Elmar Lang

and, last but not least, the typical Austrian marking for non-precious metal; a "star" or, better an "asterisk", usually called "Sternchen-Punze" or "Stern-Punze", as struck on the full size cross' ring: Best wishes, Enzo

Reverse:

Hello, I think that it could be interesting to describe the most typical Prussian award of WW1, in the version produced in Austria. They were closely similar to the "original" ones, with the difference in the iron centre that was "blued" with the same procedure used for firearms, instead of the typical black lacquer/enamel finish. The manufacturer was the well-known firm Rothe & Neffe of Vienna I provide the pictures of two pieces: a full-size and a "Prinzengr??e", resp. with the Austrian triangular ribbon for combatants and non-combatants. Obverse:

...and reverse: Best wishes, Enzo

Hello, I would like to give some further details to this discussion about the MMThO, posting the pictures of a Commander's Cross from my collection. It's a piece in gold, of the type awarded in 1790-1812 approx.; the ribbon is from WW1; there is also the original case of issue from the same time of the ribbon: a typical re-issue of a decoration of earlier manufacture. Obverse: ...

Thank you very much for the kind words. I'll take a good photo of the badge's reverse as soon as possible. Best wishes, Enzo

Hello, besides my specific collecting interest on the Austro-Hungarian Orders & Decorations, I like the phaleristic of the former Socialist countries. Of course, the honours of the small and rather isolated (in the "Socialist" community) People's Republic of Albania are very interesting to me, for that Country is very close to Italy and some of its past (and present) have something in common. Since the fall of the Socialist r?gime, I've started to build up a collection of Albanian Orders & Medals. I would like to post here one of the first pieces found: a badge for Member of Parliament, clearly inspirated from those of the Soviet Union. Kind regards, Enzo Calabresi (Elmar Lang)

(Cut-and-paste of my reply posted in the German Empire Room): Hello, in my opinion it should be an old piece made for private purchase. The current copies made in Hungary (f.e. from Horvath) seem quite different. There exist pieces made in the time of issue, where the eagle is secured to the wreath by means of bent wire, instead of the typical (official) riveted mount, as it appears on any piece made from Zimbler. In any case, a definitive response cannot be given on pictures only: I think that any piece needs a thorough, direct study. The piece here illustrated looks quite damaged (cut-away wings' tips; chipped enamel etc.). In any case, collectors should be VERY careful with all types of Feldpilotenabzeichen, Luftfahrerabzeichen, etc. I think it should be better to wait and buy a piece of official type and manufacture. Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Hello, in my opinion it should be an old piece made for private purchase. The current copies made in Hungary (f.e. from Horvath) seem quite different. There exist pieces made in the time of issue, where the eagle is secured to the wreath by means of bent wire, instead of the typical (official) riveted mount, as it appears on any piece made from Zimbler. In any case, a definitive response cannot be given on pictures only: I think that any piece needs a thorough, direct study. The piece here illustrated looks quite damaged (cut-away wings' tips; chipped enamel etc.). In any case, collectors should be VERY careful with all types of Feldpilotenabzeichen, Luftfahrerabzeichen, etc. I think it should be better to wait and buy a piece of official type and manufacture. Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Hello, in my opinion, there are differences between a Knight's Cross of the MMThO made during WW1 and one made, let's say in 1930. The original crosses (I mean those made for the Order's Chancellery in the late XIX - early XX Century) were all made of gold and (most of them) hallmarked with maker's mark ("F.R." in a rhombus for C.F. Rothe & Neffe, Wien, official suppliers of the Order) and gold content's mark: both marks struck on the ornamental loop soldered to the upper arm. There is also evidence of original Grand Crosses (also made of gold), not being hallmarked: the difference between an original piece and a post-war one is in the extremely high quality and other well-visible differences, especially to the centre medallion of the sash badge. After WW1 and until the early 80s, Rothe regularly sold reproductions of almost all Imperial Austrian orders (and some decorations, like the Honour Medal for Arts and Sciences, the Golden Jubilee Medal 1898, etc.): all pieces were made from the original dies, but their quality -although very good- was quite far from a piece made before 1918. Now, Rothe-made repros are widely collected (there exist also fakes of Rothe copies...). Now, messrs. Horvath of Budapest sell copies of all classes of the MMThO (the breast star is a cast from a Rothe-copy) of a relatively good quality. Best wishes, Elmar Lang