Alex K

Hi Troy, 1813 Ist class crosses did have a plain centre, the original 1813 iron crosses, particularly the 2nd class were actually intended to be worn with the plain side showing with the reverse having the crown oakleaves and date. It was only after time when recipients started to wear them with the plain side as the reverse that it was, I believe officially sanctioned. It would therefore be natural for the Ist class to have a plain "Front". As to the cross posted, many did have loops for sewing onto the uniform. I can't vouch for it's authenticity but the rims look to be from a later period. regards Alex

Pretty amazing set of gongs regards Alex

Hi Milan, the photo is not dated but must be wartime as he is wearing the spange to his EKI & II regards Alex

I think this might be what your'e looking for http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=127423 regards Alex K

I would generally leave it alone. having said that, a long time ago I had one in similar condition, albeit an imperial one, I experimented with a thin gell which is used on automobiles to destroy rust spots, it worked very well and the bonus is that it actually turns the rust black and so you don't see it and it blends very nicely with the existing black paint, after many years, the rust had still not come back. just my ramblings regards Alex

Hi Greg, these are quite frightening and worry me as a collector. if looked at from a novices point of view they are quite convincing. And could be taken as the real thing with lots of money wasted. I have learned, particularly from this and other forums- fortunately to treat most if not all of early EK's with suspision. Fortunately with the exchange of info on forum sites we may, in the end advise and highlight such crap as the one posted and collectively learn to avoid the pitfalls which plague our hobby regards Alex

perhaps someone could enlighten me, are these possibly "Latvian" fakes once again? regards Alex

Hi dante, unfortunately I have my doubts, about it being period, the pin doesn't look right, and the frames look like a later product regards Alex

Congrats, that W & L is a beauty I think out of all the makers it's my favourite regards Alex

Oops! my mistake, your'e quite right Alex

How very true

Hi Troy, no expert on French medals, but genuine Vichy stuff is quite a bit rarer, such as the Vichy Croix de Guerre Once again same useful site regards Alex http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=h...l%3Den%26sa%3DG

Croix Du Combattant "Instituted 28th June 1930 for award to holders of the combatants card. Awarded to the veterans of the Great War and many of the participants of conflicts involving French forces since (including WW2, Korea, Indochina, North Africa, etc). In 1941 the Vichy Government authorised a new version of the Combatants Cross with the dates 1939-1940 on the reverse (last picture). The ribbon for the Vichy version was sky blue with black edges and three black central stripes. Wearing of the Vichy Combatants Cross was outlawed in 1944." http://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/foreigngu...rance_index.htm Regards Alex

Hi Troy, the triangular medal is the "Commemorative medal for the campaign 1914-18" regards Alex

Hi Troy look forward to receiving one Regards Alex

Hi Troy, you're welcome regards Alex

It's the Karl Truppenkreuz from Austria http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=h...l%3Den%26sa%3DN

Correct order of the Crown Gold medal

Correct Alex

Hi troy, yes it is correctly labelled, it's the medal of the order regards Alex http://www.klm-mra.be/engels/collecties/OM...d-II/14702.html

It does seem harsh, particularly if it was done in total innocence, but the law is the law. I remenber many years ago, in the early 70's when I was in Poland, I dearly wanted to buy military items but was told that I can, but cannot export them out of the country. It seems to be a common rule in former eastern Block countries, and a law which may still be practised post Communsim. Pity for those that collect soviet awards regards Alex

Hi Blitz, thanks, as I mentioned in my opening post, there are some really nice eastern european orders which have always been under appreciated regards Alex

Hi everyone, thanks for the thumbs up regards Alex

Hi I have these two examples of the KVKII without swords. Both, to my mind are late war zinc examples, are they original?, I think they are but this area of collecting is frought with danger, one has a maker mark of 41. any advice is appreciated. regards Alx

Hi Gentlemen, thanks for the info, useful and interesting link regards Alex