Elmar Lang

Hello, besides phaleristic, I like to study old photographies and the ancient, photographic techniques. The images shown in this thread are most interesting. I'm also surprised to see the picture of that very, very old veteran wearing, besides two commemorative medals, the EK-II, Austria's Silberne Tapferkeitsmedaille (that could be either the Franz-II or the Franz-I type) and the Russian St. George Cross IV Class! It would be great, if one day he will be identified. Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)

You're right Paul, but I think that a ferocious "foreign fighter" risks much less than an openly recognized owner of an US Medal of Honor, as soon as he would be showing his "mens rea", trying to sell his piece. Now, I begin to fear any flying drone (although no mens rea, yet…). Enzo

I agree that orange is a delightful colour, but the large, black inscriptions printed on the back of those overalls, are disgracefully without any taste. Back to the topic, I've read about a relatively recent fact, where a person from Canada, sold a MoH on eBay (or a similar web-based place). The buyer, who actually was a Federal agent, asked the seller to personally take the piece to the US. The seller, aware of the law, was reluctant, but at the end accepted, after the insistence of the supposedly real buyer. Once entered in the US, at the meeting place, he was immediately arrested; the piece (another 27th Maine medal…) confiscated, etc. etc. I don't know anything about the fate of that gentleman. In my case -would I decide to part with one or both my medals, I will take as an alarming sign, if the "collector" would kindly ask to consign the piece at an US Consulate... Enzo (E.L.)

Thank you for the kind, interesting replies. Now, I assume I'd better avoid to go to a militaria show in the US, with my MsoH in the pocket. But I'm feeling much better, because I could pretend to be a Civil War veteran, decorated with the Medal of Honor. Interesting, Paul's remark on the "perfectly disguised" Federals mixed in the crowd... I'm also feeling much safe now, not existing the risk to see out of home a Chevrolet van of some "Acme plumbing Co." (with a tall antenna on top), black dressed gentlemen casually reading newspapers and me being their objective for an 'extraordinary rendition' (codename: "Wentworth's Barn"). Actually, I wouldn't like to live in Ft. Leavenworth, dressed in some orange overall...

Hello, thanks to a kind, fellow collector, I've been able to acquire two early Medals of Honor, one unnamed (with the 1896 ribbon) and one named, from the Civil War, with its proper ribbon. The second one, was not awarded to a hero of Bull Run, Shiloh, or Gettysburg, but to a soldier of the 27th Maine Vols.: at least a piece with a curious history behind it. Both pieces, with the engraver's signature of Paquet. The man whose name is engraved on the reverse, is Samuel S. Smith, from the "E" Company. He isn't in Col. Wentworth's list so I assume that this medal is from the group the late regiment's commander preserved in his barn, until it was plundered and the medals dispersed. We know that in 1917, all the awards to the 27th have been withdrawn and the names, canceled from the Roll of Honor. My collecting interest is centered on the Austrian monarchy, but I find fascinating certain awards for valour and gallantry from other countries too: the early, US Medal of Honor is to me highly attractive for its beautiful design, and its "low-profile" appearance, in my opinion not far from the British Victoria Cross. I've read about the law forbidding in the USA the trade and limiting the property of the MoH, the Purple Heart and other federal awards. My concern is about possible problems -as a collector- possessing these two pieces. By the way, I see that a well-known dealer from Canada has sold and is selling beautiful pieces of this medal. One, shall also be for sale at Hermann Historica… All the best, Enzo (E.L.)

Hello Igor, I don't see anything wrong with the star and its marks. I assume that those in the picture you've previously posted, are on a piece similar to that offered for sale at emedals (a piece on which I haven't any doubts about its originality). What would have been interesting is to see the actual piece (obverse and reverse) on which the posted marks are struck. Best wishes, Enzo

The context would be helpful. What decoration bears the hereby posted marks? Best, Enzo

Dear Yannick, thank you for your kind message with further info/hypotesis about my medal. Your cuban badge, is also beautiful and surely rare too! Let's hope that any info about our pieces would arise… Best, Enzo (E.L.)

About those "Kleindekorationen" of the Leopold, Iron Crown and Franz-Josef Orders, I can only adjective them as "disgraceful"...

In the past, I've bought some pieces belonged to Gen. v. Können-Horak: I should especially check the bottom of a case to a MDZ f. 25 Jahre.

Curious to say, after the paper inscription, this piece should come from the property of Gen. v. Können-Horak: some orders and decorations from his property, have been sold years ago. The reprint of the Michetschläger, although very good, has the plates reduced. The original edition has the illustration in 1:1 size, besides otherwise stated. Best wishes, E.L.

The Michetschläger is an expensive book, but it's a "must-have" one...

There are no doubts at all, that the "Kleindekoration" of the MVK in any class existed (thank you for the beautiful portrait picture and for the plate from Michetschläger's book!); only, until now I think I've never seen a MVK case, embossed with "Kleindekoration" as it is known for orders.

Actually, I've never seen a "Kleindekoration" case for the MVK, although it's some time since I've started to collect A-H awards. Most probably, they exist.

The cross itself is original, so the case, where "K.D." means "Kriegsdekoration". The ribbon (I mean the cloth part) surely is post-1918; the enamelled, metal detail would need some thorough examination. Best wishes, E.L.

It's impossible to mix such horrors with originals...

I'd humbly suggest the Commander's Cross of the Order of St. Maurice and Lazarus...

Hello, I think you are referring to the "Croce al Merito di Guerra" (War Merit Cross), because a Croce al Merito Militare (Cross for Military Merit), in 1947 didn't exist. "Marina Militare" is Italy's Navy, after the fall of the Monarchy (earlier, its name was "Regia Marina", or "Royal Navy"). S.Capo Segn. means "Sottocapo Segnalatore", or the rank immediately above Sailor, of the Signal Corps. Matr. 97289 is the number reported in his "dog-tag", in other words his enlistment number. cl. 1919 means "Classe 1919": he was born in 1919 Ferruccio Benvenuto (name and family name) "fu Giuseppe", means "son of the late Giuseppe" (first name of his father, deceased already, at the moment of the award) "I? Confessione - Part. Combatt.": I think the correct transcription should be: "I^ Concessione - Part. Combatt.", or "first award, for participation to fightings". The War Merit Cross, was awarded after a continuous period of presence and active participation to combats; meaning that this man received a further cross. the date, actually is when the decoration was awarded. Would it be possible to see a pictures of this paper? Best wishes, E.L.

Let's say that a manual, illustrating the copies made on behalf of EB, could be very useful. I would like to remember that it wasn't this late gentleman only, involved in the creation of "imperial" fakes. Now, regretfully, a new generation of fakes (not copies, just fakes) are coming on the market, but that's another story...

Interesting: I've never known, that EB tried to marry a Rothe, but I think that both the two kind ladies, showed good taste.

Hello, I would like to revive a discussion I've started back in 2009 so, nearly 10 years ago. Late in 2008, I've bought a Cuban medal about which, until now, I haven't found any reference. Below, a picture of the piece. The size is: 83,0 x 54,0 mm.(incl. the suspension loop). Thank you in advance for any information, Enzo (E.L.)

The collar of this Order, is very well illustrated, along with its neck ribbon fitted with enamelled ribbon-ring, in: Stephen Patterson: "Royal Insignia - British and Foreign Orders of Chivalry from the Royal Collection"; London, Merrell Holberton, 1996, page 167. Enzo (E.L.)

Hello, I've seen this interesting discussion and I can add that this breast star of the Black Eagle enriched with the Garter, is a copy or, better, a fake. It starts from a copy of the Prussian order, made by Rothe & Neffe, Vienna, then fitted with a Garter, coming from one of the Blass-connected manufacturers; changed, "German"-style pin and, as a final touch, the "Godet" escutcheon. A work depicting the production of Mr. Blass, could be quite useful, because it seems that his masterpieces are now more often appearing again on the market. A good guide though, are the catalogues of the Munich-based auction house, ruled by the late gentleman from Hamburg. We can prepare a lavishly illustrated book on Blass's fakes (and I'd love to have a copy of it!), but never forget that it will help us about THOSE fakes only. Let's never forget that the forgerer's workshop is never closed... In my opinion, the study of originals is the best way to avoid fakes. All the best, E.L.

I think that to identify the badge and uniforms, we should refer to early Czechoslowakia, or even Poland, from the early 20s. I cannot imagine that badge being an imperial AH one. Best, E.L.

The ÖGO is a well-known, serious association, that also publishes an interesting bulletin.