Elmar Lang

If the medal is not struck with the "A" mark, it's highly possible that it was awarded earlier than 1867. Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)

The medal is original and usually, those with that typical suspension loop, are not struck with the "A" mark. Ribbon and Wiederholungsspange are consistent with the 1917-18 period. As said, the case is not Austrian. Now, we assist at a "case-frenzy"... Ok, a case is a nice "plus" to any award, but sometimes I think us collectors are exaggerating, when attributing a fabulous value to some cardboard, morocco-leather and a piece of velvet. 4 years ago, for a surely rare case (MVK I Klasse with KD "eines niederen Grades"), I've been asked 11.000,- Euro! Making a correct proportion the -let's admit- rare decoration to be put in that case, should have a value not less than 110.000,- Euro! Best wishes, E.L.

Hello, your italian ribbon bar could be (at least the two 4-ribbon ones) a homogeneous group. The person, looks like having been decorated with: - Order of the Crown of Italy, Knight's Cross; - Medal for Civil Valour (most possibly, Bronze); - War Cross for Military Valour; - War Volunteers' Merit Medal; - War Merit Cross; - 1914-18 Victory Medal; - 1915-18 Campaign Medal with 4 bars (two "stars" missing); - Unity of Italy 1848-1918 Commemorative Medal. Separately, an Italian-Turkish war commemorative medal.

Nice pieces and very fine display, I congratulate. An excellent beginning indeed. With the best wishes for your collecting, Enzo (E.L.)

Wrong ribbon, since the Tapferkeitsmedaille has one ribbon only. The ribbon attached to this BTM-FJ is something privately made, not necessarily connected to Ukraine. Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)

Just a question: why cover the recipient's name on the Urkunde? These are details of some interest to the collecting community, that could open new research and exchange of information. By the way, I see that the Major was on duty at the Ministerium für Staatssicherheit (the signature of Erich Mielke indicates that), what makes this award, surely coming from a larger group, as quite interesting. All the best, Enzo (E. L.)

Not a fantasy piece, but a private purchase medal, then privately engraved.

hello, in this discussion, also about the Tamara Order, I've posted my own documented group:

I can say that the medal offered at eMedals, as I can see from the pictures, is a privately-made piece of Russian production. Not having the piece in my hands, I cannot say when it could have been produced so, it is impossible to describe it as a "fake". The original Kexholm guards regiment medal is of the "austrian" type, with its proper suspension loop/ring arrangement as clearly pictured in the relevant post. All the best, E.L.

Chechaco1, you've shown an interesting medal: an enlargement and less blurry picture of the naming, would be most interesting indeed. I need to say that the only "official" medals for valour of Italy's republic should bear a "Z" (symbol of the State Mint), to the obverse, below the coat of arms. But it is also to say that after 1945, a lot of these medals have been awarded to former partisans, so also to Yugoslavs and to some Soviet combatants, involved in the guerrilla actions in Italy. To partisans, between 1946, until the late 50s, have been awarded medals struck by an until now not identified firm, then named to the people indicated by the special commission in charge to the awards for partisan activity. Such awards were not directly sanctioned by the Ministry of Defense, but by the special commission for the partisan activities, although the award documents are those from the Ministry of Defense. The medal shown, awarded to a Soviet citizen, belongs to the first series of medals, as made by a private firm. I have in my collection of italian medals for valour, also one of them, named to a well-known partisan from my region, Mr. Luigi Emer, of which I would like to add some pictures. The reverse, is struck with the "A.800" silver mark, as it's partially visible on the medal awarded to the Soviet individual. As a further detail, I would like to add the pictures of an officially-struck silver medal for valour, posthumously awarded to the partisan Mario Cesura, taken prisoner and shot by a Nazi firing squad amongst others, taken prisoner in Liguria, December 1944. The "(M)" engraved under the recipient's name means "Alla Memoria" (to the Memory), or a posthumous award. This medal, bears the already mentioned "Z" to the obverse and is also struck with the state mint's silver mark "Z-986". This type, identical to those awarded to military personnel by the Ministry of Defense, have been used for award to former partisans, either posthumously or still living, from the early 60s, until today. Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)

Hello, since many years, I have two North Korean award documents; the first in a hardbound folder, the second, in a thin, red cardboard one. Could anyone give me any information, like Order/Decoration, its class, and the awardee's name, if written on them? Many thanks in advance, Enzo (E.L.)

Hello, I apologize for this very late reply. The title of Emperor Franz Joseph within the Imperial Russian Kexholm Guards Regiment, was that of "Oberstinhaber" (or "Colonel Owner" of the regiment), not that of "Oberbefehlshaber", that is the title of a "Commander in Chief" of an Army or of an Army Group. Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)

Well, I would prefer to talk about "tradition", instead of "low craftsmanship". The Iron Cross, was born to signify the soldiers' valour "In Eiserner Zeit" and its simple design had a strong meaning. Just iron in a thin silver frame, same as Great Britain's highest award for valour is a simple cross made of cast bronze... or the earliest, US Medal of Honor: a five-pointed star struck in bronze... or Belgium's and France's "Croix de Guerre", also made of bronze, etc.

Here, the links to the group of pieces belonged to FM v. Mackensen, put for sale at Künker's in October 2019: Eisernes Kreuz, Ausgabe 1914. Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, Original-Exemplar (!), 65,9 (mit Öse) x 61,1 mm, die hohen Zargenteile zwischen ca. 4,0 und 4,7 mm dick, die Öse 5,9 mm breit, sehr fein gearbeiteter, geschwärzter Eisenkern (kuenker.de) Orden pour le mérite. Alte Zweitanfertigung oder Nachfertigung des Ordenskreuzes in sog. "Godet-Ausführung" (mit Ösen-Segment zwischen den beiden Spitzen des oberen Kreuzarms) mit Eichenlaub, Anfertigung eines nicht identifizierten H (kuenker.de) Geschenk-Zigarettenetui Kaiser Wilhelms II. an Generalfeldmarschall von Mackensen. Anfertigung einer nicht identifizierten Firma aus dem Jahre 1916, 94,3 x 58,1 mm, Silber, tlw. feinst guillochiert, vergoldet und emailliert, belegt mit dem gekrö (kuenker.de) Geschenk-Bilderrahmen des österreichischen Kaisers Karl I. an Generalfeldmarschall von Mackensen, Anfertigung der Firma A. E. Köchert in Wien, Randmaße des Rahmens 262 x 184 mm, Rahmen Gold (über 583/000!), mit Monogramm Kaiser Karl I. (kuenker.de) Persönlicher Geschenk-Bilderrahmen Wilhelms II. aus dem Exil. Anfertigung der Firma J. D. Schleissner Söhne in Gründau wohl nach 1918, 292 x 215 mm, 800/000 Silber, ca. 480 g (nur der Rahmen - was einem Feingewicht von ca. 382 g Silber (kuenker.de) Persönlicher Geschenk-Bilderahmen Herzogin Viktoria Luises von Braunschweig. Anfertigung der Firma F. Siebrecht in Braunschweig aus dem Jahre 1929, 290 x 202 mm, 800/000 Silber, auf dem oberen Rand bekröntes Monogramm "VL", Gold, besetzt mi (kuenker.de) Streichholz-Etui. Anfertigung eines nicht identifizierten Herstellers, 60,8 x 53,8 mm, Silber, tlw. guillochiert und emailliert, 54,6 g, min. Emaille-Chips am Rand, im Deckel Widmungsgravur "Z. frdl. Erg. / an / das Streichholz-Exercieren 1913". (kuenker.de) Zigarettenetui. Anfertigung eines nicht identifizierten Herstellers, 65,0 x 94,6 mm, Silber, auf dem Deckel nicht identifizierte blau emaillierte Unterschrift und ein à jour gefasster Rubin in Altschliff, 131,0 g, Ausbrüche in der Emaille (kuenker.de) Osmanisches Reich: Silberring. Silber, Innendurchmesser 22,2 mm, 5,0 g, mit osmanischer Inschrift, die möglicherweise "Djihad der nationalen Verteidigung" bedeutet, mit der Jahreszahl "1331" [AD 1913], im goldfarben bedruckten roten Samtetui. (kuenker.de) Osmanisches Reich: Goldmünze Mehmed V. 100 Kuruş (Piastre) 1327/3 "Besuch im Kosovo". Durchmesser 22,4 mm, 917/000 Gold, 7,2 g, in vorzüglicher Erhaltung (vz), zusammen mit Übersendungsschreiben von Reşad Omer Bey, des ehemaligen B&uum (kuenker.de) Ovales Serviertablett. Anfertigung der Firma M. H. Wilkens & Söhne in Hemerlingen, 353 x 454 mm, 830/000 Silber, 1.022 g (somit ein Feingewicht von ca. 2.128 g), auf dem Rand des Avers das Monogramm "M" mit zwei gekreuzten Marschallstäb (kuenker.de) Herrschaftliche Tafelbesteck-Garnitur, bestehend aus insgesamt 298 Einzelteilen: Bei den folgenden Teilen handelt es sich um ein nicht identifiziertes Modell in Anfertigungen der Firma Gebr. Friedländer in Berlin, zwischen 1910 und 1937, in 800/ (kuenker.de) Ca. 20 Restteile einer Tafelbesteck-Garnitur des Modells "Augsburger Faden". Anfertigung einer nicht identifizierten Firma, in 800/000 Silber, jeweils punziert "800 Mond Krone", bestehend aus: einer Tafelgabel (65 g), sechs Dessertgabeln (je 43 g), z (kuenker.de) 18-teiliges Fischbesteck. Bestehend aus 18 Fischmessern (51 g pro Stück) und 18 Fischgabeln (43 g pro Stück), Anfertigung der Firma W. Ambach in Stettin. Alle Teile zeigen auf der Oberseite der Griffe jeweils einen gravierten gekrönten (kuenker.de) Ovale Vorlegeplatte. Anfertigung der Firma Wilhelm Binder in Schwäbisch Gmünd, 350 x 513 mm, 835/000 Silber, 1040 g (somit ein Feingewicht von ca. 868 g), auf dem Rand des Avers das Monogramm "M" mit zwei gekreuzten Marschallstäben, &u (kuenker.de) ...and more silverware, memorabilia and varia, from the property formerly of FM August v. Mackensen

The piece was consigned to the auction house (Künker) directly from heirs of von Mackensen. It's true too, that a man like v. Mackensen, had more than one set of each of his orders/awards, from the most "Probemäßige" quality, to visibly "private purchase" type ones. I was in the room on the auction's day, though. Interesting auction, like all sales of Künker, dealing with Orders and Decorations.

Hello, as stated in the other place where you've posted the pictures of this Silbernes Verdienstkreuz mit der Krone, I don't see anything alarming with it. It is not a rare award, but yes, there are fakes of it too, ranging from a poor to a disgusting quality. Not the case of this one, that has all the qualities to be a piece made prior to 1918. Best wishes, E.L.

Hello, were these medals struck in Eastern Germany (PräWeMa-Markneukirchen)? Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)

Hello, today in the mailbox at home, arrived my copy of the book; I am extremely happy and it will be the reading for this evening. Beautiful illustrations within the most interesting text too, depicting objects and documents surely unknown to most collectors and enthusiasts. Being printed in 1.000 copies only, I think it will become a bibliographical rarity... All the best wishes to the Author, in the hope that this volume would be the first of a series, devoted to the story of Madagascar's honour system! Enzo (E.L.)

Just noticed this discussion, and immediately purchased the book on ebay. A fascinating field and I am glad that this book will fill a gap in my library; I can't wait to read it! This is my only old piece from Madagascar, by the way... All the best, Enzo (E.L.)

Hello, to contribute to this interesting thread, I would like to post a French-made star of Grand Cross, made by the french jeweler Peck-Olivier; a firm that worked between 1827 and 1837, when the activity was taken over by Justin Marret, who continued under his own name as "Marret, Fabricant d’ordres" the production, until 1844. The overall quality is extremely fine and accurate; the centre medallion is made of gold with chiseled details and the enamel-work is truly beautiful.

Hello, Emedals is a highly reputed dealer so, I am sure that you both shall find a proper agreement to solve the problem with this breast star.

Hello again, my words are not a criticism to anyone, but I would like to remember that before leaving bids on any auctioned piece, even from the most reputed seller, a prospective buyer should carefully check the catalogue description and, if not possible to personally inspect a piece, carefully studying the provided pictures. I think that the images attached to this discussion, are those provided by the auctioneer: well, those were clear enough to say a definite "keep out!". I don't like to be crude or sharp, but the images of the marks first, are a "we're not struck!" warning, as clearly pointed out by Christian and me in the posts above. The centre medallion: no piece made by Mayer's Söhne, ever had such a wrongly and badly made part!... the "VIRIBUS UNITIS" piece, is also very badly finished. Looking the star's reverse, immediately appears how bad the piercings are: even a realtively recent copy of Rothe, usually is excellently carried out in its details, even in the abovementioned star's piercings. Besides the experience a collector could or should have matured in the course of time and the good resources available on the Internet, I would like to remember the very fine recent volumes of Ortner-Ludwigstorff, that besides the invaluable text, are rich of excellent pictures where to see as-they-should-be pieces. They're relatively expensive, but worth any of the Euro spent to purchase them. I repeat: please, let's sit down and think, before bidding on something outside our at least basic knowledge. As a matter of interest, I would like to post some details from a breast star of the Order of Leopold, a copy made by Rothe & Neffe, Vienna, dating from the '60s of the 20th Century: it is exactly the piece published in V. Měřička: "Orden und Ehrenzeichen der Oesterreichisch-Ungarischen Monarchie", Vienna, Schroll, 1974, plate XXV (as a personal note, this piece was given to me by the late Prof. Fattovich as a kind present for my 20th birthday). As we can see, besides the overall accurate manufacture, the piercings to the rays, are most accurately and precisely done... even on -I repeat- a copy. Where a fake, produced only to deceive a collector, fails in every respect: quality, workmanship, finish. All the best, Enzo (E.L.)

Dear Nick, dear all, I apologize for replying this late. Re. the KGB badge, it is made of some light metal like aluminium alloy, same as the MFS coat-of-arms and the badge of the German-Soviet Friendship Society, all mounted on a cloth-covered board, the whole in a rather simple, cardboard presentation case.

Hello, just to add something to this thread again, I would like to share the images of another group belonging to my collection, awarded to the French Lt. Colonel Christian Welter. His Legion of Honour has the crown stuffed with bright red silk cloth, that I am pretty sure it dates back to the time of wear. The Crimean Campaign Medal is unnamed, the 1859 Italian Campaign Medal is without crown and the Sardinian "Al Valore" medal, is nicely named. I have purchased the group in 2012 at an auction in Austria; it comes from an old, now dissolved, US collection.

A nice medal indeed, with its award certificate, is something that makes the piece even more interesting. I'm wondering why the name on the paper was covered, while it is perfectly readable on the medal... Re. unnamed "Al Valore Militare" medals, they cannot be considered as wearer's copies, when they're with the marks of the Royal Mint. It happened in fact, that such medals, could have been awarded as unnamed; not necessarily, but most possibly, they can also be pieces awarded as "Sul Campo" (On the Field), or immediately after an action. Usually, for the "Sul Campo" awards, the soldier was told that he received a proper award, immediately after the action, where his act of valour was noticed and signalled so, he was allowed by his commanding officer (usually the regimental cdr.), to wear the ribbon, proper to the grade of the medal, then, at a ceremony in front of the troops, with some high ranking generals etc. the medal was pinned to the soldier's breast, reading out loud the "motivazione", or the brief account of the act of valour, as written on the award document. The wearer's copies of "Al Valore" medals are almost always of private production, made by otherwise well-known makers, like Johnson, Milan, etc. Re. Ferdinand Kotlik's medal, his award is reported in the "Bollettino Ufficiale": the fac-simile page is published in the "Nastro Azzurro" webpage, searching for the man's family name.