Paul R

Beautiful bar! Can you please show us the back?

Rick, Thank you for further clarifying the difference between the two types of EK. Well, as we know there were a lot more KVKs awarded than EKs in WW2. It is shocking that there are FAR less NC EKs(for noncombattant contribution) in WW1 than combattants. I wonder why this is the case. Was the NC EK considered to be a higher level of noncombattant contribution (like a KVK1 would be higher level of contribution than KVM or KVK2)? That is one heck of a grouping! The man in the photo must be near 80. If he were 18 in 1866, he would have been 66 years old in 1914!!! Incredible that he was wounded in ww1 and survived!! That medal bar with the Red Cross medal and Long Service award is absolutely stunning. If it ever becomes available... I wonder what branch of the TR Government he worked in! Paul

I have not seen too many mounted in this manner! Nice cross!

This one is from the imperial War Museum: http://collections.iwm.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.988 "On display in our Second World War gallery, this rifle is the subject of frequent enquiries. Many people have expressed surprise or disbelief that a firearm can be made to shoot around corners; yet this is precisely what the curved barrel attachment enables this weapon to do. The attachment was the fruit of experiments, carried out in Germany during the early 1940s, with the object of providing a device which would enable troops to shoot from behind cover, without exposing themselves to enemy fire. Various deflecting troughs and curved barrels were tried with a number of infantry weapons, before the combination which we have on display was arrived at. The relatively short bullet fired by the MP44 made it particularly suitable for this r?le. The attachment deflects the flight of the bullet through 30 degrees and, with the aid of the prismatic sight which is fitted, a reasonable degree of accuracy can be attained. A further version of the device was developed which deflected the bullet through 90 degrees. This was intended for use as a close-defence weapon by armoured vehicle crews; however it was found that bullets fired through it generally fragmented due to the stresses involved. The curved barrel device has proved something of a technological dead-end. By contrast, the rifle itself was of fundamental importance in the development of modern military firearms, being the first "assault rifle" to see widespread use. The assault rifle concept grew from a realization that the ammunition fired by conventional rifles was too powerful for normal combat use. It could kill at over 2000 metres, but First World War experience showed that infantry firefights seldom occurred at ranges in excess of 400 metres. Consequently it was perceived that smaller and less powerful cartridges could be used. Although such thinking was current in several countries, Germany was the first to put it into practical effect. Using a shortened version of the standard rifle cartridge, the German assault rifle was able to deliver controllable fully-automatic fire against close-range targets, while still offering the possibility of accurate aimed fire out to all normal combat ranges. This development revolutionized the infantryman's armament, rendering conventional rifles and submachine-guns obsolescent. The concept was soon taken up by other nations, most notably by the Soviet Union with the famous Kalashnikov Avtomat (AK47). Assault rifles are now standard equipment in armies throughout the world."

Here is a pic of the MP44 that comes from this website(Guns of the world) http://www.gunsworld.com/mgp/mp44.html

Thanks for your respected analysis! I will have to wait to post the pic when the items arrive(part of the lot the tabs and boards came in). From what you see of the front, does the FJ look ok? How long does it take for items to arrive from the UK? They were posted yesterday. I dont know how she sent them(priority, air, or frieght). Paul

more trade badges

cheveron

trade badge

breast eagle

Although I do not have any items that I would think would place me as a target, I am still looking at changing my "name" and information. It is a real shame. I use my original data because I want to be open with my friends here on the web. Recently, I had more than one person from my past find me as a result of my posts here. I never really thought about the full risk associated by placing detailed information until reading this thread... Scary Regards Paul

Thank you Rick for outlining this gentleman's military service. To clarify things a bit... 1. I thought that the EK was awarded for valor on the field... Black and White for combattants(infantry, artillery, ant etc) and White and Black for noncombattants (medics, supply, and etc)... in the field 2. War Effort Cross for contribution to the war effort(simular criteria to the WW2 War Merit Cross). 3. The Red cross medal was awarded for perhaps pre/post war volunteer service in the Red Cross. I do have a question... Something I do not understand is that you state that the Noncombattant Iron Cross was awarded for contribution to the war effort off of the battle field. If that is the case, isn't the War Effort Cross being awarded for the same criteria kinda redundant? Please assist me in understanding this. I am learning a lot here! Paul

Joe, I stared at the maker mark for about 10 mins. My guess is that it is either a 2 or a 7... Right when it would come into focus, my sight would blurr... I really need to procure a magnifying glass! Don, I bought this from Stogieman! I have always wanted a NC bar! Thank you all for your compliments. I know that I have seen others out there. Please post them here! Regards Paul

Here is the highest magnification I could get on the ring(400%). It is still not legible.

back... I will try to zoom in on the maker mark on the EK. I cannot make it out with my naked eye(and I see 20/17!!! )

I want to share with you my first mostly Imperial medal bar, fresh in. I am guessing that this bar belonged to a combat medic, NCO. I do have one question(as always), what was the criteria for award of the Red Cross medal? For me being a medic myself, medical/noncombattant medals and uniforms are most desireable. I feel a certain kinship to these people who were often in the line of fire, not to kill or take an objective but to aid those who have fallen often times on both sides of the fight. Regards Paul

Beautiful Badge, Chris!! Was he in the NSFK for the duration or did he end up in any other organizations as the war progressed?(Luftwaffe?) You have a lot of nice family relics!! Paul

Thank you for the enhancement Pete. I do see what you mean. Absence of discoloration around the embroidery... I was hoping that it was some some of photographic disortion from the flash or shadowing. I cannot wait to get these in hand to do a better exam. Paul

On the Flak Board, what does the "F 32" represent? Paul

Very nice!! Thank you for posting the comparison! The added gull gives it a bit of personality! I love it!

Good Point, Fran?ois. I will start looking through my books. I wish I could find a complete set of Angolia books! Regards Paul

David, Thank you for your input. I will post better pics when they come in. I know that the pics are not the clearest and I do see your point. I will do more research and more than likely return these to the seller. These tabs are part of a considerable lot that I have posted in this area of the forum. Thankfully, the arrangement is that I dont send my trade item until I have received and inspected the tabs. I do hope that they are real as I would be making out big time in the agreement. Your input is very important to me. Thank you all. Warm regards Paul

Badge

two

The following insignia is included in the deal with the LW tabs and boards I have posted. I have never delt with these items before, yet they seem good when compared to the items for sale on some of the big vendor sites. I do have my doubts about the Fallschirmjager cloth badge and the Breast Eagle... Thank you for looking Paul