P.F.

Agree. There is only one Sovereign Military Order of Malta, and this is not it, nor connected to it.

It is the cross on chain he is wearing around his neck.

Erich Schlegel was not a Roman Catholic. If you are referring to the pectoral cross he is wearing- these were not just worn by Catholic Bishops.

Most impressive Nicolas. I like it. Kind regards, Pierce

Claudio, I will not try to convince you but some evidence that may help- this bar seems to show the Imperial medals important to the Duke. A similar combination is seen in the photo you posted, including the Luftschutz Decoration and the British Jubilee Medal. This British medal would be quite uncommon, if not "rare" on a German bar and certainly one made during the 1940s. A link perhaps to the Duke's lost English titles. Your bar certainly shows all awards that he possessed. The only one I personally was not aware of was the Japanese Red Cross, but it certainly makes sense for him to have this given he was head of the German Red Cross. Best wishes. Pierce Just to add that the 1897 Clasp on the British Queen Victorian Jubilee Medal signifies that he also held the Golden Jubilee Medal (1887). The clasp was given in lieu of a second medal. This too might narrow the field. Best, Pierce

A fantastic ribbon bar. If I was to hazard a guess I would say one of the bars of Herzog Carl Eduard von Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha

Here is his 1914 RL entry.

Hi Nicolas, It is possible he didn't put it on the bar, but why leave one decoration off. Also, it is hard to know what the Oldenburg ribbon represents. The bar appears to be mounted in Prussian fashion so other States' etc., awards would come after. Just something to consider. Kind regards, Pierce

Hi Nicolas, Did you not already ID this one using the 1913 RL? Kind regards, Pierce

Here is Hermann Goring in 1933 wearing the Grand Cross of the Ernestine House Order at the neck, below his Pour le Mérite. It could just have been his personal choice on the night, but another example, nonetheless. Kind regards, Pierce Also, like Friedrich August, Goring is wearing more than one Grand Cross. He is also wearing the Italian Order of SS. Maurice and Lazarus with the Grand Cross hanging on the sash, as permitted.

Thanks Saschaw. P.

Is that the OFA1 he is wearing here with the EK1? It's hard to tell.

Saschaw, Thanks for the reply. I honestly cannot remember what the query was in relation to but are there any Prussian OR Hohenzollern Jubilee medals with these years? Kind regards, Pierce

Franz von Papen was also a holder of the Vatican Order of Pope Pius IX.

Saschaw, Thank you for this wealth of additional information! I still have this piece (that began the thread). Kind regards, Pierce

Many thanks for your replies.

Additionally, here is Scheer's entry in the 1918 Naval Rank List. Kind regards, Pierce

A 5-place bar.

1. Prussian Crown Order 4th Class with Swords 5. Prussian Long Service Decoration 6. China Medal 8. Anhalt Albrecht the Bear 1st Class

Many thanks.

Good work. Certainly rare to see Germans with Chinese Orders! What is the full/correct name for this award? Thank you

Possibly the China Republican Order of the Striped Tiger.

I have had this medal bar a few years. Unfortunately, the Zahringer Lion Order is missing. The combination is perhaps uncommon? The hook/clip on the reverse is interesting. Would it have been to keep the medal bar sitting straight on the tunic? Kind regards, Pierce

I would be grateful for opinions on this piece. It is non-magnetic. Thank you, Pierce

This had crossed my mind too. It might account for the reason why we cannot find him.