Scott

Next are three more medals that are maker-marked on the front only. The left and center medals are very similar, but the 'Egana' marks are in slightly different locations (left, directly under the tail; center, slightly right of the tail), and the ammount of 'non-wreath area' at the top on each is different. There are other minor detail differences as well. The medal on the right has the 'Egana' mark laid-out almost horizontally under the tail.

An interesting bar. Period or contemporary put-together? Thanks! Scott

I got involved in a thread on this medal over on WAF this week attempting to photo-catalog the different variants of the medal. It was suggested that I present the info here as well. These medals are relatively common and can be found in multiples on nearly every dealer site, auction, and show table; most often they're in mint condition with the original box and tissue. The medal was manufactured by Indrustrias Egana in Spain from 1938 through (by some estimates) the late 1970s. At first glance, they all look the same; however there are subtle differences, mostly centering on the maker marks (or lack of them). My aim was to attemt to figure out which medals might be linked to pre-May 1945 manufacture. To do that I would try to link specific medal variants found on medal bars to manufacture prior to May 1945. Overall, my quest turned out to be an exercise in futility since there are probably more than a dozen variants, and nearly every variant can be found on a given medal bar. Anyway, for what it's worth, I'll present my 'findings' here as I did on WAF, and perhaps some shred of useful information can be gleaned from it. Some of the pictures are a little dark, so you may need to turn up the brightness on your monitor a bit to see the details discussed. If I've used a picture of your medal and you object to it, please let me know, and I will remove it and find a substitute picture. First up are two medals with identical 'Egana' markings in the same spot on the front (look for the red circles/white dots), but they are from two different dies. The one on the left has the distinctive shape at the top on both sides (green circles/white dots) while the one on the right does not. There are other minor die strike differences as well if you study them closely. Neither is maker-marked on the reverse.

Francois - as always, an amazing collection I enjoy looking at over and over again. I noticed your officer's leather belt with the brocade/parade buckle attached. I've never seen that combination before, and I would assume was a custom piece from the period? Are there period photos of LW officers wearing such belt & buckle combinations? Kind regards. Scott

Agreed - super nice cap! Scott

Chris, can you post your "very clear picture of badge in wear"? I've only seen one or two fuzzy period pictures of this rare bird in wear. Thanks! Scott

Joel, I bought it many years ago - pre-internet - and the cost has been 'absorbed' over time. I know now the guy I bought it from is a well known swindler of fake and repro TR items. One of life's many lessons... Scott

And sadly (for me anyway), here's what they shouldn't look like...

*gasp* ... an absolute killer hat there Bob! Scott

Wow Bob, another stunning piece. Thanks for sharing! Scott

Great looking tunic - I really like the quality of the early ones with collar piping and cord-stitched insignia. Thanks for sharing it! Scott

Great set!

Stan, any chance of getting the weight of the badge and dimention of the wreath & eagle? Scott

Thanks for the additional background info Rick! BTW, the current owner plans to keep this bar for a while... Scott

Thank you gentlemen! I'll let the owner know - he'll be pleased. Kind regards. Scott

Thanks Joe!

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A friend of mine picked up this 3-place bar as part of a local estate sale; apparantly this was a US military vet bring-back. I know the first medal is the Prussian War Service Cross, but can anyone assist with the name/origin of the other two? Thanks in advance. Scott

Looks like a nice Assmann in excellent condition. You may want to post it in the Luftwaffe forum for a wider audience. Scott

Nice!

Nice additions guys - love the wings. Scott

I have to second that Francois! Actually every one of the photos in this thread is a beauty Here's one I thought turned out well.

The flash made the metal look highly polished, but it's actually rather dull with a bit of corosion on the pin.

Rick - yes, this is 'entertainment' for me now that I've retired from the military (I had little time for such frivolities while on active duty ). I drove out Friday morning and returned Sat afternoon. I had about $130 in travel expences (gas, hotel, parking, show entry, food, etc.). As this was just one of several items I picked up at the show, I stilll think it was a bargain! Cheers. Scott