Jaybo

Thanks Jim. The poster I have involving Major Huffer seems to indicate that he received a US Victory Medal with the Defensive Sector clasp alone. But it is not definitive. Since he fought with the French previously, would he be entitled to a French Victory Medal as well? Thanks.

Jay

Gentlemen

Were there any hard and fast rules about what bars Airmen received? I'm trying to figure out what bars Major John Huffer would be entitled to on the US Victory Medal.He was the CO of the 94th and later 93rd Pursuiy Squadrons. Also, since he initially flew with the French (Lafayette Flying Corps), would he have recieved the French Victory Medal as well? Thanks!

Gentlemen,

Could Veteran or someone please else give me a crash course in the different 'types' of the Medaille Militaire and when (what years) the various types would have been issued in? I'm particularily interested in the types issued during the Great War. Would officers receive better quality specimens than other ranks? Also, is there a work in either French or English that is a useful reference work? Thanks.

All the best,

Jay

Hello Kevin,

Actually, Major Huffer was American (French mother I believe).

Gentlemen,

Concerning researching particular individuals, how does one find out when ( what year) a particular recepient received a CdG? I need to find out in what year Major John Huffer, CO of the 94th and later 93rd Pursuit Squadrons, received his. I know that he had it prior to transfering into the US forces. He started with the French in 1916 so it had to be a 1914-16 0r 1914-17 CdG if I'm not mistaken.

All the best and thanks!

Excellent and rare as well......

Gentlemen,

Were there any hard and fast rules concerning medal bars for pilots in ther various pursuit groups? I'm interested in what bar(s) that Major John Huffer, CO of the 94th and later 93rd Pursuit Groups would be entitled to wear? Thanks.

Merci beaucoup Guy.

Bon Pacques Guy,

I thought that Napoleon's captured Berline was destroyed in a fire at Madame Tussard's London Wax Museum in the 1920's?

Jay

I meant question!

That is a very good qustion.

Thanks for your input Don. Unfortunately, that is beyond my level of computer savy!

Jay

OK Gentlemen, since there have been no replies so far, I'll kick this topic off.

First, all you 1813 EK experten take a look at these recent e-bay listings and post your opinions as to authenticty:

-330 677 248 801

-260 939 530 954

-300 644 621 346

-140 664 435 555

Second, please share your storeies relative to obtaining authentic 1813 EKs.........

Cheers,

Jay

Gentlemen,

Since there is an abundant amount of 1813 fakes on the market, may I suggest that we start a permanent thread just on 1813 authentic EK's. What say you mes amis? I would love to see postings of the real deal as well as how you obtained them. Perhaps we can learn how to decern the valid from the fake EWK's.

My kind of army.....a votre sante!

Russian Imperial stuff is a very tricky area right now (and has been for at least 10 years or so). There a few real experten in this group so you should pay attention to their imput. It 'looks' authentic to me from the pictures but I suspect that there is alot of faking going on in this genre now. The Russians have been re-discovering their Imperial roots and are flush with cash. The prices for Russian Imperial stuff have sky-rocketed in the last 10-15 years or so.

As to whether the prise is reasonable or not, if its real and you want it, only you can answer that question. By the way, Dmiitri Markov has 3 St. Vlads 4th Class in gold for auction in New York on January 5. The opening reserve bids are $7,000 for one with its box, $6,000 for the other two. My suspicion is that they will go for much more than that. Best of luck.

WOW!!! That is a superbe group. I would love to hear more about the story behind the purchase. I also never realized that the Duma had the authority to issue the Order of Saint George. Superbe group.

Jay

Hello Chip,

Thanks very much for the reply. Could you take a look at e-bay item # 130543306730 and tell me whether that is an accurate repro for this regiment? Given the scarcity of original Leib Regt. items, I'm forced to go the repro route for my group. Any further images of the original would be appreciated as well.

All the best,

Jay

Gentlemen,

Can anyone post color photos of what the Bavarian Leib Regiment collar lace would have looked like in the second half of the Great War? I'm trying to get some repro stock to go with a sterbebild & medal group that I own. I have seen Leib Regiment uniforms recently on a trip to the museums in Rastadt and Ingolstadt and they appear to be entirely white. All help is grealy appreciated.

Jay

Thanks gentlemen very much for your responses.

Gentlemen,

Does anyone know why Franz Joseph was awarded the Order of Saint George 4th Class. He is seen both in paintings and photos wearing it. Was it for not joining forces against Russia in the Crimean War? I realize that it was awarded only for military valor but he was the Emperor of Austria so maybe an exception was made.....? Thanks.

Gentlemen,

In a least two portraits of Franz Joseph (one earlier life painting, one later-life photo), he is seen wearing what clearly is an Order of Saint George, 4th Class Knight's badge (Imperial Russia). Does anyone know when he received it, why it was bestowed and how it was granted? Thanks.

I have had fine luck with FJP Auctions over the years. They have been reliable and reasonable generally speaking. Liverpool Medals are pricey but often can provide that must-have piece. Good luck! The Imperial Austrian stuff is truly underappreciated. I recently returned from Europe and Vienna in particular. I picked up a Knight's Cross of the Order of Maria Theresa in gilded bronze for 250 euros from an apparently reputable dealer. It was sold as a RESTRIKE from the original dies. It is beautiful and is a nice filler for my collection.

Gentlemen,

I too have been intrigued by the Verdun medals. Personally, I have examples of the first six models (missing the Steiner, Rasumny and DuTemps versions). I highlt recommend getting the excellent softcover publication "La Medaille de Verdun" by Thierry SILVERT (in French). It is superbe and very thorough. Happy collecting mes amis!

Jay

P.S.-I vote for keeping the site name as is.

To all:

Another shot of Sergeant Aleksey Strakhov (post # 2 above): Looks a little like Errol Flynn!