Alex .

Thank you!

Hi gents, Can you please help me with the authentication of this miniature medals bar with early GRI Military Cross and Imperial Russian order of St. Stanislaus? Does it look authentic? Have you seen the mix of WWI and WWII medals on the same bar? Thanks Alex

Cool indeed

Yes, these orders are still awarded.

This is modern issued order. Original, 1929 issued orders, look slightly different. See the link. https://www.emedals.com/russia-imperial-an-order-of-st-nicholas-the-wonderworker-knight-s-cross .

Thank you gentleman! Very informative.

Thank you Paul! May I ask, how do you distinguish between the third and second class if they are the same size? Or the size is different?

Hi gents, It is possible to tell what class and type it is? The size is 52 x 91 mm (to the top of the ring, and 85.5 mm to the top of the cross), gilded. Also, when it was manufactured? Thank you in advance. Alex

Yes, it looks like gilded brass.

Thank you!

Hi gents, It is possible to tell what grade this order is? The size is 56 mm across. Is it Commander's Cross? Thanks Alex

Thank you!

Hi Jeff, The cross from the DNW Sale most likely a replica. That would explain the price.

Hi Jeff, You're welcome. Here is more info: After the end of the Crimean War, in September 1856, attempts were made to perpetuate the memory of combatants. At the initiative of officers and soldiers of the former Crimean Army, a fundraising was started for the improvement of the cemetery of soldiers who fell in Sevastopol on the North side. Already September 14, 1869 was to create the Museum of the Sevastopol Defense. The officers, the participants of the defense, met annually for meetings called Sevastopol lunches. At one of these meetings, it was decided to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the beginning of the defense with the release of a cross-token. In 1890, in memory of the 35th anniversary of the defense of Sevastopol, a badge was established for its survivors. The “Iron and Blood” crosses was mostly made from fragments of English cast-iron cores found on the battlefields of Sevastopol. Orders for the manufacture of tokens were placed with private jewelers and craftsmen. It is an equilateral cross of cast iron, in the center of which is a medallion, covered with red enamel, with the number "349" - the number of days of defense of Sevastopol. The medallion covers a golden wreath of oak branches, which are tied at the bottom with a gold ribbon. On the reverse side in the center, the name of the owner of the token was engraved, and in a circle in the Old Slavonic script the inscription: “Rep. PROT. Of Sevastopol ”and the dates of the beginning and end of the defense of the fortress:“ 1854– 1855 ”. This cross is also called the Cross of Blood or the Cross of Iron and Blood. Subsequently, the cross - a token entered as part of the jubilee regimental badges of the Zhytomyr Infantry Regiment, the 5th battery, the 14th art. Brigade, 4th Battery 17th Art. brigade, battleship "Sevastopol" and others.

Cross of Iron and Blood in memory of the 35th anniversary of the defense of Sevastopol - 349 days. Original was issued in 1890.