Elmar Lang

Hello, Being back home after a period at the sea with my wife and children, here I am reading again the pages of this Forum. I can only confirm what was correctly written by the colleagues. From what I can see in the pictures, the badge is a poor copy, struck with fake silver and maker's mark and aged with a chemically applied patina. The mentioned markings, are more and more often appearing (along with the lozenge-shaped mark of Rothe), on fake orders and badges of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. I think that in the future we'll have interesting material for passionate discussions.

Well, some hungarian colleague could be of more help, but "Feneteőr", means "Bastard"...

A medal with the same reverse with the tughrah of the hereby discussed one, is illustrated in Edhem Eldhem "Pride and Privilege", page 374, fig. 15, where the author describes such pieces as "Unofficial medals and pins commemorating the Young Turk Revolution and the re-establishment of the Constitution, ca. 1908". Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)

Hello, the cross is an original, awarded piece, where the green colour was lost during the years. The suspension ring has been clearly replaced. All the best, Enzo (E.L.)

A magnificent Kanonenkreuz, with an excellent engraving and an illustrious provenance! Thank you for sharing the pictures of a piece from your collection. All the best, Enzo (E.L.)

Hello again, I would like to add some further material to this discussion, posting the image of what is considered the original prototype of the Metallenes Armeekreuz, prepared by the Kammermedailleur J.W. Harnisch in 1813. It is made of a bronze alloy with a high percentage of copper. This same piece, belonged to the von Heyden collection, described in his work "Ehrenzeichen (...) Deutschlands und Oesterreich-Ungarns", Frankfurt, H. Keller (Meiningen, Brückner & Renner), 1897, page 239, n. 1009 and in the sale's catalogue of v. Heyden's collection, lot 860 (Adolf Cahn, Frankfurt, 19. October 1898); the cross became part of the Julius Collection, first catalogued for auction in 1932 by Otto Helbing, but the sale never took place until 1959 when, besides some loss due to the circumstances of war, it was again catalogued and sold by Gaettens, Heidelberg. This prototype became part of the Fattovich collection: the late Professor and great collector, published it in the "Mitteilungen der Oesterreichischen Numismatischen Gesellschaft" in 1969 ("Das Metallene Armeekreuz von 1813"). In 1996, this piece became part of my own collection. The Cross is larger than the usual Kanonenkreuz and the most notable difference is the motto "E CAPTIS TORMENT. BELLICIS MDCCCIII" (From captured enemy cannons 1813).

Any named Kanonenkreuz is a nice finding. The Wimpffen cross was just a piece of luck, happened years ago. My further named crosses are to a "Feuerwerker", and to a "Lieutnant im Pionier-Corps" only. All the best, Enzo

Hello, to remain in theme, I would like to post a typical example of a "named" Metallenes Armeekreuz aka "Kanonenkreuz", this, named to the Feldmarschalleutnant (FML) Max Wimpffen. Best wishes, Enzo

Hello, thank you for the further, highly interesting information about my Judge's badge. I also find most interesting that the "J.H." initials could be referred to a small number of gentlemen that have served at the Mixed Courts in Egypt: giving this badge a wearer's name, would add a significant historical interest. Thank you again and I will follow this interesting thread, Enzo (E.L.)

Здравствуйте, Chechaco1, Спасибо за ваш вклад в это обсуждение, и я прошу прощения за плохое использование русского языка! Думаю, если бы вы могли писать по-английски, это было бы здорово для большинства читателей ... (или пытаюсь использовать "Google TRanslate"). Ваши кресты действительно красивы, хотя кольца утеряны. У кого-нибудь из них выгравировано имя на кайме? (Hello Chechaco1, Thanks for your contribution to this discussion, and I apologize for the poor use of the Russian language! I think if you could write in English that would be great for most readers ... (or trying to use google translate). Your crosses are really beautiful, although the rings are lost. Do any of them have a name engraved on the rim?)

Is this one a badge that will be auctioned?

Hello, I'm more than happy that my little contribution to this discussion could have been of some help. Paul: I'm not a hero; only, I live in Italy and the Orders of Lucca are part of our phaleristical heritage. But the mentioned drinks would be a great opportunity to meet again and discuss about Italy's ancient orders and decorations! All the best, Enzo

Hello, my "pretty confidence" is under the condition that -as said- the bar is originally mounted, because there is no other "Kriegsband"-fitted award before the Knight of the Leopold Orden, than the Große Militärverdienstmedaille. By the way, yes, such a Feldspange could have reached the market and a collector. For instance, I have that medal, that under serendipitous coincidence, ended up in my humble collection of A-H awards...

Hello, I would add some details to this interesting topic, with the pictures of my Judge's badge. It is made of gilt silver; the reverse is struck with the marks of Froment-Meurice and the hand-engraved (better, almost scratched) letters "J. H.", probably of the original owner. This badge was purchased in auction at Künker's, about 10 years ago. All the best, Enzo (E.L.)

Hello, assuming that the Feldspange is originally mounted, I'd be pretty confident that its first place represents the Große Militärverdienstmedaille (either with the portrait of Emperor Franz Joseph or Karl), followed by further breast decorations (among them, a FJO awarded in peacetime). Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)

The marks, although quite blurry, appear as correct maker's and silver marks. the maker's one looks like -as said- "AZ", the "Windhundpunze" and the "A" mark for Vienna. If the marks have been faked, this time the forgerer did a good job...

Hello, this is not related to Russia, but it's the lowest class cross of the Military Order (aka "Military Distinction") of St.George of the Duchy of Lucca so, to be classified amongst the "former Italian States". The crowned, "CL" Monogram is that of the Duke Carlo Lodovico. The correct ribbon is white, with broad, red side stripes. I hope this information would be of some help, best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)

Hello, a detailed, well-taken picture of the marks struck to the reverse, would be most interesting. The pin is not consistent to those mounted on originals, besides not being perfectly vertical as it should be. The naval pilot's badge is a true minefield. Besides being lucky enough to find one of the very few originals, it's better to find one of the very fine copies made by Rothe in the 60s-70s, instead of risking a lot of money for a deep delusion... all the best, Enzo (E.L.)

Hello, the Bronzene Militärverdienstemedaille, in the Franz Joseph and in the Karl type as well, were made of gilt bronze, thus the "BRONZE" mark, struck to the medal's rim. The same if the medal was made of silvered bronze. I don't remember this mark struck on FJ type medals though.

The mark "BRONZE" was struck on gilt or silver-plated medals to indicate them as having been made in non-precious metal, same as similarly-made orders, when struck with the "Sternchenpunze".

Hello, I can say that the first of the two MMTO crosses, is a relatively early copy made by Rothe (see the "pointing down" star to the obverse centre medallion), with a wrong suspension ring; the second one, is a much later copy, made in Croatia between 2000 and 2005 ca. Both have been struck with fake, "Sternchenpunze" for non-precious metal. Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)

Hello, I think, it should be a piece of typical French manufacture, from the first half of 20th Century, although the case looks quite modern. The marks could possibly confirm my opinion. Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)

Here, the pictures of the obverse and reverse, taken by me today. The already provided pictures, were still those from the sale's catalogue:

Hello, I need to warmly thank the colleague UnboxingCuba for the complete, interesting details about the origins of my cuban medal. This is one of the great qualities of this fine collectors' forum. I've posted the question many years ago and it just needed some patience until a solution, interesting to all our community, arrived. Now, this piece has its history and we all know something more about the interesting, complex history of Cuba's honour system. To complete the panorama of the "Gran Amigo de Cuba" award, do pictures of the definitive design exist - or of the two actually awarded pieces? Many thanks again, Enzo (E.L.)

I think that most of us posting replies, tried to put some humour, nothing to feel sorry about! your question was an interesting one, in its true meaning. In my case, I've always preserved my collection in velvet lined drawers so, protected from sunlight fading ribbons and easy to be examined witout opening boxes or frames. Now, sorry to say, due to the difficult times we're all living through, I've decided to keep everything in the bank, after a thorough inventory and photography of all my pieces. As soon as will have the time, I will prepare a photobook of my collection. All the best, E.L.