well hidden place.

I have found on YouTube some images from the collector's fair organised more or less regularly at the Şuţu Palace (near the University). It has all sorts of antiques, but beware of fakes. Şuţu Palace Fair

Was this by any chance near the University (and the Intercontinental Hotel), 922F?

It's probably Bulgarian, the Order for Military Merit. He has another one to the right (his left) of it.

That is the National History Museum housed in the former Central Post Office. Bran Castle dates from the 14th century, it was not constructed by Queen Maria. She only modernised the interiors in the 1920s and 1930s. The real Dracula's castle, Poenari, is not in Transylvania.

I have some images from eBay to illustrate these. Wartime badge of the Order for Military Merit (on the ribbon of the Order for Bravery), regency issue (1944-1946). Order for Civil Merit, republican issue (1946/7-1950) The wreath seems more oak leaves and wheat ears.

Did they lower the fee? Last time I've been there it was 1 leu. The medal collection is the largest in Romania, but unfortunately there is no medal section in the museum. However, there are plenty of medals in the modern section of the museum. It is actually "AJUTOR", but I am pretty sure you won't need it. Have a safe trip.

National Military Museum. Take your time and a camera with a large card (it costs about 30 euro cents per photo though). The National History Museum might also be interesting, but I do not know how many of the medals in their collections are on display.

Interesting piece of information. I was under the impression that no awards of the old orders were made in the first years of the republic and that the republican issues were only made to replace the royal insignia.

Thanks for the update. And yes, he is also wearing a Russian Order of St. Stanislas at the neck. I forgot to add it to the original list.

That was indeed proposed in the original thread.

Lithuania (from the site of the president of the country, http://adamkus.president.lt/ordinai/vdordinas_e.phtml)

Latvia (from the site of the president of the country, http://www.president.lv/pk/content/?cat_id=1229)

Estonia (from the site of the president of the country, http://www.president.ee/en/estonia/decorations.php)

Let's build up the list of awards: 1. Bulgarian Order of St. Alexander 2. Bulgarian Order of Military Merit 3. Bulgarian Long Service Cross 4. Bulgarian Independence Medal 5. ... 6. French Legion of Honour 7. ... 8. Serbian Order of the White Eagle 9. Montenegrin Order of Danilo 10. Order of the Crown of Romania 11. Italian Order of the Crown 12. Order of the Star of Romania 13. Serbian Order of the Takovo Cross 14. ... 15. ...(?) Beneath: Austrian Order of Franz Joseph

Next to the Italian Order of the Crown there is also the Order of the Star of Romania. Odd placing...

Thanks, Kevin. I think it's nice that we managed to crack this nut (one way or the other).