Wild Card

And, of course, VI (post #39) + VI (post #40) =

And his "evil twin"

An old W?rttemberger

Stogieman, Thank you for the kind words of welcome. I look forward to the opportunity to share information with you and the many knowledgeable members of this forum. Sincerely, Wild Card

Yes Rick. He received badge #72 on 22 Feb. 1928 (Cdr. Uzbek Bn.) Best wishes, Wild Card

Gentlemen, Seeing an awakening to Imperial German lifesaving medals here, I would like to offer a bit of information garnered during a twenty year, or so, hunt for a Brunswick lifesaving medal. This medal is excessively rare (something like 84 awarded between 1836 and 1913), elusive and faked. Most of the fakes are galvanos and some have Jurgens hallmarks. The closest that I have come to getting the real thing is a medal bar from which one, along with some other decorations, had been removed. To add insult to injury, the suspension ring and ?se are still secured to the bar up under the furled ribbon. Maybe some day... Be careful with this one, I hope that this information is helpful. Respectfully, Wild Card

...Sorry, picture didn't make it

Gentlemen, Is it not possible that the last ribbon could be to a Lippe Detmold lifesaving medal, or even (a real stretch) a 1888-1905 series Lippe Detmold civil merit medal? Just wondering, Wild Card

Yes, Claudio, that?s the one; and that?s a very nice example you have there - thank you for showing it. Dave, I had forgotten about the different monogram, Your assumption is correct in that, according to Hessenthal/Schreiber, this decoration was founded by Duchess Charlotte who was acting as regent on 3 March 1915 while the Duke was serving in the field. Best wishes, Wild Card

Gentlemen, In an effort to round this discussion out a bit, I would mention that there was also an Orden f?r Verdienste von Frauen und Jungfrauen in der Kriegf?rsorge which was, in appearance virtually identical to the officer?s version, shown above; but, as near as I can figure it, about one half the size. These were worn on the noncombatant ribbon, configured as a bow; and, of course, are quite rare. I hope that this information is helpful. Regards, Wild Card

Hi Andreas, Is your star to a grand cross or commander? Either way, a superb piece indeed. Best wishes, Wild Card

Gentlemen, In an effort to fill in a few gaps. I would like to offer the following information. Otto von Below?s Grand Cross award would date 4 Nov. 1917. He received Grand Cross badge #38, Grand Cross neck badge #38 and Grand Cross star #33/20. Paul von Stolzmann was awaarded Commander?s badge #1 in July of 1915. This badge had previously been awarded to, among others,von Hartmann (1870)) and von Fransecky (1875). Karl Gonnermann received Knight?s badge #118, a badge originally awarded to a French Colonel R?n? in 1808. Regards, Wild Card

Let's hope that this works... sorry, not a good night for posting pictures. Wild Card

Hi Soviet, Wow, what a difference! Yes, mine is a Soviet manufacture piece. If it is of any help, the SN# is 8276. thank you for sharing this information. Best wishes, Wild Card

Hi Soviet, I just picked one of these up at the MAX Show. This may be a relatively low level award; but there certainly is nothing low end about that enamel! Be careful if you really examine it closely, it can become hypnotizing - don?t you agree? Best wishes, Wild Card

Andreas, So that?s it, I would never picked up on this. Thank you for the explanation. Still, a darned nice badge. Best wishes, Wild Card

Andreas, May I say that this is an especially nice badge as is pointed out by Chris S in post #5, above, one rarely sees the gold so strong in the 2nd class center medalions. Congratulations. Wild Card

Thank you David Gregory for the pictures. Your packet is identical to the one I described in my post (#23). You have saved me from another frustrating experience. Yours truly, Wild Card

Gentlemen - In an effort to add to what little is left on this topic, I would like to mention that I have a packet (envelope) of issue to a non combat Brunswick MVK 2nd class cross which, owing to my continued inability to consistently post pictures, I will have to describe. If pictures of what I am describing should mysteriously appear, I will take the blame. This packet is made of heavy white paper, with a fold over tapered flap, and measures 74 mm x 80 mm. it marked as follows: Obverse. Herzoglich Braunschweigsches Kriegs-Verdienstkreuz mit gelbblauen Bande Reverse. Herm J?rgens Hofjuwelier Braunschweig As I mentioned, and it is so stated above, this is for a noncombatant cross. Nevertheless, I feel comfortable in saying that the combatants crosses, to which this thread is dedicated, had the same packets with the differently described ribbon. I hope that this information is helpful. Respectfully, Wild Card

Hi Paul - I?ll take a shot at this and invite any of the more knowledgeable members to add to and/or correct my information. The Brunswick War Merit Cross was founded on 23 Oct. 1914 by Duke Ernst August. It was awarded for both combat and non-combat (authorized on 17 Nov. 1915) service. A first class (pinback) award was authorized on 20 March 1918 causing the originals to become known as 2nd class awards. The Bew?hrungsabzeichen, as I understand it, signifies two years of actual front line service; therefore, a ?proven? combatant; and again, as I understand it, this decoration may have been authorized as late as 18 Oct. 1918. It would seem that these War Merit Crosses were awarded to native Brunswickers, non-native Brunswickers who served in ?Brunswick? units and any others who's? service remotely had a Brunswick influence. In the scheme of things these decorations are considered roughly equivalent to The Prussian Iron Cross; but, of course are a lot rarer, and could be considered on a par with, say, the Oldenburg Friedrich August Cross or the war merit crosses of several other states. I hope that this information is helpful and best wishes, Wild Card

Gentlemen, We see this is done from time to time in these old photos. I have a picture of Hauptmann Theodor Bloch von Blottnitz, ca. 1868, with his PLM obviously but very artistically added. Regards, Wild Card

Goss = Franz Nerz = Lothar Sorry, nothing on Narr

Rick Absolutely fantastic! Thank you for sharing this work with us- Best wishes, Wild Card

[attachmentid=12015]