joe campbell

too late, bob!

you've already been infected.

thanks for your comments. i'm

hoping that someday i will have a clear

answer. in the meantime, it's easy to

look at.

joe

even with not being a sidearms afficianado,

this one is a beauty!

what a good addition to your arsenal!

thanks for the pix and information.

joe

one doesn't know whether to crawl into a hole

for lack of opening one's eyes or to say

thank you....

yes, 'tis the nicest i've seen,

but aren't there some mint/unissued pieces out there???

joe

WOW.....

sometimes humanity rests where it is seemingly least likely to be found.

thanks, chris.

joe

a very fine example, douglas!

i am waiting to see a really cherry example of

the painted version. essentially all the ones i've

seen are in rather poor repair.

thanks for the fine pictures everyone!

joe

claudio!

as we say here in the states...

"you da' MAN!!!"

very informative.

with my thanks,

joe

one could hardly ask for better examples, claudio!

is my assumption that the waldeck award is relatively rare

a correct one?

my thanks.

joe

beautiful bars, all!

claudio, would you be so kind as to

list the decorations on your bars? it

is a beauty, but i am not familiar with

some of them.

thanks!

joe

august 1917.

and that's all i got to say 'bout that!

joe

how can you not enjoy the multitude of

variations found? it is the epitome of large

scale capitalism coupled with workmanship,

pride, and skill in execution!

nice crosses, micha!

joe

tony-

it's nestled into its current home

with the rest of the gang!

my compliments.

joe

the immortal words of one of our ex-presidents....

"i feel your pain...".

i guess there is some small solace knowing that

this warm pitting feeling in the center of one's gut,

followed by the moderately annoying flushed feeling

in the back of the neck is not as uncommon as one

would hope.

immortal words #2:

"teach your children well."

joe

and to see the circle in different positions

on the cross!

any other opinions on the age of the posted

cross?

is there any resource that discusses the "dating"

(no rick... not THAT kind of dating....) of the '57ers?

thanks!

joe

darrell-

while this has better finish than mine, the

catch and the hinge remind me more of

more contemporary pieces i've seen. i am NO

expert on these, but i am going to fall in the

"not so early" camp.

joe

this "one-off" has been seen by at least 8 or 9

imperial collectors and dealers who agree that

this is the way it was made.

i got my fingers rapped by my mentor for

positing several thoughts, but i have wondered

whether it might be an award to a female?

a non-combatant of some high rank or high

political station.

who knows?

herr nimmergut apparently showed jpegs of

it to a number of his acquaintances and all basically

said "i don't know....".

it may remain an unanswered question,

but it sho' nuff is a beauty!!

joe

yup!

that is white enamel...

and herr nimmergut has

seen it.

more on that later.

so what do you think?

joe

hinge, pin, clasp assembly.

BTW, i am certain and comfortable that this is

period enamel and original condition.

a penny for your thoughts.

joe

reverse.

gordon et al -

here's a bit of a brain teaser for you.

thses pictures do it no real justice, and

it comes in a case with the upper inside lid

inscribed

Bruder Schneider

K.u.k Hof-u. Armeelieferanten

WIEN, V.

Siebenbrunneng, 18.

same manufacturer marking for case and award.

i have some thoughts: i'd love to hear yours.

thanks,

joe

gordon-

this is why i LOVE Imperial pieces.

what imagination! what execution!

and this is why you need to add an

Imperial volume to your growing

number of publishing efforts!

great picture.

joe

someone who could afford this private purchase - and

quite beautiful - piece, also had his uniform tailored.

as with other posted crosses, there would be holes

tailored into the chest of the tunic for these.

magnificent piece, micha (no "s" this time.)

joe

claudio-

both bars are MAGNIFICENT!!!!

to have either one is an asset to any collection.

i also appreciate your addition of the OEK #'s,

a very helpful bit of information for those of us

who are learning!

joe

tony j.

be careful.

be VERY,VERY careful.

mr. bill could potentially organize you within

an inch of your life....

seriously, i wish i could be there to swap stories....

one of the nicest people i know!

joe

this really IS a "new mousetrap". judging by

the number of "gee, i never thought about that before"

responses - including mine - i'd say we've got something

new and different here.

great condition!

crisp clear MM.

that's a winner!

nice one mischa!

joe

i like the case every bit as much as the cuff links!

and can you imagine that sword with an olive

on the end, lazing around in your martini...

beautiful pieces, sal!

joe