Mark M

A small set to a Wurttemberger. [attachmentid=45265]

Mike Yes, it was. The two little white stitches on the left of the umbrella (visable in the black light photo) were added at the time the bar was reassembled. Mark

Ah, you guys take all the fun out of everything I bought the bar from an honest seller who informed me up front what the bar was. The awards were all original to the bar, but the ribbons were trashed so he replaced them. Some were replaced with period spares, others (the Baden) were replaced with current. The black light was the give away. All told though the bar is very convincing and had he been dishonest could have probably sold the bar for a lot more. [attachmentid=45203]

The bar follows usual guide lines for assembly - clips are sewn at variuos heights to strips of material which the ribbons cover. The medals all hang on their clips - only the EK and the XV have additional stitching to hold them in place. What is unusal about this bar is that unlike other bars which are sewn so tight you can barely move the awards, everything on this bar is loose - not falling off loose but not tight either. So, I am curious as to what others have to say. Regards, Mark

The bottom edge of the Baden medal has an interesting "bow tie" makers stamp. [attachmentid=45053]

It is tough to see but the EK ring has a makers mark of what looks like "mm". [attachmentid=45052]

Now the tail - the backing material is a red cloth. [attachmentid=45050]

I bought this medal bar last week not becasue I thought it was real, but because I thought it was fake. While I feel it is vital to examine as many legit bars and awards as possible, I feel it is equally importamt to examine copies as well to better understand the differences in construction and styles. At the time I purchased it I felt that the bar was assembled using period parts and awards but after examining it I am not so sure. So, I will post photos and ask for opinions, good or bad. First, the obverse. [attachmentid=45049]

Mike This is a close match but the outer blue is thicker than yours. Plus at one time it appears this one had swords. Like yours, I am not sure what this one is either. Mark [attachmentid=44861]

Rick Your Austrian friend has been at it again. [attachmentid=44703] [attachmentid=44704]

Rick I already have the date circled on my calander. I think Ziege's is going to get expensive though. Claudio I already considered the "polar bear" of the Golden Merit Medal as both would be less expensive replacements. Looking at how high the loop is sewn I do not think that this was a GMM. It would not have hung even at the bottom edge. It the ring was missing completely I would go with the RK2, but as the original gilt colored ring is still there I would like to replace it with the correct level. To be honest I am not sure how I am going to replace this anyway. I peeked under the ribon and the ring is sewn to the backing almost all the way around the ring! No wonder it stayed on when the medal was removed! Thanks everyone, Mark

And you can just see the gilt ring peeking out from the folds of the ribbon. [attachmentid=43521]

The "hind quarters". [attachmentid=43520]

I had the luck to be offered this fabulous Anhalt non combatants medal bar and it just arrived in todays mail. Thank you C. It is missing the Albrecht RK1, but the ring is still sewn tightly to the bar. Just beautiful! Now, does anyone happen to have a non mounted "honey bear" they would like to part with so I can complete this set? [attachmentid=43519]

Mark I am curious about the tunic your great-grandfather is wearing. You said the photo is dated 1942, yet this is a Wurttemberg generals tunic he has on. Note the crown buttons, including the two on the sleeve cuffs, the red cap band, and the lack of any reichs adlers or wreath cockade on the cap. The lack of the HK cross also indicates pre 1934. Could this be a 1942 reprint of a early 20s photo? Regards, Mark

Jan Thank you for the quick ID. The award is currently hanging from a Bavarian Luitpold ribbon so I doubt it is original to the bar. Regards, Mark

Can anyone help ID this award? It is currently on a Bavarian medal bar but I doubt it is original to the bar. The award has the dates 1870 1871 on the reverse. Sorry for the poor photos. Thanks, Mark [attachmentid=41558] [attachmentid=41559]

And the reverse of the document for those who insist on seeing the backside of everything [attachmentid=40872]

Issued in Helsinki on July 3, 1919. [attachmentid=40871]

How do I know who the owner was? Because it also came with the award document for the Finnish Campaign medal! [attachmentid=40870]

And the reverse: [attachmentid=40867]

Here is my small contribution to this thread. Just arrived in todays mail (with many thanks to Chris Boonzaier for all his help ). A six place medal bar to a Gefreiten Anton Muller. Front: [attachmentid=40864]

Don't look at the back - look at the front! It is beauuuutiful!

Another unusal aspect of the cross is that on the reverse, diectly above the needle catch is sewn a reinforced loop similar to what was sewn on tunics for attaching pinback awards. No idea of what itis for. I look forward to hearing comments/speculation about this bar. [attachmentid=38232]

Both Saxon orders are stamped S on the bottom of the crosses. The Albert Order is also marked Scharffenberg on the 9 o,clok arm and Dresden on the 3 o'clock arm. [attachmentid=38231]