Schießplatzmeister

Hello Rick: This piece is actually a Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt Ehrenkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern as it has the "FG" monogram on the reverse center. Since it is not what you thought it was Rick, feel free to send it to me! Congratulations on owning such a scarce and wonderful item! "SPM"

Hello pinpon590: The badge that you present for review appears as though it may have been manufactured by a casting method. It also appears to possibly be artificially patinaed. The pin assembly also looks a bit "modern". I am not an expert regarding these particular badges however, so I will beg your patience as I know that there are other folks on this forum that know these pieces well. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Scott: The "*" stamping on the ring denotes Austrian manufacture I believe. So, this is technically a "copy" from the issue-period, or immediately thereafter. If you compare this piece to a Prussian-made piece (ie: Wagner, etc...), you will see that the motto rings are a bit different (cruder on this piece). I used to have one like this with swords many years ago, but decided to part with it. My advice would be to wait to purchase a "textbook" Wagner-made piece. They are rather common and shouldn't cost you a fortune. Best of luck! "SPM"

Also: The seller offers a "lifetime guarantee". If he deals with the wrong folks, and if they are defrauded, they may terminate early his obligation to guarantee an item.

And guess what! Another outstanding item offered by this seller! Orginal-7er-Ordensspang (see posts below) This looks sort of like a photo from an auction catalogue????? Remember, a few months ago when a fellow was selling only the photo of an item (in fine print), but made it appear that he was selling a group, etc. It seems to me that the format and strategy used by this fellow is very similar! Someone should ask for detailed photos of this group and the reverse too (just for fun). Does anyone know which auction this photograph was taken from? This person is starting to annoy me greatly.

Hello everyone: A Bavarian Military Medical Order 2nd Class was offered recently in the Hermann Historica Auction No. 54 as lot number 5082. The reserve for the piece is ?3.500. The piece did not sell and is still listed as available for purchase. Amazingly enough, on Ebay.de, there is a seller selling the same item! He has at least stolen the photo anyway as it is the same one! Look here: Sanitaets-Tapferkeits-Orden-Bayern (see posts below) The seller had offered this "item" before, but the highest-bidder did not pay (he must have discovered that Hermann Historica has the item and not just the photos like this fellow). To have fun, someone should ask the seller for a nice close-up of the edge of the cross (I bet he can't produce it!). Maybe this fellow owns the piece and consigned it to Hermann Historica, or maybe he is an agent of the auction-house, but I doubt it. Caveat Emptor! "SPM"

Hello Noor: Most Hindenburg Crosses were struck from steel and were bronzed. There are a few genuine bronze pieces floating around. Someone who produced a price guide (I can't remember who at the moment) decided that these should bring a premium on the market. I personally think they are less-common than the steel pieces, but I do not think that I would pay a premium price for one as they can't really be a "scarce" item. Congratulations regarding the acquisition of the very nice mounted medal group A Collector! "SPM"

A good point Kevin! Maybe there is a bit of "shill" bidding going on here (very common on Ebay). I thought that I paid insane prices for items, but this tops all! Best regards, "SPM"

Hello everyone: I have been watching the following piece on Ebay for a few days: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...A:IT&ih=022 It is amazing to me how high it has gone (and the auction isn't even over yet!). I usually don't post regarding active auctions, but I doubt that this posting will "mess-up" anyone's plans at this point. What a beautiful and perfect Godet piece. Someone wants this VERY VERY badly! Amazing! "SPM"

Hello Kay: You bring up an interesting point. There is no way to tell that what is presently being sold with an Expertise by Herr Niemann is indeed what was shown to Herr Niemann and was photographed by Herr Niemann. Basically, this is why an Expertise is practically worthless in most instances. All that it guarantees, is that you have a photograph of an original item on the Expertise. Well, this brings up yet another topic. Is the author of a book necessarily an "expert" on the subject matter at hand? Is the person who creates an Expertise necessarily the person with the most knowledge regarding the subject matter at hand? I have nothing negative to say regarding Herr Niemann, but I have seen Expertises from other dealers that state that questionable items are genuine. I personally believe that if someone is a dealer (buys and sells items), and they accept payment for an Expertise, they are subject to various conflicts of interest which may cloud their judgement at times. I do not believe that most general militaria dealers are sufficiently qualified to render judgement regarding many items. Who can be an "expert" in everything? Just "food for thought". Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Dante: I like it! A nice little group. The poor fellow, all of this, and no EKII!!!! Congratulations, "SPM"

Hello all: Just another example of why one should "purchase the item" and NOT "the story". Another piece of garbage! It is amazing how many "genuine" PLM's are for sale on Ebay throughout the year. It will be funny if a genuine piece does actually come up for sale on Ebay someday (unlikely, but possible)! Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Stogieman: The Bavarian Gendarmerie Long Service Cross on this outstanding mounted group is for 35 years of police service. The Bavarian Luitpold Cross is for 40 years of civil service. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello folks: An interesting item to be sure! This item is without a doubt a FORGERY. At no time was this thing AWARDED to anyone. This is one of the more-common copies about. It does appear to be gold interestingly enough. Someone has also "aged" it artificially. Things that I don't like about it: 1) The eagles are lack significant detail generally and are crude to say the least. 2) The eagles beaks are closed. 3) The eagles feet are not separate from their legs. 4) There are lines at the top and the bottom of the letters "U" and "R" connecting them. 5) The general finish to the enamel and metalwork is not consistant with known originals. This fellow's story to go with this item is interesting to say the least and makes no sense. This is a known copy of a WWI-type PLM. I wouldn't want this thing for free if it were given to me! "SPM"

Hello Hardy: Thank you! It will be interesting to see what they come up with. I never thought that a little postcard could be so interesting! "SPM"

Hello Ulsterman: Good thinking! OK then. Does anyone out there have a regimental history for the k.b. 16. RIR during WWI? I wonder if there is a photo of the TKM recipient Eichinger in it? Best regards, "SPM"

Hello again everyone: Eichinger was on leave at Uttenhofen bei Dinkelscherben in Schwaben. Looking at a map, this place is so small that I doubt that they even have a traffic light. It is a mostly rural farming area approximately 31.5 km from Augsburg. I think that the population of the area was probably rather small before and during the time of the Weltkrieg. I believe that this also increases the odds that the TKM recipient is the same fellow. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello everyone: I agree with Stogieman! The first position ribbon does not look like a TKM ribbon as there is no black to be seen in it. The photo is of rather poor quality though and the photographic process sometimes does strange things with ribbon colors (three of the ribbons look "bleached-out"). I still believe though that he is the TKM recipient as: 1) He has the same name. 2) He has the same rank. 3) He if from the same town. The odds are that this is him in my opinion. The field ribbon bar IS a mystery though! Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Stogieman: Not only is the seller offering this "rare" field ribbon bar for a mere $300, but he is has also split-up the recipient's decorations! The recipient's awards will be scattered to the wind, never to be put back together again! I just don't get it! Why do people do this? I guess that there is plenty of greed and ignorance out there to go around. Yet another sad tale. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Ulsterman: Was the "little corporal" in the 3. Kompanie (I apologize for not knowing the details of his Weltkrieg service)? Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Everyone: So it appears as though Feldwebelleutnant Eichinger didn't have enough fun during the war! Off to the Baltic to join the Border Guards and fight with the White Russians against the Bolsheviks. I guess anything else would have made him bored! A true soldier! Best regards, "SPM"

Hello again: Yes, Stogieman, another sad story indeed! It is so unfortunate that some collectors and dealers look at these magnificent pieces of history only as "things" and do not look deeper at what they represent (insanely brave deeds to stop an enemy attack, saving a wounded comrade under fire, capturing an enemy position and equipment, etc. etc.....). Some brave soldier actually did something rather death-defying (in most cases) and significant to be awarded these medals. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello folks: I want all of you to know that Stogieman has graciously offered me the field ribbon bars that go with this group (and I have accepted of course). He is not motivated by money, but by what is right. I am touched by his generosity and his desire to see things items re-united for the sake of history. These items will now stay together as they should! If only there were more good souls like him, this hobby (and the world) would be so much better! THANK YOU STOGIEMAN! Best regards, "SPM"

Hello folks: Yes, sad but true, I can confirm that the original group was broken-up. I am now in possession of the mounted group, and Stogie fortunately has the field ribbon bars back. So, the group is "sort of" back together geographically after a European tour. It certainly is strange what happens to these things! Best regards, "SPM"

Hello A Collector and welcome: I would just like to add a few comments about my interaction with the current seller of the piece in question. First I would like all to know that I have no personal or business relationship with the seller and that my comments are unsolicited. We must all remember that the seller sells a wide range of items. It is therefore difficult for him to be a specialist in all areas and to know everything about these types of items. His return policy which is posted on his website is very fair. In my previous personal interactions with him (both buying and selling), I have found him to be a man of his word. There was a recent post regarding questionable RAO IV pieces that he offered. As soon as he became aware of their dubious origin, he took appropriate action (according to the postings). Saschaw is completely correct regarding his comments. As Saschaw pointed out, unfortunately, once pieces change hands a few times, their true history becomes obscure. Complete garbage becomes legitimized in this way. Sadly, the forgeries are getting better in this area of collecting. I believe that the future is not good in this regard either. As "values" of these items rise, the criminal forgers get better at their game. This forum is a great aid to all collectors as the information can spread regarding what is good and more importantly, what is not good! Best regards, "SPM"