VtwinVince

That's a good question, I don't think records were kept on that one.

The final price wasn't out of line when you consider the condition and the maker.

I was watching it closely as well, but the final price was 'all the money' for me. An unusual bar and perfectly original.

Did you wind up buying that one?

A real minefield. Blass faked a lot of these obscure life saving medals way back. I got stuck with one from Weimar, you can see it on the right here. You need to get exact weights and measurements, and very detailed scans in order to make any kind of judgement.

Interesting. This is not a firearms forum, so not sure if anyone can add anything tangible.

I think that explains it.

You're right, neither are textbook examples. The Erinnerungsabzeichen looks like an unmarked Juncker piece, but the reverse hardware is a little unusual. The attachment of the pin block in the crown well is unusual, normally these are soldered directly onto the reverse, whereas this one has a slight back plate. Also, the pin and catch seem to be made of a base metal. The pilot badge could be an interwar item, although I've never seen one like that either, but there were numerous variants that made the rounds.

Nice stuff, I particularly like the Berthold and the WE Kriegskreuz. I also have one, with minor enamel damage to the back. Could you show us the reverses of the aviation badges?

I saw that one, looks like a good one. This guy must have switched armies at some point?

Echt Spitze!

True, but as they say, 'klein aber fein'.

Both nice pieces, any markings on the RAO?

Congrats, enamel looks pretty nice on that one.

That's what I'm wondering as well Lorin, looks like the gilding is pretty well preserved.

Hmmm, that ribbon on the last medal does look suspect. Better photos of this bar would be helpful.

Great idea for a thread. This is all I have in the 'Nassau department'.

Thanks, and I agree with you. These grifters are ruining our hobby.

There's an outside chance that one is researchable.

That is a very interesting medal bar. For a pioneer junior officer to be decorated so highly, he must have been quite the guy. The unofficial award on the end is particularly unusual, as is the award of the Lippe Merit Medal with Swords. A great bar.

I believe Wilhelm II got the Garter, but of course he was 'in the family'.

D'oh, I didn't even see this one. Fantastic.

Please specify what is garbage and who is a crook.

Anyone know if that banged up PLM is from the O'Connor Jacobs grouping or just a random one?

Yup, that's the grouping I mentioned.