Alex K

Yes, correct, but not many in RAD Uniform which was what was asked for regards Alex K

This any use? curtesy of AHF and NAC

It's the main reason I would flatly refuse to donate anything, military or not to ANY museum. IMHO the government pays for our institutions including the MOD with Taxpayer's (Our) money, to take what is by definition therefore "Publicly owned" assets and dispose of them willy-nilly is wrong. The fact that the medals may well end up hanging in the officers mess is immaterial as they will no doubt now be off-limits to the public who paid for them with taxes, I bet those frequenting the mess wont even notice them. Just my little rant Alex K

Signed

Hi all, I have this 1st pattern RK in my collection and wonder as to its authenticity. The core is iron and magnetic, frames neusilber and silver plated, good definition on the oaks and dates, with no discernible beading flaws. It's what I call a "Rattler", there is just sufficient tolerance between the frames and the core to allow the core to move when shaken, similar to a couple of WW" EK2's I have from Wachtler & Lang. The loop is stamped 800 Any comments appreciated. regards Alex K

Hi Greg, thanks for the info, it doesn't surprise me that the piece I posted is a fake. My main question was not so much about the piece shown per se but about the existence or otherwise of a specifically produced 1870 version of a Grand Cross star (in reality so to speak), that's why I qualified my original posting with the question is it a fantasy piece, which it appears to be from available information, someone obviously believes it to be a genuine part of the Iron Cross family, hence known copies up for sale, the difference with the images you posted, these are fakes of actual awards. regards Alex

I'll have a look in my files, found it, it was being offered by "media.liveauctiongroup.net), description, (Bit confusing) "ORDER OF THE IRON CROSS-1914-THE HINDENBURG STAR-OUTSTANDING MUSEUM COPY * PAUL VON HINDENBURG WAS THE ONLY RECIPIENT OF THIS AWARD- 3 1/2" IN WIDTH-HAS IRON CROSS CENTER-WITH 1870-"W" AND CROWN- NICELY DETAILED STARBURST-REVERSE PIN SEEMS TO BE MARKED "DESCHLER & SOHN"--GREAT LOOKING MUSEUM DISPLAY COPY" went unsold, and the pin is stamped Deschler & Sohn but it is double overstamped. In the end I may have partially answered my own question in respect that it is a copy, but a copy of something which appears may not have ever existed! It would be interesting to find out if Deschler & Sohne,made it, or when they went out of business (if indeed they did), to determine if it's an old or new copy, if old, (and they were prolific during the TR period making medals etc ) why mess around producing a fantasy piece, just a few thoughts regards Alex Just to pick up on Von Moltke yes I agree he most probably deserving of the award, but for some reason, it never happened. as an aside, attached an image from Gottmituns.net website showing a nice image with the grand cross PLM, if you look closely at the top button of his mantle you can make out the reflection of the photographer! Nice shiny buttons in those days

Hi, you seem to confirm my thoughts, The reasons for asking the question is that I understand quality copies of now unobtainable original awards are/were made, but the attached image, seems like a nicely produced piece even though if true, it never existed, so why would someone go to the trouble of producing a non-existent award? regards

Hi sounds like a good job, contacted him about repair to enamel on a damaged Godet made Turkish Halbmund award, I'll let you know what happens. regards Alex K

Hi Cartaphilus thanks for the reply, no 1870 stars were actually awarded then, but do you know if any were actually produced or existed? regards

Hi Gentlemen, thanks for the quick responses, yes I was referring to the star rather than the GC. Sorry if I didn't make myself clearer regards Alex

Hi all, a fairly simple question (I hope). Grand cross stars, one was produced in 1813, awarded once to Blucher, one produced in 1914, awarded to Hindenburg, one produced but not awarded in 1939, none for 1957 for obvious reasons, but what about 1870? Was one produced or existed from that period and if so was it ever awarded? Information seems scant even though copies or repros seem to exist, are these fantasy pieces? regards Alex K

Hi all, 2 new images colourised, both were posted by GMIC member Bernhard H Holst and posted with his approval. W Herold and Oblt Otto Hielscher regards Alex K I can't seem to attach links to the threads

I agree, both are original crosses but a bit expensive for what they are

Hi and thanks for the reply, I thought I wasn't going mad!, maybe his superior could have taken him to one side and whispered in his ear "Ludwig, it's on the wrong way" ] regards Alex

Hi all, I've been looking at some portraits on the 'net and came across this one, nothing remarkable, however the more I looked at it, the more convinced I became that he's wearing his oaks upside down!! or have I been spending to much time on frivolity? any thoughts? regards Alex K Generalleutenant Ludwig Wolff

Hi 922F, interesting information and thanks for posting the 10 year star, all in all, if I assume correctly, these can then be described as "Personal" awards to Boris III, the 10 year star appears to be set with brilliants. regards Alex

Hi 922F thanks for the additional info, I wondered about the gilt laurels based on the original black and white image and the laurels on the suspension ring on the LS award, however another attempt at what it may have looked like! (Actually, if correct, I nice looking award IMHO) regards Alex

Thanks, I can't be a 100% certain but it is based on the Bulgarian 20 year long service cross and a standard "Starburst". It would be nice if someone could come up with a real image, I imagine that such a unique decoration must have been catalogued somewhere. The black and white blow-up seems to look like the starburst is in fact studded with brilliants (Diamonds) as per 922F's comments regards

Hi new world, yes it had me stumped but thanks to member 922F, we now know. Attached is a composite image I've created based on assumed details of what it may have looked like. Anyone got a real image?

Hi Chip, thanks for the comments, don't know why I went wrong there, but I welcome comments when I do these things as I like to be as accurate as possible, how about the other two? regards Alex

I'm game for a challenge (Chip), attached a quick colourisation of one of them, I might try the others Alex K

a few more, ladies of the Reich! 1) Irma Grese SS Helferin at Belsen, was hung after the end of the war. 2) A young Mrs Hitler (Hoffmann portrait) 3) Unknown but I believe that it's a genuine wartime photo, Well she's wearing an SS uniform so I assume it to be of military interest!

Hi 922F very interesting info, so it's a special "One-off" award, no wonder I couldn't find anything, thanks for the info. regards Alex K

Hi all, I was hoping for a little help identifying an order, I have searched all sorts of European orders but cannot identify it, (I'm sure that in the end it'll be easy). Worn by King Boris III of Bulgaria, the neck dec and top star are the St Cyril and Methodius, that's easy, it's the other one giving me grief, any ideas?, any help appreciated as usual. A small colour image showing the award, looks like some version of Bene Merenti regards Alex K