Elmar Lang

I'm also in the number of those waiting for the pleasure of reading this new, comprehensive work! Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Hello, I'm away from home since some weeks, so I can reach the Forum sometimes only. Yesterday, a friend of mine called me to say that he bought a Goldenes Verdienstkreuz mit der Krone with engraved dedication on the reverse. From the few pictures he sent to my mobile phone, I could tell him that the piece can't be original. It has the same enamel colour and relatively unaccurate finish we can see on the lately appeared fake Commander's stars of the Franz Josef Orden. As soon as I'll be back home, I'll be able to personally see the piece and hopefully, take detailed photos. An Austrian friend of mine warns that fake 2nd classes of the Iron Crown (in gold) have appeared already, too. Such copies can't deceive a collector with some experience, but a new one, attracted by the good price and -possibly- buying in the twilight of an early-morning flea market, will have very disappointing surprises once home... Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Yes, the silver medal of the Austrian Red Cross without Kriegsdekoration is a piece quite rare to find!... Elmar Lang

Hello, I see that this interesting discussion about hallmarks returned back to life thanks to the post of Pavel, and this was a very good thing. His book on Serbian and Yugoslavian orders is a magnificent work and what a scientifical work should be. I've bought my copy at the Gunzenhausen "Sammlertreffen" and now it occupies a preminent place in my library. I'm proud that it bears the signature of the author. Of course, the chapter on hallmarks and producers of orders is most precious also to collectors of Imperial Austrian orders & decorations. Best wishes, Enzo (Elmar Lang)

I'm glad for having given a little contribution to "fill" that fine etui... Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Hello, thank you for your comments about San Giorgio's next auction's catalogue: I'm responsible of it, both in the correct and uncorrect descriptions. I also regret that Dr. Bagli's group will be split in single lots, but I've had to follow his heirs' instructions... anyways, any "strong-and-courageous" prospective buyer has the chance to put a bid on the whole group... Best wishes, Enzo

Dear Friends, with this "imperial quartet", I would like to send my warmest wishes for a merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Elmar Lang

Not a stupid question at all! A possible reason is to make the repair of centre medallions easier. Also the Goldene Verdienstkreuze (with or without crown), when made in gold have the obverse medallion with a particular system that allow it to be opened. Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Hello, Captain de Gilardy is wearing what looks like a standard type austrian field tunic, tranformed with a different collar (and ranks on it) and the added shoulder boards. Most probably early Albanian ranks are very similar to austrian ones, but the rank stars instead of being grouped, are in-line. Best wishes, E.L.

The Heyer v. Rosenfeld is a famous work on the subject: still a valid support -besides being a sought after piece- to collecting. I congratulate with our colleague, in the hope that he could find another copy for me! Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Hello Artan, Valter correctly confirms your opinion: it can be an uniform Zog created for himself (yesterday, I was thinking "who's the gentleman pictued in the photo?"). The "Offiziersborte" is of the austrian type (but also used in Romania, for example), the stars are in-line (arrangement not used in Austria) and the cuffs show those ornamental knots that remember those on romanian uniforms. German-style shoulder boards are another non-austrian detail. The aiguillets with suspended acorns is an austrian sharpshooter's badge, possibly arranged as "adjutant's aiguillettes" or just to give a more luxurious touch. I think that the history of Albania is extremely interesting and I hope that you could find as more details as possible! Best wishes, Enzo

Hello Artan, I am sure that the uniform shown in the picture is not austrian. I think it could be Rumanian. Best wishes, Enzo (Elmar Lang)

Hello, a good selection of Albanian Orders & Decorations was offered at the "Red Auction" held by the San Giorgio of Genova (something should be still available). The catalogue is still available at the auction house's webpage and the exact address of the catalogue is: http://www.sangiorgioaste.com/eng-site/auctions/elenco_cat.asp?codice=5#category Best wishes, Elmar Lang

A fine piece indeed, but it's the Turkish medal of the type awarded to the Sardinian troops. Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Hello, I'm doing an historical research about this "Austro-British" medal, awarded to 8 British officers in 1794. Does anyone know where the surviving pieces are located, besides the many times published set belonged to Edward Pocklington? Any help would be most appreciated, Elmar Lang

Hello, I agree that Italian medals can be a mystery (making them a fascinating field of research and collection), but the studies of von Heyden, Ercoli and the definitive work of A. Brambilla (soon, we'll see the 2nd fully revised and enlarged edition), can give much light in the obscurity. It results that the Sardinian Crimea Medal was awarded as a "complement" to those who didn't receive the British issue. It appears both named and unnamed. This means why it's so rare. I've also known that the British Crimea medal was awarded unnamed to foreigners, but in my opinion the piece in my collection (awarded to General Durando) is named in the typical British style of impression: could it be that high ranking commanders were issued with named pieces? Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Hello Veteran, the name impressed on the edge of your medal means: 12° Reggimento Soldato Pellegrin Giovanni Battista (12th Regiment Soldier Pellegrin John Baptist). Pellegrin is a family name quite common in the Venetian region also. I find this thread most interesting! Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Hello, I know of British Crimean Medals awarded to Sardinian officers, NCOs and Other Ranks with official naming. Similarly to its British counterpart, the Sardinian Crimea Medal was also named, but unnamed, awarded pieces do exist. 8o Cuneo: I think that it means "8th Regiment of the Cuneo Brigade" (Cuneo is a city in Piedmont and brigades or divisions took their name from the city where such units were raised). "SOL.o" means "SOLDATO" or SOLDIER "BASSo CANNe" surely is connected to artillery, but I don't have any idea of the proper meaning. In my collection I have the British Crimea Medal awarded to General Giovanni Durando. The naming is "LUOG.TE G.LE GIOVANNI DURANDO", impressed with the typical british naming, meaning "LUOGOTENENTE GENERALE GIOVANNI DURANDO" (Lieutenant General ...). It doesn't have any bar, as appearing in the pictures of him wearing the medal. Best wishes, Elmar Lang

I agree with your point of view. E.L.

Hello, welcome to the Forum and congratulations for your fine Knight's Cross of the Franz Josef Orden. Thank you also for the very good pictures, useful to anybody who would like to appreciate the high standards of Imperial Austrian jewellers. Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Hello, yes, the commander's cross with KD and swords is a Rothe-made copy, although very well made. Usually, even gold original pieces made by Rothe, don't have the hinged reverse medallion. Besides this detail, I can say that in the history of the Franz Josef Orden, the earliest pieces made by Kittner, have a fix reverse medallion. Starting from the Resch-made decorations, we begin to see this interesting characteristic. The Almanach posted by Rick is a fine piece of documentation: more "handy" than the other, huge, book "Der Oesterreichisch Kaiserliche Franz Josef Orden und seine Mitglieder"... Best wishes, Enzo

Hello, interesting site indeed! For the fans of albanian photography, I can say that at the Historical War Museum in Rovereto (Italy), there is an outstandingly interesting photo album filled with original pictures from the 1912-1913 period, made by the commander of the Austrian military mission. Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Hello, it will surely be an interesting exhibition, although I think that these "openings" of foregin sections of famous museums (see the "louvre" in Dubai, for instance) have a commercial, rather than cultural motivation. From what I can see from the posted pictures, I can say that the Maltese Order's cross is not an old piece, but a modern, Italian-made one, dating from the early '60s of 20th Century. I hope that the paintings on exhibition wouldn't be good scans of the originals... Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Hello, the "ANCI" badge, is a lapel membership's pin of the Associazione Nazionale Carristi d'Italia; the association grouping retired and former members of the Armoured Troops. It is after the design of the tank driver's badge. Best wishes, Enzo

Fine pictures and very helpful details! Enzo