Elmar Lang

Hello, The Feldpilotenabzeichen pictured above, is a copy that can be attributed to the "workshop" of the late Ernst Blass. Many of such pieces have been sold on the catalogues (Auction and "Merkur" ones) of the firm Graf Klenau OHG Nachf. of Munich, Germany, when owned by the mentioned Mr. Blass.

Hello, a very well made close-up of the Zimbler mark would help. Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)

For instance, the Italian "Colonial Order of the Star of Italy", instituted in 1911, was made in a form of a white enamelled five-pointed star. The suspension crown (present in the classes from Officer upwards) was the typical, Italian royal crown, but the upper orb, was plain, without the cross. E.L.

Hello, all Austrian, officially made Tapferkeitsmedaillen (except the Golden ones of the 1859-'66 type), should bear the official engraver's name under the Emperor's bust. If not, they are pieces made by various firms firms, for private purchase. Some types of the privately-made medals are interesting pieces and are worth to be collected. E.L.

I agree with Macchianera. E.L.

Let's never forget that the fantasy of the "creators" of self-styled orders has no limits. More, the maker uses what's available off-the-shelf. E.L.

A fine medal indeed. I need to note, that each infantry regiment had a sappers' unit, this means why Mario Pacchiotti appears as being a soldier in an Infantry rgt.. Al Valore medals awarded for the Lybian campaign are quite sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. E.L.

Hello, what makes you think that the grey tunic with green Egalisierung could be from the republican period? Best wishes, E.L.

Thank you for the kind words! I'm always glad if I can be of any help. All the best, Enzo (E.L.)

I agree, this is a later (although good quality) copy, most probably made by Rothe, Vienna. More, an award piece of the Order of St. Stephen should always be made of gold. As a matter of interest, I hereby post three pieces from my collection: a very early, austrian-made gold réduction; a "Kleinkreuz" in gold from the late 19th Century and a mid 19th Century, gilt silver, privately made "Kleinkreuz". Best wishes, E.L.

The order of St. Maurice and Lazarus is an ancient order belonging to the Savoy dinasty and was one of the highest orders in the Kingdom of Italy. The Order of St. Lazarus is another thing, that for some time had a sort of protectorship by the Vatican. In any case it is considered as one of the various "self-styled orders". E.L.

Hello, I've just seen this discussion on the St. Sava Order for non-Christians. From what I remember, this isn't actually a butchered order, but the group of a "self-styled" order, made with the basis of a St. Sava one. Honestly, I don't remember the exact name of this "honour", but it should have been something like the "Imperial, Byzantine Order of the Crown": I remember an identical set in the shop of Messrs. Cravanzola/Gardino of Rome in 2010, shortly before the sale and closure of their ancient shop in via del Corso. This one could be the same group (but the badge was suspended to a red sash). It is not a mystery that actual orders are often modified to prepare "privately instituted" ones. Later, the various passages and the fantasy of some temporary owner probably do the rest. Enzo (E.L.)

A very fine piece indeed! Enzo (E.L.)

Hello, I don't remember whether in the past I've posted the following pictures already: the piece comes form a group of orders and medals belonged to an unknown, Austrian pilot, shot down on the Italian front in 1918; the pilot survived and, once taken prisoner, he handed his decorations to an officer of the Italian Army. The latter's family, preserved the group (Feldiplotenabzeichen; EKO-IIIKl./KD; MVK-KD/ with reverse dedication of the Luftschifferabteilung; Silb.MVM; Bronz.MVM (with dedication from the Offizierskorps der Luftfahrtruppen), until I've bought from them the whole in 1999. As we can see, the crowns' pendilia are not "touching" the crowns and other details are in coincidence with Tifes's badge.

Curiously, the gentleman whose signature are we investigating about, is wearing both the military and civil Jubiläumsmedaille 1898 "Signum Memoriae"... E.L.

Hello, these is exactly a pair of epaulettes for the dress uniform of an Infantry (or Carabinieri) 2nd Lieutenant. They were in use until the outbreak of WW2; the "Unione Militare" was a series of stores where any officer and NCO could buy all types of articles for his uniform, etc. In this case, the epaulettes were sold in the Naples's store. Sorry to say, they are not rare. It existed a "luxurious" type in silver, easily recognizable for the "800" silver marks struck close to the upper, double button bar. Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)

Hello, Paul sounds very optimistic with his "quasi" regarding the official character of certain "maltese" Chapters. In Italy, we call these rather flourishing orders as "Ordini farlocchi", that is impossible to translate in English, but is a more colourful synonym of "self-styled orders". All the best, Enzo (E.L.)

Thinking at what's happening in the later times, I regret to say that old Austro-Hungarian orders and decorations are quite "appreciated", this meaning even less chances to me to acquire new pieces for my own, humble collection...

Actually, I've never read anything about such exceptional services in the Garter's statutes, but perhaps I've missed a "Nachtrag"...

Hello, my question was just technical, since the discussion with that friend of mine started with the Sardinian. then Italian "large collars" of the Holy Annonciade, talking then about Denmark's "Elephant" and about my own collar in gold of the Austrian Iron Crown (until 1941 thoroughly searched and sometimes collected with some "force" by the 3rd Reich authorities, as legal successors of Austria's government). Naturally, we touched the British Garter too, of which I wasn't sure, thinking about King Humbert's collar, preserved (and hopefully still safely) in Turin. So, let's consider my question as "academic". It's a pity, but in my collection I don't have a collar of the Garter with its Greater George. Enzo (E.L.)

Dear Paul, thank you for the reply: now it's clear! Best, Enzo (E.L.)

Hello, actually -at least in Italy- these diplomas are common to find, since the victory medal was awarded to all the military of any rank that served at the front during the war. It was also awarded posthumously to the heirs of the fallen ones. Best wishes, E.L.

Hello, I'm having an interesting discussion with a friend collector about the British Order of the Garter. A question has arisen about the returning of this Order's insignia. I know that the collar and "Greater George" has to be returned at a Knight's death, being this compulsory. What happens with the Garters awarded to foreign royals and princes? do they remain in their families' hands or also those pieces should be restituted to the British Sovereign? For instance, at the Armeria Reale in Turin, Italy, it's preseved the Garter's collar belonged to king Humbert I... Any help would be most appreciated. Best wishes, E.L.

It's a pity that the Michetschläger wouldn't be downloadable. This book is really a must for any collector. Only, maybe due to the situation when the book was prepared, there are some little "mistakes" in the illustrations; one, putting a very early copy of the Erzherzog Albrecht's Erinnerungsabzeichen; well visible due to the not 90°-crossing marshal's batons and the position of the Archduke's crown. The text is most useful, though. E.L.

For instance, an extremely fine original, was auctioned in Turin, Italy, on the past June, from the Fattovich Collection.