ChrisKelly

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.

Sources: https://www.battle-of-arnhem.com/the-death-of-generalmajor-friedrich-kussin/ https://ww2gravestone.com/friedrich-kussin-the-first-general-to-be-killed-during-operation-market-garden/ https://www.battledetective.com/Kussin_Junction.html

https://www.forosegundaguerra.com/viewtopic.php?t=22501

Source: https://www.kpemig.de/Neue-Artikel-250522

Source: https://www.ratisbons.com/shop/militaria-from-1918/documents-paperwork/single-certificate-or-document/certificate-to-wound-badge-in-black-awarded-to-a-civilian.html [Last two words in line three of the ink-stamped signature element at the bottom of the document are legible enough to read: "Luftgau VI"]

Not sure if this veteran "substituted" a 1939 badge for a 1918 badge. Seems unlikely. However, he may have been subsequently wounded in the Second World War, as even civilians were awarded the Wound Badge if wounded in Allied air raids against Germany, from March 1943 until May 1945. Further documents are missing... All his "kriegschronik" states is his First World War service, including being wounded in action at Noyon, on 9 June 1918, and his subsequent two years covalescence, which apparently ended 30 March 1920. Whoever created that "kriegschronik" document did a fantastic job, and may have had access to both Guardsman Karl Schmick and his Wehrpass. Loved the portrait in the parade/dress uniform. By the way... What kind of belt buckle is that, with just the kaiser's crown? I've never seen one like it. Adds flair to that uniform. Nice.

My latest acquisition. Once it arrives, I'll see if those "blemishes" on the reverse are hallmarks.

Definitely a blackened silver grade badge that's been "de-nazified".

L22 Wound Badge in Black: Rudolf Souval of Vienna, Austria. Wonder if it's "de-nazified". It's a solid reverse, which makes me think it was originally a silver grade badge, or, potentially, a 1957 black grade badge. The 1914 Iron Cross Second Class is a KO [Königliches Münzamt Orden/Berlin] production, likely late war or early post-war [1917-1921]. Nice, clear hallmark on the suspension ring. Decent, well-worn group. The "kriegs-chronik" is a custom job. Beautiful art-nouveau. Should be framed. Likely once was. This entire group makes a really grand display.

"Versorgungsamt" basically means "supply office". The recipient may have been given one by the issuing authority which confirmed his award.

"Berechtigungsausweis" translates to "authorization document", and from the date, 23 September 1937, it is apparent that Oberfeldmeister, which is an RAD [Reichsarbeitsdienst] rank equivalent to Oberleutnant, Dr. Stephan Billinger, received cofirmation that he was entitled to wear the Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwartz. His authorization comes from the "dispatch office" ["Beforgungsamt"] in Landshut, Bavaria. It also indicates that he is a recipient of the Army version of the badge. Likely, he is an imperial army veteran of the First World War who has received confirmation that he can wear the 1918 Army Wound Badge in Black on his RAD uniform. Sources: Image 2 [1918Army Wound Badge in Black] https://www.officerscolours.com/en-GB/german-awards/imperial-german-wwi-black-wound-badge-/prod_11223 Image 3 [1918 Navy, or "Marine" Wound Badge in Black] https://katzauction.com/lot/761478?title=Germany---Empire-Marine-Corps-Wound-Badge-1918

That's super extra cool! Myself, on a personal note, I'd love to own a Transport Medal/War Medal 1914-1918/Mercantile Marine Medal or a Transport Medal/QSA group. Not knowing any better, I'll bet it's an exhorbitant price tag. My second post, the miniature War Medal 1914-1918/Mercantile Marine Medal group, is the only pre-Second World War group I own. It is not named to the recipient. [I'd more so settle for a miniature group of the aforementioned...]

This is all I could locate: "Description An Albanian State Prize Medal; Bronze Grade - Bronze gilt on silver, obverse illustrating the Albania People's Republic coat-of-arms, reverse inscribed "FITONJESI I CMIMIT TE REPUBLIKES I SHKALLES III-TE", 26 mm, suspended from a bronze gilt rectangular frame with red ribbon, screwback, contact marks and gilt wear evident, better than very fine." Source: https://www.emedals.com/products/albania-a-state-prize-medal-bronze-grade-eu7538

Mea culpa. That came from: https://www.angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-awards/31695-transport-medal-group-to-chief-engineer-m-roberts-ss-englishman It is a reference to the second image in the first post. I must have added a wrong image. The eighth reference in the first post states: "In addition to the military honours and to also honour non-military townsfolk who took part in the defence of the town during the siege, Mayor of Kimberley H.A. Oliver instituted the Kimberley Star in 1900. The medal was awarded to all men who were engaged in the defence of Kimberley as well as to members of the British Forces in the Kimberley Garrison. These included, amongst others, the Kimberley Town Guard, the Kimberley Regiment, the De Beers Maxim Battery, the Cape Police, the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and the Diamond Fields Artillery. Since the medal did not enjoy official status, however, the military recipients were not allowed to wear the medal in uniform."

My contribution to the KVM discussion... https://www.worldmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/320675-kriegsverdienstmedaille/

This may help. I can't remember where I found it.

One more. Unmarked suspension ring, magnetic core.

In spite of it all, I like that medal bar. I am looking forward to your next acquisition.

One more consideration... Be super extra careful. You cannot clean any of the medals without severely damaging them. The surface corrosion, unfortunately, is permanent. The Iron Cross's suspension ring does look too far recessed in the ribbon to try and determine if there's a hallmark on it without damaging or destroying the ribbon. Myself, I'd like to see the whole medal bar. In spite of the corrosion, that's a nice Iron Cross. Since the Honor Cross for Front Fighters is part of it, it is a Third Reich medal bar. That may explain your seller's reticence to say anything more about it than it's for sale by the owner.

For "Michaelwave": You may be able to turn the suspension ring on the Iron Cross to see the hallmark, if there is one. However, be super extra careful! Given the humidity/moisture to which this medal bar has been exposed, the ribbons are likely "hard" and will break and crumble easily. Disappointing that the great grandson sold off his great granfather's medal bar. One more family heirloom sent away to the anonymity of the collector's market.

Some references: http://www.gwpda.org/medals/italmedl/italy.html Source: https://ww1photographs.wordpress.com/2014/01/26/a-group-of-italian-medals/

Addendum: https://www.kaisersbunker.com/stuff/1914_EK2_makers.htm

Description: "The specimen offered in this auction is a privately purchased piece from Weimar era (1919-1933) with multi-piece construction - two frame halves from cast silver and blackened cast iron core. The core is magnetic. Not marked but known variant of company C. F. Zimmermann, Pforzheim (this type was found in so called "Zimmermann hoard"). Apart from awarded pieces, many period privately purchased or display pieces were made by companies such as Godet & Sohn Berlin, AWS Berlin, or C. F. Zimmermann Pforzheim. $3,899.00 + $22.00 shipping or Best Offer" Source: https://www.ebay.com/itm/135127023654

That Iron Cross has some surface rust on it, as does the Honor Cross next to it, so it has been exposed to moisture/humidity. Given the "stylized"/"art nouveau" 1914 date on the front, and the taller, slimmer "W", I am tempted to guess it may be a "WILM", likely manufactured sometime 1917-1921. Sources: Image1: WILM [H.J.Wilm/Berlin] https://gielsmilitaria.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=16595 Image 2: WILM [H.J.Wilm/Berlin] https://bevo-militaria.com/shop/sold/ww1-1914-iron-cross-second-class-by-wilivi/ Image 3: WILM [H.J.Wilm/Berlin] https://gielsmilitaria.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=12460 Image 4: KO [Königliches Münzamt Orden/Berlin] https://gielsmilitaria.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=15994