Schießplatzmeister

Hello Christophe: I love this photo! If you ever want to part with it, let me know. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello folks: Actually, I didn't find anything particularly questionable about this piece. It seemed to me a well-worn original with the suspension loop broken off. Someone else thought this too, as it sold for a decent price! Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Chris: Yes, this price does seem a bit on the steep side! The winner must be a hard-core Verdun/Douaumont collector, a collector of this regiment, or perhaps, this was the card of a relative??? I personally have always liked Sterbebildchen and believe that they are under-appreciated as collectibles. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Thierry: As Vince pointed out, there are problems with this group. The Togo campaign bars are without a doubt modern forgeries. As also pointed out by Vince, the ribbons look very bright and are probably modern. If you do not yet own this, my suggestion would be to not purchase it. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Rick: Lot number 65 went to a very good and deserving home. It was a real sleeper that was probably one of the rarest items in the entire auction! All will probably be made known by the fortunate party in the future. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Eric: There is no need to obtain a "suspension ring" as your piece is complete "as is". I believe that this is how these pieces were awarded. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Trevor: In your posting you mention that the piece from the book "The Iron Time" is a "known original". I would caution you not to necessarily reach this conclusion without other supporting facts regarding pieces of this type. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Doc: The 2nd medal is a Grand Duchy of Baden Military Karl Friedrich Merit Medal The 3rd medal is a Grand Duchy of Baden Merit Medal in Silver on the Military Karl Friedrich Order/Medal ribbon. The 4th award is a PRUSSIAN 15 Year Long Service Cross (for NCO's) on a Baden Long Service Award-type ribbon. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello folks: This to me looks like a 1914 EKII core and frame. The core was probably altered on the Crown/"W"/"1914" side. The ribbon also looks like a WWI-era ribbon. The envelope (if not a counterfeit itself) could be for any piece of jewelry. I would stay away from this one! Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Claudio: Thank you for explaining the precidence of this Frackspange! Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Miguel: This group is absolutely correct for a Sachsen Junior Officer. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Everyone: Note that this is NOT the correct ribbon for this medal. The original ribbon was white on one side and pale blue (Himmelfarb) on the other. This medal was also for a veteran's flag and was never worn by an individual as far as is known. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Tim: No, this fellow is not honest in ANY way, shape, or form! Everything that I have seen this person sell is dubious! I am not defending him, but it is interesting to note that on Ebay.de, most sellers start their items at ?1,00. This is in part to defray Ebay's high fees for items starting at a higher opening bid. It is pretty much "standard practice" (It also seems to attract more bidders). Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Romanov Denis: A very interesting grouping! The EKII is of 1914-1918 era manufacture and has been altered by having the obverse ground down and re-finished in my opinion. It is therefore worthless (ie: damaged EKII). It does appear to be on an old silk non-combatant type ribbon (which could be for a number of awards). The RAO III by Friedlander looks to be gold and looks to be in perfect condition! This is the last type of RAO III awarded until ~1916. To sum it all up, the RAO is the key piece of the group and the EK is sadly something that has been altered and was not part of the original group in my opinion. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Ulsterman: I believe that the silver-coloured medal is the Austrian Anschlu?medaille, and the gold-coloured medal is the Sudentenland Anschlu?medaille. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello everyone: Yes someone that visits this forum purchased this bar (not me). It looks fine to me. The precidence is correct in my opinion, and all of the orders, crosses, medals, and bars look original to me. The MVO III w/swords in gold alone is worth more I believe than was paid for the entire group! Even if it is a "put together" bar, the parts are definately worth more than was paid. "SPM"

Hello Scott: Yes, I believe that you are correct in that combat service time counted double when it came to tabulating an individual's service when considering award eligibility. "SPM"

Hello Ulsterman: Oh yes, there are a great many Bavarian civil long-service decorations. The group that you show however has a Bavarian Ludwig Cross on the left and a Bavarian Gold (or Bronze?) Agricultural Jubilee medal on the right (neither of which are true "long-service awards" in my opinion). There was also a Luitpold Cross for 40 Years of civil service, and awards for gendarmerie service, fire brigade service, service in the army arsenals, and a Red Cross service award. But, I believe that Alexandre was possibly more interested in the military long service awards, hence my response. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello again Alexandre: This is the 15 Year Service Cross for NCO's which was awarded after 1913. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Alexandre: An excellent question: Well, the answer is a bit complicated, but here is a brief outline: Bavarian Long-Service Awards: For Officers: 40 Year Cross (silver w/ blue enamel center elements) 24 Year Cross (two variations exist depending on the era of award, one dark bronze (earlier: pre-1906), and one bronze (often gilded), they are also different sizes I believe, with the earlier award being larger) For NCOs/enlisted: 21 Year Clasp (prior to 1914) gilded with frame/15 Year Cross gilded finish(after 1914) 12 Year Clasp (prior to 1914) silver with frame/12 Year Medal gilded finish (after 1914) 9 Year Clasp (prior to 1914) iron with frame/9 Year Medal silver-coloured finish (after 1914) For Reserve Officers: 20 Year Service Cross silver For Reserve NCOs/enlisted: 2nd Class Landwehr Service Clasp (prior to 1914)/2nd Class Landwehr Service Medal copper/bronze finish (after 1914) Note that there were also early 19th Century long-service veteran's awards for 40 and 25 years of service which pre-date the above. Rick recently covered the Officer's crosses in a posting. There is a nice 40 Year Service Cross for sale by Cartoonman in the Sale Section. My outline is a bit simplistic, but perhaps it will help answer your question. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Mark: The entry is "6/4.18. Silb. Mil. Verd. Med." as far as I can determine. So, this soldier was awarded the W?rttemberg Silver Military Merit Medal on April 6, 1918. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello again: The piece shown on the website with the red background is of much better quality than the piece shown in the other photos (which is the one that I would imagine you would receive if you sent this fellow money!). The piece with the red background looks rather familiar. I know that I have seen this image somewhere before.....? So, the photo is probably pirated. Rather blatant bait and switch tactics. What a load of nonesense regarding the various measurements, metals used, etc. Yes, there were variations, but for this period, there were only three (3), and this in NOT a genuine Wagner-made piece! It is really sad that there is always someone out there ready to purchase such a piece believing it to be genuine! "SPM" Thank you Kev for warning the folks here on this forum!

Hello folks: This is WITHOUT a doubt a modern forgery. The enamel work is horrid (notice how the enamel is flat and not properly contoured)! The eagles are not of the proper design (close though). The case is also a modern fantasy! RUN away from this one! I wouldn't want it if someone gave it to me! Caveat emptor! "SPM"

Hello Gutemuh: There is the multi-volume Official History of the 1870-71 War which is available in its original German, and there are even English language reprints available from The Battery Press, Nashville. This is the "Bible" of the conflict which is very thorough. For a less-detailed overview, there is the book in German and English (The Franco=German War) by v. Moltke which is readily available. A book that I really love is "Der Krieg gegen Frankreich 1870-71" by Th. Lindner. And of course, if this doesn't give you enough information, you can always look in the regimental histories of the Baden units covering the 1870-71 war period. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Steve: Since it is very likely that this fellow received his long service award prior to 1913, and he was probably not an Officer, it is likely that he wore one of the custom enamelled long-service bars for NCO's/enlisted-men that was made with a ribbon ring. I have Prussian examples in my collection. I'm sure that Saschaw can show you what one looks like. The question is, which one did he have? It is not possible to be 100% certain. Congratulations regarding this very nice bar! I love these groups with the classic "Strassburg" and "An der Lisane" bars of the XIV A.K. (v. Werder)! "SPM"