GdC26

Many thanks Christophe. I concur that although he had the MMJO, unfortunately, Generalmajor Friedrich Freiherr Kreß von Kressenstein is not a good candidate for our bar, which I agree is most likely a bar of a veteran of the wars of German unification (i.e., 1866 and 1870/71), I would hope though that with the familiy connection (and the attribution to the Kreß von Kressenstein estate is sound) and the combination of the decorations, someone on the Forum is able to attribute the bar. Any help is welcome! Kind regards, Sandro

Many thanks Charles. This is where I get to (but as I said, I've not been able to attribute the bar as yet): - Bavaria: Militär Max Josef Orden, knightscross; gold or silver bravery medal; or Militär Sanitätsorden; - Bavaria: Verdienstorden der bayerische Krone, knightscross; - Bavaria, St. Michalesorden third or fourth class; - Bavaria: Luitpoldkreuz für 40 Dienstjahre im Staats- und Gemeindedienst; - Prussia: EK II 1870 OR 1914; - Prussia: Kriegsdenkmünze 1870 OR Hindenburg cross (which given that this is an old style bar, and that it has the Armeedenkzeichen 1866 and the Luitpoldkreuz, which was insititued in 1911, seems to me to be less likely. But it would determine whether the bar is for an 1870's or 1914 veteran. If it is the former, that precludes the first ribbon being for hte Militär Sanitäts orden, and we're looking at a bravery award in first place); - Bayern, Armeedenkzeichen 1866; - Austria: Order of the Iron crown III. Class. I originally thought it might be a bar to Otto Kress von Kressenstein, who did serve in the 1870/1871 wars of unification and won an EK II, but I didn't find evidence of the award of an MMJO, and don't believe the Luitpoldcross fits the bill (Otto Kress von Kressenstein became war minister in 1912, one year after the institution of the Luitpold cross, and I would have expected him to have been given a military service cross, not a civil one). Any help much appreciated! Kind regards, Sandro

Dear Forumites, I've been offered this ribbon bar out of the Kress von Kressenstein estate, but (together with the current owner), have been struggling to attribute it. I'm hopeful, though, that with the MMJO/Militär Sanitätsorden ribbon in first place, it can in fact be attributed. Any help you can give is much appreciated. Kind regards, Sandro

Very nice, well done

That's a steal, unused individual volumes used to be € 250 each. Kind regards, Sandro

Austrian Militär Verdienstkreuz III. class with war decoration. Center looks like it has been damaged, and the ribbon is incorrect. These crosses are pretty common, and with the correct ribbon and in good shape, retail for around € 125-150. Regards, Sandro

Many thanks Glenn, based on the pics you posted you may well be right. What is the story of Mr. Lang, who I see from the web, eventually made it to Generalleutnant, too? And what is the story of Mr. Moser, do you know? Best, Sandro

Thanks for all these insights Chris. Best, Sandro

Thanks Chris. I was trying to find his face on the web - do you have a picture of hte Generalleuntant? You're right about the officers cross (introduced in 1905 if I'm not mistaken), but Lang was certainly not the only Bavarian general who got one. Regards, Sandro

Hello Graf, To my knowledge, the star-mark denotes "unedles Metall", so not gold, platina or silver, and is not a hallmark, but is believed to be an (Austrian) jewellers mark to assist in identification of the type of metal used (and thus: the commercial value) of the piece. Regards, Sandro

Thank you Andreas, the first I knew, but the second I did not, and it gives me what I was looking for. Many thanks for that, cheers, Sandro

Thanks Andreas. I'd found that list, but believe it is incomplete, as it does for example not denote von Marchtaler's EKI (which I believe he wears in the pic that accompanies the Wikipedia article), or the König Wilhelm Adjutantenabzeichen I expect von Marchtaler may have had.Was he bestowed something like the Wilhelmskreuz mit Krone ind Schwertern? Any info you and others can give me, and any wartime pics you or other members can share very much appreciated. Best, Sandro

Still looking, any help appreciated. Best, Sandro

Alex, You did good. I didn't know Rick very well either, but from the few virtual encounters I had with him, and from his many excellent postings on WAF and GMIC it is clear that he was a sharing person. Your donation of the document he left you to a museum befits his memory, so well done to both. Best, Sandro

Got the book, many thanks for your help, wraith42 Kind regards, Sandro

Thanks a lot. My Hungarian is less than it should be, but I've written to the seller - lets see if I get lucky. Kind regards, Sandro

Dear Forumites, Can anyone help me locate a copy of this book please? Szent István lovagjai A legrangosabb magyar kitüntetés 250 éve, ISBN: 978 615 5209 34 5 I've written to the museum, and am awaiting their reply, but any help is appreciated. Best wishes for 2016, Sandro

To my knowledge, the star denotes use of non-precious metals (i.e., or generally, bronze) and is (generally seen as) indicative of wartime manufacture. Regards, Sandro

Dear Forumites, Can someone please help me by providing me with the awards list at the end of WWI of Otto von Marchtaler, Württemberg's minister of war throughout WW I? Many thanks and best wishes, Sandro

What alternative point of view? These collar tabs are (i) WWII vintage and (ii) shown in the right direction - assuming the collar is pointing down, this is how they should be mounted.

Östa, I'm looking at it, but what specifically, are your drawing our attention to, please? To be clear - the picture that started this thread shows Kronprinz Rupprecht von Bayern with several bavarian generals during a postwar gathering. Most generals wear Bavarian style generals tunics with the prussian style collar tabs (Altlarisch) adopted by Bavaria in 1916 (if memory serves). The general I have singled out in the second picture wears a Litewka with what appears to be a Bavarian Borte in front of the collar tabs, and has the collar tabs mounted the wrong way around. I scanned the link you sent me, but see nothing that addresses (i) Bavarian uniforms and (ii) the mounting of the collar tabs in the manner done by the general shown in the second pic.

Likey, it would be dismissed as a fabrication, which in part is why I (bought and) posted the pic ....

And how could the general miss it when putting on the litewka .....? Es gibt nichts das es nicht gegeben hat .....