ChrisKelly

Got another... This was sold as simply a "reproduction", no class indicated. It's the size of a standard 1939 Iron Cross Second Class. One piece, die cast. Could be a good replacement for a Knight's Cross as a "theater costume prop". Decent detail. Sometime in the mid-1980s, I think it cost me $5USD. Also from the Collector's Armoury.

Issues of the U.S. Army's 29th Infantry Division newspaper, "Let's Go!" from right after the end of the war in Europe. First image, notice the article, "Photo Contest For 29 Queen" (Monday, May 28, 1945). Second image, "First Entry In Photo Contest" (Monday, June 4, 1945)... Does the second sentence read "This pizeat shot of the 5 foot 2 package was sumbitted by Major R. E. Walker of Omaha, Neb."? If so, what does "pizeat" mean?

Another neat example:

Source: https://griffinmilitaria.com/product/mecklenburg-schwerin-1914-mil-merit-cross-1st-class/

"Fake Alert! MIKE EPPINGER DEC 7, 2016 MILITARY MERIT CROSS, MECKLENBURG-SCHWERIN, 2nd CLASS These reproduction medals are coming out of Germany and sold as “originality unknown” on eBay with an opening bid of .99. The telltale signs that these are not original are imperfections revealing that the medals are cast rather than stamped." Source: https://www.militarytrader.com/militaria-collecting-101/fake-alert

"Militärverdienstkreuz The Mecklenburg Militärverdienstkreuz was instituted on August 5th, 1848 by Grand duke Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin for the war with Danmark. Originally it was instituted with only one class, hanging from a ribbon. It was not before 1870 when two classes were instituted. Eventually the decorations consisted of two classes and could be awarded to any military, regardless of their rank. The era/war it was awarded for was depicted by the different years on the lower arm of the cross. This way variations can be found in order of date: 1848, 1849 (First war of Schleswig and oppression of the German Revolution), 1859 (2nd Italian War of independence), 1864 (German-Danish War), 1866 (Austrian-Prussian War), 1870 (French-Prussian War), 1877 (Russian-Turkish War), 1900 (Boxer Rebellion), undated version (colonial wars at the beginning of the 20th century) and 1914 (First World War)." From: https://www.tracesofwar.com/awards/4649/Militärverdienstkreuz.htm Additional Sources: https://www.germandaggers.com/Gallery/MW1.php https://www.germandaggers.com/Gallery/MW1.php

Kaiser Wilhelm I, 1797-1888, is wearing the Mecklenburg-Schwerin Militärverdienstkreuz 1.Klasse. It 's the gold colored cross on the right side of his tunic. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Merit_Cross_(Mecklenburg-Schwerin)

They're original... Not "official" government issue medals, but genuine 1920s items, commemorative crosses for major battles. German manufacture. I've never seen one faked.

Medal looks geuine... An early issue in tombak. Nice medal. Below are some originals for comparison. The first four images show a tombak issue. Images 5 & 6 show a war-time zinc issue. Sources: https://aboutww2militaria.com/rad-long-service-award-women-2nd-class-18-years.html https://gielsmilitaria.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=11210 https://gielsmilitaria.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=13732

Ribbon bar from post #8... I bought it. Decent, fair price. Unique.

Latest acquisitions... Both 50mm long, swastika 8mm. Nickel-plated tombak.

Was the Iron Cross Second Class 1939 ever awarded to civilians, other than Hanna Reitsch, German Red Cross Nursing Sisters, and the various and sundry Hitler Youth and RAD detachments which found themselves in/around/near front-line combat?

My last two posts (above)... The Reichsluftschutzbund tinnies... In agreement with Nick, these tinnies ("Luftschutz tut not" ~ Roughly, "air defense is necessary") can be purchased for $20-35USD. The ones in my second post are more common than pennies in change. The one below was $44.95USD. The similar one above was $39.95USD. Both are tin.

A 1939 War Merit Medal stickpin. Rarely encountered. Source: https://www.1944militaria.com/Original_Third_Reich_War_Merit_Cross_Stick_Pin_p/ornspin46.htm

Latest RLB acquisition:

This is for Rocket: I'd like to express my heartfelt condolences. What an irreplaceable loss. His courage means he may be gone, but never forgotten. This should remind all of us what these medals can cost someone, especially those who remain behind. Medals are never an adequate compensation for a human life. He died doing something he believed in, knowing the risks involved, and he went the full measure. I respect that completely. You have my admiration and appreciation for raising a fine son, and a brave soldier. https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-military/2023/02/27/us-army-veteran-killed-fighting-in-ukraine/?fbclid=IwAR1yeWHEQhO-Ycgp317oKPd6SqVQW2rG4_DvV0oXby2fpg4vQuTvqf7guu0&contentFeatureId=f0fmoahPVC2AbfL-2-1-8&contentQuery={"includeSections"%3A"%2Fhome"%2C"excludeSections"%3A""%2C"feedSize"%3A10%2C"feedOffset"%3A1025} https://merrillfotonews.com/stories/merrill-native-travels-to-washington-dc-to-accept-ukrainian-medal-awarded-posthumously-to-his-son,183164

(Seriously, that is a beautiful group.) Iron Cross in gold, silver and bronze... For... Erster, zweiter und dritter Platz?

What I can confirm is that the ribbons and mounting plates are all modern replacements. The suspension ring on the Medal For Distinguished Labor was replaced with a solid sterling silver ring hallmarked "925".

Never tried mineral oil. I'm not sure how well that would preserve what's left. It might, but it won't remove corrosion and rust that's already there. Those are nice strikes, those medals. I'd get a "beater" on which I could experiment... An "expendable" so to speak.

Looks like there may be a hallmark on the suspension ring. My guess is a war-time "K.O." issue.

Would love to read about it. All I really know is that these aren't "standard/presentation/official" issue. They're authentic to be sure, but that's all I know. Maybe myth and legend. Any further information is more than welcome.

I recently acquired this group, allegedly all belonged to one man. No award booklets. I got the book by Brezhnev seperately, and surprisingly, it's in super extra mint condition, like never been touched by human hands super extra mint condition. I thought it was fascinating, since it relates to a lesser-known subject that the lion's share of collectors have no interest in. I thought I got a good deal.

In general, I think the labor medals are under-rated. I've always fancied the civilian/non-military awards, as long as they don't go "over-the-top", such as monarchist jubilee medals and "anniversary of ..." (except, of course, the various and sundry anniversary medals for the Great Patriotic War). Insofar as collecting, my experience has been that labor medals are definitely a very narrow market segment. Consequently, one should be able to get some great deals. The Soviet/Communist/Socialist/Warsaw Pact material is neat stuff. Those two Bulgarian medals "gjw" posted are way cool. It's also a creative way to familiarize yourself with Cyrillic.

That's cool!