laurentius

Dear Alex, that picture is not from the Royal Trust, it is a German auctionhouse which has sold many 'post-1918 decorative pieces' some of which with garter. Looking at the quality and design of this badge I would not consider it to be an original. Kind regards, Laurentius

Several of the Thuringian states rather than the Kingdom of Saxony. I don't know the exact reason why three different dukedomes in the middle of Germany would choose to award the same decorations, but I think it has something to do with economic power.

Ernistiner Hausorden

Thanks everyone for your help, this has been a very helpful thread. If I understand Andreas correctly, the flames are attached separately in the same manner swords are? Are they screwed in, or attached in a different manner? Kind regards, and thanks in advance, Laurentius

Dear Graham I have read the thread several times when I was at doubt with Bavarian decorations. It is a splendid thread, discussing the orders and crosses, but also mountingstyles and preventing damage. Although several BMVO3x are shown there, I am not able to distinguish the separately applied flames. That's why I asked if there is someone with detailed pictures to help me. Kind regards, Laurentius

Dear fellow collectors, I recently read in an old thread somewhere that most pieces on the market today that are sold as BMVO3x are actually BMVO4x's that have been gilded at a later stage. However, original BMVO3x pieces can be recognized because the flames are attached separately, whereas they are cast with the BMVO4x. Would there be any collectors out there with detailed pictures that would clearly show the difference? I would also be interested in any other pictures, regarding the production of these orders. After researching online I did come across several pictures of Prussian decorations being made (e.g. Iron Crosses), sadly I wasn't able to find anything on the manufacture of Bavarian awards, like the BMVO. Kind regards and thanks in advance, Laurentius

Dear VtwinVince, here are the pictures you asked for. Kind regards, Laurentius

Dear fellow collectors, I was recently browsing the auctionsite Ratisbon's when I came across this rather peculiar medalbar. I will refrain from commenting on the originality of the medalbar itself for the moment, however, the quality of the BMVO4x and the BMVK1x seemed off to say the least (full beltbuckle). Yet, if I recall correctly there was one maker who shortly produced one of these full beltbuckles. Would any of the Bavarian collectors be willing to chip in? Kind regards, and thanks in advance, Laurentius

I agree with Sascha here. Although both these orders have a star as a medaillon (which can be rather difficult with unclear photographs), there is still the ribbon. I do not believe the ribbon on the second medal to be red. In my opinion, it is white, which would point to a decoration from Waldeck. Kind regards, Laurentius

Dave, Sascha and Daniel, I'd like to thank you for your input. I have however a question. Dave said the guess was that there were around 1720 awards in 1918. isn't that a bit low? That would mean it is the lowest year except for 1914 (which was only 4 months). Isn't 1918 usually the year in which awards were most often given out? Kind regards, and thanks in advance, Laurentius

Dear P.F. The vertical piece of metal keeps pressure on the pin, to assure it doesn't open, this would cause the medalbar to fall off. We usually see this with pre-war bars. Nice touch. Kind regards, Laurentius

Dear Dave, perhaps the catholics were willing to look past his religion. They might have done this more often, if I recall correctly they were one of the pay-to-wear orders. You paid money which was used for red cross purposes and you received a decoration. Kind regards, Laurentius

Dear Chuck, thanks for your help, the website says 11,000 pieces were awarded, but I'd like to have some confirmation from actual literature, since the site is often mistaken. It beats wikipedia for sure, but it isn't as good as referencebooks. Kind regards, Laurentius

Here is an example from the Dutch Palace 'Het Loo' , one of the largest phaleristic museums of europe. The Ludwigsorden with garter belonged to Ludwig III of Hesse-Darmstadt (1806-1877). The star was made by Martinus Schnitzspahn between 1865 and 1877. Kind regards, Laurentius

Dear fellow collectors, I have recently taken a great interest in Saxon orders, and I have been able to acquire several, but there is one thing that I'm still not sure about. When reading literature I sometimes come across numbers that say there were roughly 11,000 awards of the Albrechtsorden 2nd class, whereas others say there were only around 7700 Albrechtsorden 2nd class with swords, plus around 1500 without swords. Is there someone who can give me a clear number or estimate? Kind regards, Laurentius