Ravenft

I am all for keeping this site running. I have learned so much from it so if any of the above helps I am down for that.

Hi all! I finally found a Red Crescent medal after looking for years. I was especially happy to find one with a silver oak leaf! I was curious though, I couldn’t tell if this was the Bronze version or the gold version. My guess is that it’s bronze but wouldn’t that mean it would have a bronze oak leaf? Also never mind the French medal case, I use that just for presentation:).

Beautiful box! Great find. I don't think the EKII came with boxes originally but I am sure awardees spent some hard earned money to protect and display their hard earned awards. But you'll find lots of private purchased EKII's in boxes. Which of course are beautiful too =D

What an interesting piece. Is that for the red cross? Well I guess I can assume that if the ribbon came with a pin then it's likely that it was original or from the period more or less. I've found that it's hard to find the pins at all apparently. I'm glad I have these ones.

Very interesting! I've never had a 1939 version. BTW yours looks spectacular

I have three pins attached to some ribbons of mine and was wondering if there were period or attached latter? Sorry for the really niche specific question but if anyone can answer this question it's you! ~Ravs

Other than the normal gold letters on the top of the box there’s no other inscriptions on the rear of the case. Did you mean around the hinges when you said “back of the case” Also Thank You so much for helping me with the name of the marking on the cross. I’ve never seen one of these with a marking before. Any clue as to the time period? The case looks like it has the Meiji style lettering on top. I very much appreciate your input. all the best, Ravs

Okay here are better pictures with my macro lens and higher resolutions Submitting them one at a time because of file size...

I love this cross so much. Just stunning medal. I was taking photos of it and just happened to catch a marking in between its arms. I've never seen a mark on one of these before. I hope someone can identify what it means. Thanks, Ravs

Great job! Really nice piece.

Yes it is a WILM mark, your eyes are just as good =D

Hello gents, I recently acquired a batch of EKIIs in various conditions. This one stood out by far as the most pristine EKII I've ever seen. Just wanted to run it past you all here. Thanks, Ravs

Which regiment is it? I'm looking to move into shoulder board collecting too but it's a WHOLE other world to my humble medal collecting. Also congrats Chris!

Greetings Gentlemen! I have my first piece of WWI Aviation history (at least I hope I do!) A shoulder board wing from what I believe is a Bavarian unit. Question! What do these small crosses on the bottom mean? Are they a type of makers mark or quality control mark? Also I noticed that one of the wings seems bent out of shape but I can find NO stress marks showing that it was bent in that direction. Was this a common occurrence that the wings were not symmetrical? All the best, Ravs

Hi all, I realize my collection of WWI EKIIs has grown out of control with ribbon-less crosses. Does anyone know where to find some original ribbons? All the best, Ravs

Thanks for the reference! Well mine doesn't have that watered look that your has. Also the blue stripes on mine are a lot wider. I don't have a UV bulb to test it but the material doesn't feel like silk. And the edges have a different weave to them. I am guessing it is an old replacement ribbon?

I haven’t. Though what type of bulb should I get for such a test. I should get one.

It looks like just under 5 1/2 cm. Do you think it’s the Neck Ribbon then? It doesn't have a tie.

Here is a huge Bavarian Military Merit Ribbon that I came across on the left. I’ve placed a normal sized one for reference on the right. Is it for a medal bar? Or a neck? Thanks, Ravs

Wow that helps a ton! Thanks so much for this. I had only thought the crown was only for a second award but it looks like it was also based on rank. I really appreciate this. That whole thread is very interesting to read.

Thanks for the clarification on the officer/nco bit. I don't know why I thought the upper two were awarded to officers. But yeah I would love to know which ranks qualified for the 1st and 2nd class!

Hello Everyone! I have been trying to figure out who were awarded the "gold" 1st Class Bavarian Military Merit cross in WWI. I know that the 1st and 2nd classes were awarded to officers but which ones were regulated to which ones? Also does anyone know how many of the 1st class were awarded in WWI? Thanks, Ravs

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. I know that during the First World War there were some Belgian decorations made by the French. Does anyone know if this means it was awarded to a French person or just that since the Germans occupied 95% of Belgium it was made in France.

Hello Gents! I noticed that this Order of the Crown also lacks a "tie" in the wreath which is something I've only seen in "commanders" orders. This is also the first time I've seen a makers mark on ANY Belgian medal. Usually I can identify orders by other means or by the box it came in but this one has been a total mystery to me. Any help would be greatly appreciated. ~Ravs

Here is a picture of him from before the war. The number on his epaulettes seem to be 66 or 68. I am not familiar with regiments just yet but I'd love to find out. Pardon me if my old German is wrong but on the back it says " Uniform from before the War" I actually don't know what the first word there says but after that is "Linen"? Yeah I see the ribbon for the long service medal is very similar to this last ribbon. The one before that I wonder if that is another Bavarian Military Merit medal but without crown? I've seen bars with two Bav crosses, one with crown and then one they had prior.