ChrisKelly

Glad I got that sorted out. Mea culpa.

I was curious about those two "commemorative medals", however, I have been unable to find any further information other than what "Shots Dave" provided... Except that, in spite of mysterious origins, these "awards" somehow command high two and sometimes low three figure prices on the collectors market. I am still mildly curious about their various origins. {e.g. Why would a guy with an M.B.E. and a 1939-1945 War Medal want or wear "fake medals"?} I did locate a collateral "thread" on GMIC:

Archduke Karl Ludwig Josef Maria of Austria (30 July 1833 – 19 May 1896) was the younger brother of both Franz Joseph I of Austria and Maximilian I of Mexico, and the father of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria (1863–1914), whose assassination ignited World War I. His grandson was the last emperor of Austria, Charles I. Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archduke_Karl_Ludwig_of_Austria

https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/272503-miniature-clasps-to-british-war-medal/

Curious to know if anyone can identify the medals pictured, other than the M.B.E. and the 1939-1945 War Medal. Awards to Samuel Beaver King, 1926-2016, a Second World War R.A.F. veteran.

I bought this one. Much better close-ups below.

Additional Sources: "All ranks of the Special Constabulary could be awarded this medal. The qualifying period was 9 years unpaid service with over 50 duties per year. War service counted as triple, so 3 years service with over 50 duties per year qualified for the medal." https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/1919-07-21/debates/f3d5aebd-8e69-47f0-af77-9ce227f58102/SpecialConstabularyMedal https://www.empiremedals.com/products/special-constabulary-ls-eiir-1?srsltid=AfmBOopBWmjDDVEwfGHCWb7Mc7_iO-MsblcbQLCG0-GkBcho0c8fR-jm https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Constabulary_Long_Service_Medal

Sources: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Constabulary_Long_Service_Medal https://www.dearoldblighty.com/en-GB/all-items/mbe-police-special-constabulary-miniature-medal-pair-/prod_20319 https://elliottmilitary.com/product/special-constabulary-long-service-miniature-medal/ https://www.badgesandmedals.co.uk/index.php/product/ww2-defence-medal-and-gvir-special-constabulary-medal-pair/ https://www.officerscolours.com/en-GB/miscellaneous/special-constabulary-long-service-medal/prod_10303 https://www.cultmancollectables.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=16199 https://www.tooveys.com/lots/571015/a-medal-for-faithful-service-in-the-ulster-special-constabulary/ Sources: https://www.cultmancollectables.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=4368 https://www.reemandansie.com/auction/lot/604-george-v-special-constabulary-long-service-medal-named-to-par-offr-frederic-rose-together-with-a-george-vi-special-constabulary-long-service-medal-named-to-clement-o-rose-with-box-of-issue/?lot=146721&sd=1 https://www.cultmancollectables.com/shop-online/military-medals?product_id=4421 https://www.easyliveauction.com/catalogue/lot/76708219b8c5414e96f49b6e3ca368f5/86cba608b14f7dda2f72c6f5ebdaa66a/lockdales-coins-medals-militaria-weapons-auction-247/

This medal was established on 9 December 1933, and is commonly seen on medal bars/ribbon bars to German participants of the First World War. Good source: https://bulgariandecorations.com/medals/for_participation_in_the_war_of_1915-1918

Translated from Polish to English using "Google". Best I could come up with. "Hi "Blut und Boden" emblem. Can you use? If the topic is inappropriate, please go to the appropriate sections. We apologize for the inconvenience. Regards"

Order(s) of Mehdi(?): Sources: https://katzauction.com/lot/672382 https://www.medalbook.com/africa-north/morocco/orders/order-of-mehdi/type-i-i-1937-45/order-of-mehdi-type-ii-grand-cross-breast-star-3/order-of-mehdi-type-ii-grand-cross-breast-star-0 https://www.emedals.com/products/morocco-spanish-protectorate-an-order-of-mehdi-commander-type-i-w8099 https://katzauction.com/lot/672384

Another cool one I liked...

Arrived today. No apparent hallmarks on reverse. (Close-ups, first two images).

Close-up of the "Russia braid":

Close-ups of the "Russia braid":

Both those devices are not official to those ribbons, but it was common practice to attach them. They were available as stickpins, miniatures and ribbon devices, authorized or not, from tens of thousands of retail sources in Germany, 1919-1939. Still, that's an original ribbon bar, obviously unaltered, and it looks really cool with those devices!

That was a tough one. I enjoyed doing the research, though. Whatever that medal really is, it may have some value above and beyond the run-of-the-mill Austro-Hungarian commemorative/jubilee medals. It looks like it's gold plated.

"gjw"'s first post... Don't know what this is? No problem. Start from the basics. First, the reverse inscriptions, the top being in German and the bottom being in Czech. Both say the same, roughly translated, "For Commemoration (of) Imperial Maneuvers near/at Chotowin (Chotoviny in Czech) and Tabor Bohemia 1913". Chotowin is just north of Tabor. On the obverse, two portraits in profile, and inscription "Franz Josef I. Franz Ferdinand of (Austria) Este." Almost looks like some combination of Latin and Czech. The ribbon looks home-made, and the yellow/black combination of stripes is common to many Austro-Hungarian jubilee medals and long service awards, although I have never seen a ribbon like this one on any other Austro-Hungarian medals. Franz Josef I was the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, 1848-1916. Archduke Franz Ferdinand was Franz Josef's younger brother and was, 20 November 1875 – 28 June 1914, also His Imperial and Royal Highness Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria-Este. Sources: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tábor https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archduke_Franz_Ferdinand_of_Austria https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria-Este https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Joseph_I_of_Austria https://alex.onb.ac.at/cgi-content/alex?aid=shb&datum=1914&page=22&size=45 https://www.hrady-zriceniny.cz/s_tabor.htm https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tábor https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chotoviny https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_German_names_for_places_in_the_Czech_Republic

The document, to a corporal in Panzerjäger-Abteilung 561, dated for the first day of Operation BARBAROSSA. [Below, translated into English. The source web-site is in German]. Anti-tank Battalion (mot) 561 Panzerjäger Division 561 Panzerjäger Division (Sfl) 561 Established on August 26, 1939 in Berlin-Dahlem as an army troop with the 8th Army. On April 1, 1940 in Renamed Panzerjäger Battalion 561. On May 10, 1940 assinged to the XIII. Army Corps. At this time the battalion consisted of three companies, each with 12 x 3.7-cm anti-tank guns. Transferred to the 1st Army in March 1941 and with the 9th Army as a reserve on June 22, 1941. On July 10, 1941, the battalion was reassinged to the LVII. Panzer Corps and on July 15, 1941 to the 9th Army. Then on July 20, 1941 at the XX. Army Corps and on July 29, 1941 with the V Army Corps. Then on September 29, 1941 to the 9th Army and on January 3, 1942 to the VI. Army Corps. On January 5, 1942, the 2nd Company joined the 216th Infantry Division. Subordinated to the 9th Army in 1942. In October 1942 the XXVIII Army Corps. At that time the battalion consisted of three companies, each with 4 x 3.7-cm anti-tank guns and 6 x 5-cm anti-tank guns. On October 13, 1942 it was renamed Panzerjäger-abteilung (Sfl) 561. In September 1943, it was refitted with the Marder tank destroyer. At the end of the war the department was with the XVIII. Army Corps in Silesia. Source: https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/PanzerabwAbt/PzAbwAbt561-R.htm

I like these ribbon bars. Plain and simple. Do you think they're originals or reproductions/"put-togethers-with-original-parts"?

I found this image of Konstantin Hierl, made after 1939... Question, though... Never seen Hierl wearing that style of collar patch, and the ribbons aren't cosistent with those in "xxx"'s post on 2 January 2025 (first image). Hierl liked the "Bavarian Style" ribbon bars. My confusion came when I found the third image (below) on wikipedia. Are the collar patches consistent with/appropriate to the rank on the shoulder boards? Still, I think it's Hierl. Do you think it's Konstantin Hierl? Source: https://www.germanmilitaria.com/Political/08RAD.html

I have never seen that combination of medals before. That, the obvious unofficial "Weltkrieg 1914-18" bar, the apparently felt cloth backing, and the fresh reproduction ribbons are dead giveaways. I wonder if the medals are reproductions as well.