sambolini

Hi,

Bryan-thanks for the comment. Iver, you are right, of course, I stand corrected.

Kind regards,

Sam

Hi,

Great picture of some old vets that knew only victory. They all look really proud, especially the EK2 trager, this was before the EK2 was greatly debased. Maybe the crazy hat is some sort of regional costume?

Regards,

Sam

Reverse

Kriegsmedaille 1873 / Feuerwehr-Ehrenmedaille für 10 Dienstjahre der ungarischen Reichshälfte / Jubiläums-Erinnerungsmedaille 1898 / Ungarn, Jubiläumsmedaille 896-1896 / Militär-Jubiläumskreuz 1908

If we speak about Cross for Merit in War (OEK 2717), I have just read the paper of Neal O'Connor about this cross in his book. When Duke Bernhard of Saxe Meiningen created this cross on March 7, 1916 " it is to recognize sepcial merit on the part of officers in the war, both in action and behind the lines" p . 187 of Tome 5.

And the Medal for Merit in War (OEK Nr. 2718); this cross was created same date as above but"fro non commissioned officers and men".

For the moment I have never seen on photo and in text Cross for Merit in War awarded for NCO. I have a doubt if Felwebel Leutnant is consider as officer or NCO.

Christophe

Hi,

Thanks for taking the time to look up the information. I agree, of course. I just thought that the issue had come up in a past thread.

Kind regards,

Sam

Hi,

Nice bar, Godet is the best and the Saxe-Meiningen Ehrenkreuz für Verdienste im Kriege is one of the best looking imperial state decorations for bravery. I think there is still a question as to this decoration being awarded to officers only . I always thought so, but I think others here have proven they were given to NCO's as well.

Kind regards,

Sam K.

You wouldnt know which publications would you. As I said I am not foolish enough to think that this is the only copy of the picture but from what I have seen during my search this is not one of the more common ones.

Hi,

I'm sorry, but I can't remember exactly which one. I had several books on AFV's, but I sold them recently. Perhaps it was a different photo, but the same crew? Several of the individuals stand out in my memory is why I think I've seen it before.

Regards,

Sam

Hi,

I'm quite certain this photo has been published. I'm certain I've seen it in publications dealing with the A7V's.

Regards,

Sam

Hi,

Great Pics, thanks for sharing. Finnish orders and medals are among my favorites. The uniforms are fantastic as well. Great museum.

Regards,

Sam

Wow......great picture !!! Please what is the correct name for the flying award he is wearing??? OEK number?

Hi,

It would seem this is a flying club badge- see here in WARLORD'S thread:http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=5516&st=20

Such condition is usually considered not for a collection, but some things are so rare, that the condition is not important!

Wow!,

That's an understatement in this case. Great uniform and very interesting thread. Many thanks for showing this to the forum.

Kind regards,

Sam K.

Hi,

Nice photo. A two row medal bar! I had no idea Ritter Von Epp was so well decorated.

Kind regards,

Sam K.

Great!

This a fantastic "new" resource.

Regards,

Sam

Indeed, a lot of them look like they came out of a Cracker Jack box. Much worse quality than their American counterparts.

Regards,

Sam

In the American army of this period, for instance, a Corporal or Sergeant might be "reduced to the ranks" for no fault whatsoever. Simply being reassigned to another company that already had its quota of NCOs meant the new man lost all "temporary" rank-- a demotion in fact if not intention.

Interesting, I never knew this.

Regards,

Sam

Hello!

I think this is an WW1 French Tank?

All the best

Nesredep

Hi,

That's the turret from the obsolete panzer 35(t). When this tank became obsolete some 36 turrets were removed and placed on the atlantic wall fortifications. The chasis were used for other applications. Source of information: Der Panzerkampfwagen 35(t) by Joachim Baschin. It was a Czech WWII tank.

Regards,

Sam K.

Hi,

Beautiful ribbon bar, I really like these old style trapezoidal bars.

Regards,

Sam

\"Challenge Coin\" has come to mean just about anything with a unit designation on it.

The lore is that challenge coins were carried to demonstrate unit membership. You were given one upon completion of whatever training was required for unit membership. The real use was as part of a bar game. One could issue a challenge by slapping your coin on the bar; anyone without his coin had to buy the next round. This was even extended beyond the bar.

Now, every first sergeant seems to have one that is used as a give-away to unit visitors, atta-boys, shims for short table legs, whatever. Some of these have multi-color enamel and detailed, elaborate designs, looking like Technicolor hockey pucks. These seem to collected the way folks used to collect match books.

The first use of a challenge coin I ever witnessed was in 1975. A 5th SF officer was challenged in the Lowry AFB Officers\' Club. He produced his coin, thereby requiring the challenger to buy the round. Many brain cells were killed that night.

I've never been able to convince myself that these things are \"collectable\".

Hi,

I had never heard of a challenge coin until my son joined the Army back in 2002. I myself spent 8 years in the USMC. When did this practice start and what exactly are they for? I'm still don't really understand them even after my son gave me a somewhat rambling explanation.

Kind regards,

Sam

Hi

Thanks for posting. It's the only one I've ever seen.

Regards,

Sam

Hi,

Very nice indeed. I wonder if he survived the war and was able to mount his EK2 (perhaps in a more up to date style of bar )

Hi,

Are the center medallions attached seperately?

Regards,

Sam

Hi,

Absolutely fantastic museum and very well displayed. It's amazing that it came from one individuals collection.

Regards,

Sam

Hi Naxos,

Thank you for the translation.

Kind regards,

Sam K.

Hi,

I just acquired this pic, I'd love to have that bar. From what I see it is:

RAO4 X

KO 3rd class (?) X

Long Service

SWA with 4 bars

Centenary

Freidrich Orden 1st X

Saxon Albert Orden 1st X