Wild Card

Thank you Christophe. This was good fun. My winning guess was really a guess as I was not sure if that statue was still there. You all might like to know that there is a virtually identical statue in Stalingrad = I just can?t acknowledge that new name. Anyway, I was going to post a picture of the Stalingrad statue for all to see; but I can?t seem to be able to peel it out of the album without damaging it. Thanks again for a good challenge, Christophe. Best wishes, Wild Card

Gentlemen, I would like to take a moment to condense some of what is above and, at the same time, fill in a few gaps. First, I would like to go on record as saying that there is probably no individual more learned on the subject of the orders and decorations of W?rttemberg than Uwe Bretzendorfer; and his information (compliments of Claudio in post #9) rings absolutely true. His point, that only gold medals were issued during the war, is is further substantiated by Nimmergut who lists the following awards: 1914 = 106 medals of 22kt gold 1914/15 - 502 medals of 14kt gold 1915/18 - 3,804 medals of 8kt gold Interestingly, Nimmergut also recognizes gold plated medals made by Paul Meybauer of Berlin from 1914 on. These particular medals do not have the ?Schwenzer? mark. This all leads me, at least, to consider that the use of ?wearer?s copies? (Uh oh, here we go again) was, for these medals, accepted and fairly widespread, which does make some sense. Two last points. First, I don?t think that it has been mentioned - the ?333? mark is, at least on my medal, located on the side of the ?se, and, therefore, easy to miss. Secondly, I would like to point out that the W?rttemburgers raised the art of fire gilding to it?s highest levels; but more on that some other time. I hope that this information is helpful. Best wishes, Wild Card

Wait, wait! I think that there is/was one over by the train station (Finland Station) comemorating Lenin's return from exile. Maybe? Wild Card

Hello again. Nimmergut states that 4.411 of these (gold) medals were awarded along with 207,003 of the silver medals.

Hi notned, Very nice little group there. Regarding your bravery medal - is it marked? As I am given to understand it, the very early (Colonial campaigns) Wilhelm issue medals were marked 967, then (early WWI) 333 and then no mark. The first two, of course, represent the gold content; no mark being a gold/gilt plated piece. The gold marks are punched into the rim of the medal, next to the ?se. I hope that this information is of some help; and if not acurate, will be corrected. Best wishes, Wild Card

Hi Ch. - This is not the one by "City Hall" - I checked my photos. I don't remember one being there; but would this be over near Smolny? Wild Card

Gentlemen, It is with great sadness that I report that I received a call from Lorraine Colson earlier this evening informing me that our friend, Tony, died this afternoon. Although I do not believe that Tony had an opportunity to participate in this forum, I know that many members knew him well. Sadness precludes further comment. Respectfully, Wild Card

Gentlemen, Thank you for your compliments and enthusiasm. I am sorry to say that, as of now, the recipient remains unidentified. I purchased this group from George Seymour several years ago; and as you may know, George had a wonderful ability, resources and contacts when it came to identifying groups; but this one had him stumped. Any educated guesses are most welcome. Thank you again. Best wishes, Wild Card

Gentlemen, Thank you for the kind comments and explanations regarding the placement of the Wilhelm?s cross. I had always viewed this award as something of an oddity and apparently (?post-1935 the Wilhelm's Cross was relegated to after the Honor Cross in Hierarchy...?) someone else felt the same way. Best wishes, Wild Card

Gentlemen, In an effort to perpetuate the confusion, I would submit this group. Note that both 1870-1 medals are steel (and don?t forget the little guys!).

Gentlemen, I am not very learned when it comes to ribbon bars; and having noticed quite a bit of expertise on the subject offered on this forum; I would like to present, for your evaluation, this little bar, which I picked up at last year?s Show of Shows. What attracted me to it is its? obvious W?rttemberg connection; but what bothers me about it is the Wilhelm?s cross, with swords, being mounted after the combatant?s cross. Any opinions are appreciated. Respectfully, Wild Card

Hi Stogieman, "absofreakin'lutely insanely into the rarebeyondmybecapicitytothink"... I couldn't agree more! Especially interesting in that everything appears to be non-combat ---- except the 1870-71 war medal. Any ideas as to why? Best wishes, Wild Card

May I present one of my favorites, M. I. Belousov

Christophe, Thank you for the updated status report on Karlshorst. From what you said, I will reiterate - any of you who are interested in Soviet should visit this museum at the next opportunity. Thank you again Christophe. Best wishes, Wild Card

Gentlemen, I have arrived at this thread a bit late, for which I apologize, and would like to go back to post #9. I had the good fortune to visit the Karlshorst Museum in the spring of 1994. Unfortunately, I did not have at that time the interest in Soviet that I have now; but I do remember that the displays and archives were, even to me back then, truly fantastic. Christophe, can you tell us if this museum is still open and does it still have all of those incredible displays and related material, or do they just have the items which you mentioned - ?...the office of Zhukov, several uniforms and medals (Zhukov, Koniev?), and outside a battery of Soviet military weapons...?? The museum was still controlled and staffed by the Red Army when I was there in ?94; did they take the rest with them when they left?. If all is still in place, I can not strongly enough recommend a visit by anyone who follows this forum (Soviet & Eastern Block Militaria & Awards). Thank you and best wishes, Wild Card

Hi, I hope that these turn out better -

...and speaking of these mini reverses - take a look at the reverse of the OB. Sadly, the true detail does not come through in this photo; but you get the idea. These minis are amazing. Best wishes, Wild Card

Hi Chet, As you can see, my WB has a solid reverse.

Hi CRBeery, You are so right. I have seen a lot of minis over the years; but your mounted WB is a first for me. These mounted mini groups are so rare and beautiful. The WB?s do show up on the chains from time to time (see attached); but when it comes to mini WB?s, in my opinion, you have the pick of the litter. Congratulations! Wild Card

Gentlemen, Thank you, Bob, for your kind comment. I waited twenty years for these two pieces to become available. The civil merit medal (post #181)is the only one of this issue that I have ever seen on the market. I had seen two previous Ernst August Order commander's stars prior to getting this (post #189) one; but they were both, at best, exile pieces whereas this one is pre-exile and marked by Carl B?sch. Mike K, that is a wonderful cross. I have seen this type of arrangement in the past; but only on the Mecklenburg Schwerin 1866, 1870 and 1914 crosses. For me, this is a first - very, very nice. And Joe, I was immediately taken by your midwife?s badge. Aside from the obvious rarity, the workmanship appears to be truly outstanding. I would certainly welcome the opportunity to see both of these pieces firsthand someday. Best wishes to you all, Wild Card

Gentlemen, Stogieman's above observation is worth special note in that it indirectly points up one of the important, but seldom recognized, aspects of collecting minis. They give us an opportunity to have a connection to the rare and obscure. I hope to do a thread regarding this sometime in the future. Meanwhile, I would like to present an example of another aspect - incredible workmanship. Regards, Wild Card

Gentlemen, I would like to present another rare Hannoverian who is home for the weekend - Wild Card

Gentlemen, In view of the current excitement over these 1914 spanges in another thread, I thought that the little guys should have something to say. Let's hear it for the little guys! Wild Card

Gentlemen, Believe me, although not widely sought after - exceedingly rare! Best wishes, Wild Card

Don't know if this one counts, or not. It's the best I can do.