Schießplatzmeister

Hello: If I am not mistaken, I see the markings "935" and "W" on the suspension pie. This piece was definately not made by Wagner! The workmanship and finish of this piece are also very poor. Thus, I believe this to be a forgery made in the not too distant past. I do not believe it to be made by Rothe either, as their forgeries are usually of higher quality than this. With all such items, I believe that melt determines the value, although without testing this, I wouldn't even be certain that it is gilded-silver. Run away from this piece as fast as you can! Best regards, "SPM"

Hello all: I hate to also be the bearer of bad news, but the 25 year oakleaves do not look like any that I have ever seen before. In fact, they look to be rather crude (perhaps cast). The pin on the reverse of the bar is also unlike one that I have seen before (these were usually rather standard during this time period). I believe that Sascha may be on to something here. I for one trust his judgement (especially regarding items from Baden). Without personally inspecting the rest of the bar though, it would be difficult for me to determine how/when it was made. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Dond: Opinions vary slightly according to various sources. According to H&S, for the last coinage, the numbers awarded were as follows: Gold/ Silver-gilt/ Silver 1870-71: 133/ 0/ 612 1914-18: 745/ 453/ 2,932 Totals: 878/ 453/ 3,544 Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Paddywack: That is an interesting piece that you are sharing with us. It is a non-issued, privately-made piece. It looks to be a "copy" made before 1945 for actual recipients of the medal. The die-variation is very interesting. A very nice quality piece. Congratulations, and thank you for showing this medal to us. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello everyone: Beware: Ebay member "Ruestkammer88" with a "0" feedback rating and who has been a member since 08/17/08 is listing items that are not owned by him/her. This appears to be the same individual who was selling photos only from auction catalogues awhile back. I will not post a link as this has sometimes caused problems in the past. Please go to Ebay.de directly and look up the following examples: 1) 260278106443: This is a photo of the cover of the current Landshuter R?stkammer catalogue. This individual (Ruestkammer88) is most certainly not a representative of the auctionhouse! 2) 260278115748: This is a photo of a group that I believe was sold in another auction or by private sale recently (I believe that Heiko may have had a group like this?). Look at the other items listed by this "seller" for more amusing examples! Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Scott: I saw this one too. Unfortunately, the photos on the website where this is offered do not allow for a 100% certainty that this is genuine. From the fuzzy photos, it looks OK. The poor quality photos however do not allow one to see the details that cause one to have no doubts. By the way, IF this is genuine, the price at which it is being offered is very attractive. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Kev: This fellow seems to be wearing the ribbon for the Hohenzollern Principality House Order Merit Medal. He probably was awarded the Silver Class with Swords. There is no sword device on the ribbon, but since he was a combat soldier, it would have been an "overstatement" anyway. Can anyone make out what unit this is? Is it one of the Hohenzollern Regiments (such as the 40th)? Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Micha: No, I didn't notice the wreath variation (but it was there for all to see!). Yes, it is interesting that there is a laurel-wreath instead of an oak-wreath, like the piece on the right. I did notice that the eagle's wings had a different number of feathers, that the crowns were different, the lettering was different, and the indentation to the raised rim on the upper-arm where the suspension loop is soldered on. I feel confident then that this is not a modern copy as a modern copy would be undoubtedly cast from an original. This was probably a privately-contracted die. It is interesting to note that the suspension loop approximates that of a mint-struck piece in design. I will have to look at the piece in my collection and my reference literature tonight when I get home. Simply fascinating! Thank you for sharing this piece Micha! "SPM"

Hello Micha: The cross on the right is an original standard mint-struck non-combatant 1866 campaign cross of course. The piece on the left looks like an interesting die-variation, that is close to the official version. Perhaps it was a replacement die officially made when the first one broke during stamping. Or, perhaps it is a piece for private purchase. It looks like it is probably a period piece however. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello everyone: The ?se on these "reductions" was struck from the same piece of stock as the planchet, a hole was drilled in the tab to make the "eyelet", and it was then twisted 90 degrees to give it the proper configuration for the addition of the ribbon ring. The first "reduction" piece shown is undoubtedly bronze or gilded-bronze, but has had a silver ribbon ring added at a later date. I believe that these pieces were probably popular for 1870-71 campaign medal recipients as replacements to be used on their large medal bars. All of the medals would then be the same size and hang at the same level. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello everyone: This group sold for $5,666.00. I wonder who the winner was? Congratulations to someone! Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Eric: Thank you for sharing the photographs of your very nice pieces. The miniature is especially nice! Please note that I believe that the larger (full-size) piece is an issued cross struck from bronze. The piece was gilded and the recessed areas were blackened. Bavarian Officers (and other Officers) often had their crosses gilded (as "luxury" pieces if you will). This way they looked very nice all of the time (didn't develop the lovely green patinae that would stain their uniforms and didn't need to be polished). I imagine that a gold cross could exist, but it would undoubtedly have to have been cast from an issued piece. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello again Rick: You nailed it. The fellow is a Gold Military St. Henry Medal recipient. I know his awards, dates, etc. I have the book of recipients. His citation is not in there however! So, IF a regimental history exists, and IF it contains information about his battle action, then I can figure out what insanely brave actions he took on that fateful day. In any case, if I can't find this information, I have a good deal of other information and all will soon be revealed. Thanks! "SPM"

Hello Rick: Thank you for your reply. I need citation information for an NCO from WWI who did something rather brave (I know his awards, but not what he did). I have found a 1908 regimental history, but can't find one covering the WWI period. I think that such a history has not been published as I have been looking extensively with no luck. This posting was a last resort. Thank you for your offer of assistance! "SPM"

Hello everyone: I am desperately looking for the following post-WWI Sachsen regimental history: Geschichte des 7. Infanterie-Regiments "K?nig Georg" Nr. 106 I need information from it to complete a project. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Scott: Wow! What a journey this poor bar has been on. You are asking for opinions, so here goes: I believe that yes, this is the same bar as listed on the receipt. I believe that the Crown Order 4th w/ Genfer Kreuz was added (as was the ribbon). I believe that the 1914 EK repetition bar was added. And, I believe that this particular item (1914 EK repetition bar) is a modern forgery [no matter what is listed in a nice big hard cover color book (1st or 2nd revised edition) in English to the contrary]. One would have more luck finding a chicken with teeth! At this point, I don't know what you should do with the group. It is still a nice group! The non-combatant 1870 EKII is nice, as is the 1866 non-combatant cross (rather scarce!). It is a shame what has been done to it by an individual(s) in the past. I'm glad that you have it, appreciate it, and want to find the truth regarding it, and restore it to its former glory. This is a noble effort! Congratulations on owning this nice group! Best regards, "SPM"

Hello everyone: Looking through my records, interestingly enough, I do have information that there was an 1870-1871 Bavarian veteran who wore his EK II in his buttonhole, followed by the Bavarian TKM, 1870-71 campaign, etc. on his chest. Best regards, "SPM"

(I thought you were correcting my scientifically inaccurate inquiry!)

I meant to ask if it was ferrous and attracted a magnet. They were originally made from cast iron as I recall (at least in the earlier part of the war). Of course it would not be naturally magnetic unless a charge was imparted. Sorry, I have been working too much lately and I am very very tired! "SPM"

Hello Richarddwh: It does look a bit odd. The details don't look as fine as they should be ("a bit wonky" is spot on). It is difficult to tell though with the photo provided. Is it magnetic? The ribbon ring looks like painted aluminium. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello everyone: Rick is absolutely correct regarding this (as with all other things)! In order to receive the Bavarian Military Merit Medal the recipient would have to be a Bavarian (there may have been exceptions to this, but I do not know of any). And, a Bavarian veteran of the 1870-1871 conflict would wear the MVM, then the EKII, and then the campaign medal. I guess that it is possible that the Centennial was worn by itself. This group sounds a bit strange to be sure. I wish that a photo/scan of it was posted. That would certainly help determine what is going on here. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello: Unfortunately, I too can confirm the bad news. I believe that both cross #1 and cross #2 shown are recently made copies. So, you should definately return them from whence they came. As pointed out, they are copies made by casting. On cross #2, the forgers at least tried to copy the pin, but the workmanship is very poor. I hope that you are able to get your money back. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello everyone: Sniffen forgot to mention that all of these items are currently for sale on Ebay broken-up into individual lots. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Miguel: This medal seems to be missing the reverse inscription "DEM VERDIENSTE". Very strange indeed! I would think that it would be best to stay away from it. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Roman: Yes, this is the correct ribbon for the Hessen-Darmstadt Military Medic's Cross for Combat-related recipients (this is the same ribbon as for the Bravery Medal). The "civilian" version of the ribbon was a dark-red with silver metallic threads. So, this combination is possible. I am a bit puzzled by the pin on the reverese of this group however as it looks a bit strange. Best regards, "SPM"