Komtur

Yes, it is the same source. The PlM group goes through the hands of the same person, I?ve got the chain from. Unfortunately on this time I did not know him Can you tell me detailed, where this group is to be find now? With regards, Komtur.

and the end is

the KO4 is fixed provisional, because on his place came the KO3

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the finest in my eyes is this one

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if you like it

So it was not very difficult to find the owner: the later Generalleutnant z.D. Egon von Vollard-Bockelberg (see his entry in the DOA 1908/09) He must has worn this chain between 1893 and 1898 (see his entry in this ranklists, I?ve got no other between)

the back

I got this mini chain with the information, it cames directly from a familiy "von Bockelsberg"

I feel responsible for some confusion when I went mixed up the Prussian Kleindekorationen, when there was a question about miniature devices on ribbon bars. I do not know much about the last ones, but I think, they were nonofficial. The Kleindekorationen were official decorations, but the persons with the "normal size decorations" had to buy them private. The Kaiser decided in that way in January 1914 and instructed the General-Ordenskommission to inform all persons, wich got up to that time the Black Eagle Order, the grand cross or 1st class REO, the Crown Order 1st class and the Order of the Prussian Crown that they are allowed to wear these decorations in a special small size. There were samples of these Kleindekorations made by Godet. All the above mentioned persons got a written information with a picture of the Godet sample and with a sketch how to wear the decoration. All these Kleindekoration are very rare, because there was only a time of four years for Imperial Germany left. In this time of war it was political correct to wear the plain EK on the uniform, but not the shiny small decorations. Additionaly only the persons with the highest classes of the prussian orders were allowed to wear these Kleindekorationen and that were only few in comparison to the mass of war decorations of that time. And the last point was the price. It must have been a little fortune and not everyone could afford that or want to spend money for that glitter in war times. (information and pics from Henning Volle in Orden&Militaria Journal 43/1981) With regards, Komtur.

small decoration of the Black Eagle Order by Godet:

For Prussia exists from 1914 the possibility to wear so called "Kleindekorationen" (small decoration) of high class orders: Black Eagle Order, Red Eagle Order 1st class and grandcross, Crown Order 1st class and Order of the Prussian Crown. These small decoration were not given by the Generalordenskommission, the decorated persons had to organize it by themselves and had to pay the jeweler for it. Kaiser Wilhelm II. und Zar Ferdinand von Bulgarien wearing the small decoration of the Black Eagle Order:

Just by chance I found this interesting thread. I can add the following: There is a promotion to a Dr. phil. from Stephan Malinowski "Vom K?nig zum F?hrer / Deutscher Adel und Nationalsozialismus" in a book edition from 2004 (Fischer-Verlag). He shows via statistics, that the Lippe F?rstenhaus WAS involved with the Nazis. From all former German ruling houses they had the highest proportion of NSDAP members (both Lippe 10 before 1933, Schaumburg-Lippe 10 after 1933, Lippe-Detmold 18 after 1933). Ernst Erbprinz zur Lippe joined the party in 1928 in the age of 26. He was the first of the former high aristocracy in the NSDAP. Later he was member of the personel staff of Walther Darr?. This may be an explanation for the above mentioned awards of the House Order after 1918. With regards, Komtur.

Sorry for the bad quality of the scans, but it is difficult to manage with the space of 110 K. If you get problems with reading, I have to split the pages in two parts... Or give me your e-mail address. With regards, Komtur.

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Hello Andrew, there is an outstanding book of Hans M?ller-Witten "Geschichte der Ritter des Ordens pour le m?rite im Weltkrieg" from 1935 mentioned every knight of this order in WWI with a short biography and with the reason for the award. For GdI Theodor von Watter I found there about 3 pages. If this information in German is usefull for you, I could add a scan here. with regards, Komtur.