Wild Card

And the reverse. Notice the separate pieces and safety latch.

The badge in the case.

David, Here is something that you might use for a comparison. First, we have the outside of the case and the label inside the lid.

... and only one of them was awarded during he war??? The ultimate political flunky. Come on guys! P.S. anyone who has seen and handled one of those Ushakov stars will never put down the quality of Soviet awards again.

and the reverse.

Why spend good money...

Gentlemen, I admit that it's a medal bar and not a ribbon bar; but it is so unusual that I thought that some of you might enjoy seeing it. If nothing else, it represents a nice example of good old Swabian thrift. Best wishes, Wild Card

Thank you Christophe and Stogieman. As you know, unfortunately Napoleonic era decorations, even those awarded later to veterans, with the exception of the Prussian series, are really hard to find; but the hunt is part of the fun. I hope to have a couple more (1 Baden and 1 Reuss) delivered within the next couple of days - they don?t live here at home - which I will post before sending them back to "school". Thank you again for the compliments. Best wishes, Wild Card

Heiko, That little bar is truly superb. Congratulations! Wild Card

1809-10 bar

Gentlemen, The next unique Baden decoration is neither a medal or an order, but a bar to a medal; and when I say ?unique to Baden?, such was the situation until the Prussians borrowed the concept for their 1870-71 war medal. On 27 January 1839 Grand Duke Leopold founded the Field Service Decoration for the surviving veterans of the Napoleonic campaigns. This is a 31 mm. cannon bronze medal (beautiful examples of which can be seen in posts #14 and 16) upon the ribbon of which were fastened bars 38.7 x 5 mm. which signify the year(s) of service. There are approximately eleven such bars. This concept was revived to cover the campaigns from 1848 to 1871 making an additional six bars. In post #51 we see bars for 1866 and 1870-71 and another 1870-71 in post #70. Below is an example of the first issue - for 1809-10. Regards, Wild Card

Gentlemen, A couple of very important points have been raised here. So important that they should almost be posted separately because they apply to all who collect - be it ribbon bars, knight?s crosses or beer cans. As many of you have probably noticed, collections have a way of growing. What started out as innocent acquisitions here and there are all of a sudden demanding their own wall or even room! Well, fellow collector, no one but you really has a clue as to what?s there - spouses, children, favorite nephews - no one. Who else knows that this ribbon bar here really does go with that medal bar over there (no not that one, the one next to it)? Now the second part. If or when your collection goes to auction, the auctioneer has one fundamental responsibility; and that is to realize the highest prices for the items consigned to him. Maximum commissions are the result of maximum bids; it?s that simple. So, unless you have clearly documented the fact that this ribbon bar goes with that medal bar, and that you wish for them to be sold together, they may wind up going their separate ways at auction - after you have gone your separate way. Please make sure that your instructions are clear, up to date and readily accessible to your survivors or estate executor. Thank you. Wild Card

The Military Karl Friedrich Merit Order awarded to Unteroff. Mathias J?ckle.

Gentlemen, It would be tiresome to cover all of the decorations of Baden; but I would like to draw your attention to one so far unrecognized. While not the oldest Imperial German bravery medal, that honor I think goes to Bavaria, there is a particular aspect of the Baden merit medal to the Military Karl Friedrich Merit Order that does make it unique - it is named to the recipient. These medals were awarded in gold and silver versions from 1807 through 1871 and then only in silver from 1915 though 1918. Over the years many subtle changes to the form took place; but the basic format was followed. I would like to present the merit medal to the Military Karl Friedrich Merit Order awarded to Unteroff. Mathias J?ckle of the Leib Gren. Rgt, on 15 Feb. 1871 ?... [in] acknowledgment of outstanding bravery and exquisite performance during the present campaign...? Regards, Wild Card

Gentlemen, I would just like to say what a terrific thread this has developed into. Thanks to Stogieman, for starting it and to all whose contributions have built it. I have felt for a long time that the orders and decorations of Baden are under appreciated, usually loosing out to the glamor of Prussia, Bavaria and Saxony; but take a moment, take a look - Baden has it all. The House Order of the Faithful, being founded in 1715, is certainly one of the oldest Imperial German orders. The Military Karl-Friedrich Merit Order, again very old (1807); but how many states have a military, only, order? Then comes the Zahringen Lion which aside from having one of the most unique (and to most people esthetically pleasing) designs has it all - collar, swords, swords on ring, oakleaves, merit crosses... Lastly, we have the Berthold Order, a pretty complete order as well. Medals? Civil and military merit, lifesaving, arts and science, long service... Baden has them all and then some. And then some? Yes, there are even a few Baden medals/decorations that are, if not unique, quite different from all others; two in particular that I will present shortly. Again, thank you all - many great items there! Wild Card

Reverse

Front and side - I wish that I coudl get a better side shot; but no luck so far.

Gentlemen, In response to Rusty's request, I have run a few more pictures of the hangar. Please do ot hesitate to le me know if they do not meet your requirements; and I will give it another try. I think thst I should mention thst, in view of the fact that it appears that this piece was convered from a suspension to a screwback to a suspension over a period of several years, I would be surprised if the present hangar is original; especially when the majority of such conversions tended to be "do it yourself" jobs. Thank you for your interest and best wishes, Wild Card

And the reverse...

Gentlemen, I apologize for the quality of the previously submitted photos in posts #23 and #24. I have tried and tried to get a better close-up of the decoration as shown in the (HSU booklet identification) photo without getting any better results. The really frustrating part is that when you see the photo first hand, the eyelet is perfectly obvious. Following, are new photos of the eyelet which I hope are more creditable. The reverse photo also shows the area from which the (type 1) prong has been removed. If anyone would like more specific photos, please let me know and I will do my best to provide them. As you can tell, I still on the learning curve with regard to photography and posting - thank you for your patience. Best wishes, Wild Card

Hi Paul, The magnum opus -a term coined by Eric consists of four volumes plus an addendum all of which are hard bound and quite professionally done. The four volumes cover all Imperial German states through 1918, the Empire through 1933, Danzig Free State and The Third Reich. They are well illustrated, b/w, with corresponding ribbon tables in color. The four come to a total of 2,478 pages. He has done an excellent job, but with a few errors I will addess momentarliy, giving founding dates, weights, dimensions and other useful information. The addendum, 274 pages, contains additional information; and I think (hope) some corrections. There are, as can be expected in such a massive undertaking, some errors. For example, the Brunswick Henry the Lion grand cross badge which is pictured is, in fact, a commander?s badge; and he does not acknowledge the existence of the Prussian Crown Order third class with swords and swords on ring when it has been established that two exist - one of which, from George Seymour?s collection, I believe was sold in April. One point that I really have to credit him on is his acknowledgment of sources; which brings up another publication worthy of note which I did not mention earlier. If a ?bible? exists, it would have to be Hessenthal/Schreiber which covers medals and decorations - no orders. Also, I would not underestimate the value of Nimmergut?s OEK as a basic reference; but don?t hang your hat on the prices/values. I was in the process of compiling a list of more specialized books and just noticed Christophe?s post #47 which goes beyond my range. Thank you Christophe! So Paul, I think that you now have enough to at least get started. I would only add in closing that I am aware of a work in progress which will be another magnum opus; but I sense that it may, and I emphasize may, concentrate on the high end items. I hope that his information is useful, and again, thank you Christophe. Best wishes, Wild Card

Pinsky

Pinsky

Gentlemen, Perhaps I have something which might, at least, offer a comparison for discussion. What follows are pictures of Major Matevy Savelievich Pinsky which show him wearing his Nevsky as a screwback piece circa late 1945. along with a close up of the first photo which shows the ring for the suspension on the badge still in place. These are followed by pictures of his actual award as it is today in the suspension (type 1) form. This piece, #1150. This is a type 1, variation 2; and I should mention that evidence of the prong is more prominent than seen in the photo. Also, the eyelet is more evident in the original photo than seen here. Best wishes, Wild Card

Thank you Stogieman. Your explanation makes sense; I had seen these before, but never gave them much thought. Best wishes, Wild Card