Daniel Murphy

I assume you are speaking of silver medals. That would be oxidation and possibly sulpher in the air. Depending on where you live and what might contaminants might be in your air, the effect can vary. If you were to able to seal them in a small airtight container this would likely not happen. Just be sure to place some moisture absorbtion device (like a packet of silica gel) with them. I don't know if it is possible to have them professionally clear coated to protect them, or even if you would want to, but this would prevent the need to polish them and thereby prevent wear to the medals over time. I know that many current U.S. medals can come with a "perma-shine" type of finish. Dan Murphy

I don't like it. You have three different Austrian decorations which should be at the far end, but they are mixed up in 4th, 6th and 11th positions. And what is that? A '57 service cross or just a denazified one (in the wrong place as well).Then you have a combattant EK2 and honor cross but also have a war aid cross and ludwigs cross which techically are NC awards. I know we have seen original bars with NC and combattant awards, but with everything else being so discombobulated, I don't think this is one of them. Dan Murphy

Daniel, Great job on finding him. If I had glanced at that photo, I do not believe I would have made the connection. Good eye! Dan Murphy

Matt, The first bar has mostly WW1 to 1930's awards. Yet planted right in the center is a fake Luisen Order (for a woman)from 1813-1814. The rest are all in the wrong order. For a real bar the order should be EK2, Militar Verdienst Kreuz, Hamburg Hanseatic cross (and /or) Friedrich August medal, Honor Cross, TR red cross medal, then the unofficial Balkan cross and Silesian eagle. The whole bar is crap with some original medals, the Luisen Order if real would command a high four figure price. Bar # 2 has TWO Wuerttemburg silver bravery medals. nuff said. The ribbon bar has a 1914 AND a 1939 EK2 (not possible) and a 1957? tank destruction? More junk. Dan MUrphy

Stogie, Stupidity on ebay is an everyday occurance, but these "wonderful" bars have brought it to the heights of being an art form. Thanks for the laugh. Dan Murphy

The unmarked Godet does appear to be flat. I have one virtually identical to it that is also flat. The second one is very odd but in a nice way. I like it. The reinforcing on the corners also is unique. It looks rounded so that the corners would not damage the uniform cloth. Dan Murphy

That looks like bubbled plating to me. Was the medal a early plated one or a duplicate that may have been plated. I have never seen plain zinc do that either. Whatever you do, don't pop them! It might be contagious Dan Murphy

Ralph, Very nice group. I believe these to be underappreciated and under valued by many, but they are catching up. A shame they were not named like some of the other states medals. Dan Murphy

Very nice pieces all! I love to see those old long ribbons. Great find. Dan Murphy

He certainly looks the part. Had you not identified him, I would have believed he was a real Leib Hussar officer. He definitely had one great costume and props department. Hollywood could surely take a few lessons from them. Dan Murphy

To continue: "Guide boats led us by the mines and near evening left our company. Now we were generally inside and had the last hatch open. At the other one we go tomorrow. Due to being in Danish waters we cannot be seen. We must have these trips out of the way, since other ways are blocked by mines. Now lay we down and tried to get through our regular day. This could not rob our humor from us though. Your husband had been assigned to our area and this is how we got to know him. He was a easy going comrade, who quickly won himself the hearts of his comrades. He piloted as a second attendant, I also believe that he would have shortly become an attendant (Deckoffizier); because if he were needed he would move up in the ranks. His service with us was now mainly that that he sat and plotted course. This calls for nerves, which only those who have experienced it can appreciate. Because of the swells and the rattling of the engines it is more arduous to concentrate. He completed his work and would only then come and rest. Deckoffizier Harder was not sure of him at first but they soon developed a good friendship. I can judge concerning this, because I had been aboard longer with Harder who had been on U 104 since May 1917. The Commandant was a very ruddy man who was thoughtful and rarely said a angry word. In this regard everything was in best harmony. Later in the night then we spotted a vessel in the prohibited area. After we tracked it and we hailed it at noon; It emerged and was found to be a Norwegian fishing vessel, which had traveled too far. According to the law they had stopped for us, we went to them peacefully however and traded liquor and cigars for fresh fish. When they departed I had one of us go and sign which course they would take. One of the fishermen climbed to the highest point of the masts and signed back. . The other one met was a destroyer that was hunting for us. It had been lured by our artillery fire. We passed through the lucky route between Scotland and the Scottish Islands (Fair Island) and came into the Atlantic. The next meeting seemed to hold luck for us. We sighted a large convoy, set forward now and turned straight into the attack, when one of the destroyers noticed us. We then dove underwater We had to let the whole convoy go on now. When we came up again, they had disappeared, but we made efforts to catch up. Thus when it got dark we broke off pursuit and steered to near the north exit of the Irish Sea. On the way we saw another small steamer with sailors in it. One already saw the coast of Ireland in the distance. The clearing weather gave the opportunity for those off duty to pump their lungs full of the fresh air. Everyone lay out on the deck and sunned themselves. This peace was ruined for us however by the Englishman; a U boat tried to teach us a lesson with a few torpedoes but by the watchfulness of the lookout we were able to evade them. The next the two missed by even further since we now knew where the danger threatened. Thus they had fired 4 torpedoes and for all of this they missed their goal. Into the night we were now inside the Irish Sea, the so-called was witches cauldron. I only loosely know where we went in this area. Everyone attacked and we came in for an appropriate number of bombs. Nevertheless on April 23, 1918 we were so far that we could prepare for the home trip. We drove now to the south exit of the lake (sic), around which on Saturday and Sunday came ships traffic, some kinds which came from America. On 24,4 another steamer fell into our hands which was loaded with southern fruits. It was sunk. 80 crates of the most beautiful apples went with us on board, so that one could hardly move for the bright apples. Everything conceivable was in the best tendency; because the soon the homeland, which we loved, we could soon see again and celebrate, and we also still had another nice capture as well. But the day, which began so beautifully, what sad end it had! The night was dark and gusty. At 12 o'clock your husband and I were relieved from watch and along with the rest of that watch and came down and went to sleep. Before we closed our eyes we put a song on. Everything was as calm as could be and suddenly the alarm bell sounds. Before we can rise, a loud crack causes the boat to shudder and starts going down at the rear. Now we run from the NCO area to just after the nose area in order to put the boat down forward by our weight. The light was already out, but there was only approximately 16 men where we were, among them your husband. The boat went up to 80m deep and the water was spurting and the lack of air robbed our ability to speak or hear and was taking our consciousness. When no other options remained for us, I tried now, with the existing compressed air to bring the boat to the surface ; when we came up, the comrades succeeded in opening the hatch . Those under the hatch when they opened it got themselves soaked, while I stood a little more deeply inside the boat. The air pressure stalled them however and then they raised the hatch. I now threw my comrades waterproof coat to the floor and since it no longer protected me I got the full jet of water. I went to get out now and luckily arrived on deck after three others had gotten out. . Granted, their will was unforgettable while we made the last attempt to get out. We struggled with the elements, but believe me, none had the fear of death save one! All had calm decided faces, none complained and did not argue with their fate. If I could only show you! I will always remember these images. These bare faces with determined looks, as they look at me. No sound can be heard over that of the rushing air; The hair hanging in wild locks over those white foreheads, but there sits young blood of 18-19 in a corner he asks, without a clue: Whether it is now time for us to die? I think I was lucky for we did not know, that it would roll over and go in. Mrs. Koennecke, I know I would probably not rate high as a salesman. I do not know whether have not done quite so well. If not, then I ask for pardon. I write however from what I saw, I know you still have hope for the return of your husband. For that purpose I believe I am perfectly useless; late at night I can still see the trace of the ship and a comrade, I accept, was probably only one which looked for places still a distance off. Now I want to close. I know this has been hard for you to accept, but you must resign yourself to this fact because it is true. It is a requirement now for you still live. I also do not believe in reflecting on the dead, you do not belong always thinking about it. When he left all that was dear at home and went of to the war he wanted to live, now you must decide now that it is time to live. You must use your head, living in this world is not egotistical! That is now only way. If she lives and if you greet the dear old mother of our dear one, mention to her that we were comrades who were too soon separated. Your devoted, signed Karl Eschenberg I have to say this is one of the most moving and thought provoking letters (and group)I have ever seen. I have to say I am honored to have been able to get this group and bring this story to life with a lot of help from Rick. Dan Murphy

Paul, Nice piece. It is a shame that the CYQs were never dated, but I would say the bottom half may be a late 1945 phosphate finished piece. Is the frame magnetic? If it really is alloy, I would say you have a rare bird there. Dan Murphy

Beautiful pieces gentlemen. Sorry Dan, but I have always thought the early nambus with the small trigger guard looked just a little classier. Especially the papa nambus. I remember finding one of the Nambu? revolver rigs a few years ago. It had everything, correct holster with shoulderstrap, cleaning rod and even the capture papers. No ammo though. Funny how you never see any in the holsters, I guess the GIs shot it all up. I bought it because my best friend collected Japanese (among other things) and sold it to him for what I had into it. He got all my Jap stuff years ago including a large ammunition? chest with a canvas covered lid that an officer had converted into a foot locker. Thanks for the memories. Dan Murphy

Looks very nice to me, but I am not a real died in the wool dagger guy. I assume only the signature is ground. I once had an SS ground Rohm which had the entire inscription ground, but you could still see a little of it. Wish I had never gotten rid of that one. Dan Murphy

I love that movie. "What rule did we shoot them under? Well we didn't carry rule books now did we. We were out on the velt (?) fighting the Boer the way he fought us! We caught them and we shot them under rule .303!" Chris, Great photos, keep them coming if you have more. Dan Murphy

I think you are worrying about something that is perfectly normal. Not desirable , but normal on a helmet with that degree of finish. Where there is paint missing rust can form which can spiderweb its way under the paint and form bubbles and bumps like you show. Under magnification these look worse than they are. I think if a helmet "artist" got a hold of this it would be showing a lot more paint than it has. "Lets see, How can I make the most money off this. I know, I will make it look like it only has half the original paint" If a faker was tring to maximise profit, it would have a lot more paint and would probably be a camo. As you stated: You think they would say that if it had fake paint on it? In the end, YOU have to be happy with it. If you are not happy send it back, get your money, walk away and wait a few years for that excellent condition one with the liner. Maybe you can afford it or maybe not. But I will tell you one thing. Back in about 1990 I had the opportunity to buy a relic M 18 cutout shell from GWM for $350. This was when Rick was selling out of his house. It was solid but pitted, repainted and was missing a small piece of the folded over rim and had been recovered near the Piave River in Italy at some point. I held it in my hands and thought "I like it but the condition is too rough". To this day I wish I had bought it and I still do not have one in my collection. Every time I see one for sale, which isn't often, I remember the one that got away. Now I have so many bills that I can't afford the big ticket items like that anymore. Maybe someday..... Dan Murphy

Eduardo, You have the best collection of naval feldgrau I have ever seen. While I have seen the odd enlisted tunic here and there, it is nothing to compare to what you have there. I agree with the others, That old style officers "crusher" is to die for. And that Admirals uniform is fantastic. Unfortunately I do not have any, as I no longer collect TR. I would love to see you post some more though. Dan Murphy

I just found this link to a US Navy instruction manual on "Antisubmarine Tactics" from Oct 1918. I wonder where they got some of this. Especially that which mentions U 104. Not hard to figure, there was only 1 survivor. So the information that he and other prisoners gave them helped sink other U Boats. http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/onipubno42.htm Dan Murphy

The Knights Cross in WW2 and the PLM in WW1 could BOTH be awarded for the successful planning and organization of operations during wartime. This is why they cannot be compared to the US Medal of Honour or the UK Victoria Cross which are for bravery above and beyond the call of duty. General staff officers that never fired a shot on the battlefield, but were very good at planning, could be and were awarded either the RK or the PLM depending on the war. It was felt that their contribution to the success of a battle was just as worthy as an officer that commanded the troops in the field. You must admit that given all other factors are the same, poor planning can lose a battle or excellent planning can win it. This has been proven countless times in a number of wars. I see no reason why you should not respect them all. They both did their jobs to the best of their ability. Without excellent staff officers, the best officers at the front would be unable to perform their jobs. True an officer at the front risks his life, while a staff officer would only be risking his career if he were a failure, but he also understands that the the fates of thousands of men are on his shoulders. In many ways he has more responsibility than an officer at the front. Do you think GFM Model ever fired a gun in anger during WW2? Maybe at a boar. Even a divisional commander at "the front" with his division would usually be miles behind the lines at his HQ most of the time. Dan Murphy

Another magnificent IDENTIFIED Bar whose history is now lost. Truly this is a crime of the 1st magnitude. The entire lifes work of this man is now gone. Dan Murphy

That is a magnificent bar. It is truly a shame that it was separated from it's documentation. I can only hope it will one day find it's way back to the bar. Dan Murphy

Amazing. Apparently the makers intention was to be able to upgrade a Expert Infantry Badge to a CIB. I have never seen one before, but if I do see one I will jump on it. Dan Murphy

It would appear that it sat level and upside down for a long time. Perhaps in a leaky barn where water accumulated in it or being used as a planter in a vets home. Yes they did this. There is a rust line level with the vents. When the water reached that level it would leak out, but below that it would just sit there creating some heavier rust. I still don't believe it was refinished. Sitting upside down in a leaky barn would do this to the inside but the outside paint would not be affected much since the water that leaked out would dry fairly quickly. Dan Murphy

OK, mea culpa. I guess I have gone blind from seeing 1 too many fakes. They are beautiful pieces, I have to agree. Dan Murphy