CRBeery

This is the first nice ribbon bar I have purchased for a while. I have not found many that I like but this one really spoke to me.

Nice RAO! The cased item syndrome can be very dangerous to your savings account. Have fun.

Gentlemen, Thank you all for your input. I really do appreciate ALL views. I am keeping the grouping in my collection. I am happy with the cross and to be honest, if I add $0 for the engraving I have still purchased the group at a good price for what dealers want for things today. Maybe not the best way to judge but for now I am happy. I will post the other items soon in the Imperial section for all of you. @Brian - your killing me! Please don't do it! Thanks, Chet

I have to admit that I am having trouble getting the patina to show in the engraving. The engraving is darker than it looks in the photos. I do see a difference as Rich pointed out between the 800 and the rest. I looked at some engraved pieces on WAF and found another engraved cross with the 800 in the middle of the engraving and it had a similar amount on patina to this one in both respects. On my cross the thin, shallow lines are black with patina as I think they should be. The deeper, wider areas have less patina but seem to have green stuff in them like on early SA dagger hangers where the leather touches. Oxidation of the nickel in the silver??? It seems like the patina is creeping down into the engraving. Does anyone know if this is normal? Is this style of engraving correct to the period? It seems like it is. Please do not see this as me defending a piece that may have been engraved at a later date. I am trying to learn about this to make an informed choice. I can return the group if this piece has been enhanced. There is an I/415 on the cross. I went through the documents including research from McDivitt and this is not mentioned. Could this be a key to this? If it is good information then some homework was done at the very least. If it is bad then it shoots this piece down. Thank you for listening to me and providing any help.

Case with bottom out.

800 mark.

Better view of engraving.

Vaulted with an 800 on the pin.

I picked up a small grouping and this was in it. I am fine with the cross. The case is orginal but seems to be the TR style so perhaps these were mated at some point. The engraving looks good to me. There is patina inside of it but it does not show very well in the pictures. I ran the name and the contents of the group by Rick L. and he said it sounded plausible. If anyone sees a red flag please let me know as I do have a short period to return this group if I need to. Thanks, Chet

The backs.

I know these are not really an Imperial era item but they pollute sooo many beautiful bars that we all love I felt this a good place to post. I don't know why but these have become a pet peeve of mine and I have passed on some really nice bars that were mounted in the mid 30's do to these. Having said all of that I must admit that I do LOVE the pin back ones. The odd pieces find a little spot in my heart. How many firms produced these? I know there were two with different dies. Anyone have one different than these? I guess the fact that these were not made to ruin a medal bar makes it OK to me somehow. I never said I was not eccentric Thanks, Chet

Rare cousin of the one Rick posted.

Hey Rick, I will trade you my shiney horsey for yours! The rules did not state it was awards and medals only .

Another vet piece. Need to work on my lighting.

Shiney thing with a horsey.

I think it is pre 1920! One of the very few that I have seen that I believe.

I know we all love the big fancy officer bars that cost a gadzillion dollars and sparkle in the sun, but I really love a top notch enlisted/NCO bar. No "Thanks for being in my Army til your stale." REO or KO just hard earned medals! This guy was insane! I wonder if he made it - kind of doubt it. This is the type of soldier that makes an army. My hat is off to him who ever he was.

Bill, I have never come across anything like that. Recruiter is possible but it looks like a sport shirt eagle. Even the colors are the same if the eagle is in black. I like the way it is made - looks period. I will keep my eyes open for any reference to it. CRBeery

Rick, The design/crest is a different material. Maybe brass. The cool thing is that it is not ON the velvet but recessed in! When looking from the side only the central shield with the pachyderms sticks up above the velvet. It puts all of the Imperial German cases I have to shame. Hell, its nicer than some of the medals I have seen. Its even nice to pet!

Thanks Bob! It was my first named bar. To learn all about it try: http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/sho...ghlight=siamese If the link does not work use"Siamese" in the search function as this REALLY is a Siamese Order of the Crown.

The bar that started it all. Rick found the owner for me.

The order.

Here is an early cased order that I picked up. I have one on the end of a Prussian bar and when I saw this I thought it would fit in my collection. It has the nicest case I have ever handled. Velvet and that stamped design! Enjoy.

Thank you all for your comments! It is really nice to share something like this with those that have shared so many nice items in the past. My collection grows one item at a time. I still stray but I come back to Imperial every time. I blame you guys and that is not a bad thing. It was a rare find to come across a five place medal bar that fills five voids in my collection.

The interior.