Schießplatzmeister

My opinion: VERY bad (made in the not too distant past). Value: 0 Sorry to break the bad news to you! Best regards, "SPM"

Heed Wildcards warning on this one! "SPM"

Hello Chris: Yes, that is a TKM ribbon to be sure! He is also wearing his EK ribbon underneath. If we know the unit and the time that the photo was taken, it may be possible to come up with the name of the recipient. Do you know which company this is? Best regards, "SPM"

Yuk! OK, here is what we appear to have. Original medals polished to the nth degree. An 1866 campaign cross that looks RECENTLY painted. Ribbons that look awfully clean. A more-modern mounting style with a non-period pin. Awards that do NOT follow the proper precident! Run away! Run away! I wouldn't want this monstrosity if it were given to me! A bad day in the "lets make a mounted group because it will look cool" lab. Oh no! I may have just ticked off a bunch of folks that "re-create" medal bars. No hard feelings, to each their own. I don't think that we need to start bringing up THAT topic again! Best regards, "SPM"

Thanks Gerd! I would have eventually found it I guess, but you saved me a lot of time! Nice work Rick! Thanks, "SPM"

Hello All: Pardon my ignorance, but where is this article published? Thanks, "SPM"

Hello Dante: This particular piece is a modern forgery in my opinion. Do not purchase it! Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Robert: Yes, that is definately the Kronprinz Wilhelm! I would surmise that the photograph is pre-1914 because there is no EKII ribbon. This is his stripped-down uniform for the field (inspections, maneuvers, etc.). As you can see, he only has his medal bar and his Prussian Order of the Black Eagle star. Look at all of the loops for the other Order stars! He is also not wearing his collar of the Prussian Hohenzollern House Order. A very nice card! Congratulations on obtaining it! "SPM"

Well...... First, I would like to say that I have found Herr Weitze to be an honest and reliable dealer and my experiences with him have always been pleasant. Also, I find that he has some wonderful and rare items on a regular basis and nothing that I can instantly dismiss as a forgery (like some other dealers!). The Lancelle items must be looked at separately before they are looked at as a group. The EKI is in poor condition. The pin is not standard on known Wagner pieces (but perhaps it was replaced at some point). But,... if the pin was not replaced, then the piece may be a forgery. Only by picking it up and looking at it would one be able to tell. Then again, it could be a worn and battered original with a replaced pin. The mounted group looks fantastic! The only problem that I have with it is that it appears as though the Crown Order's lower right sword hilt has been replaced. Since this is the key piece, it is somewhat of a detractor (but try to find another one that is perfect!). The backing is gone if there ever was one and the pin may have been replaced (but these are not big problems). The combination with the lifesaving medal makes it really nice. The ribbons are old and look like they have not been fooled with. I love the group, but would pass on the EKI if I were to spend my own money on it! Oh well, everyone has an opinion (but it doesn't necessarily make us experts!). Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Kevin: Not a stupid question at all. Although I have not researched the statutes regarding this, recipients of the Prussian Hohenzollern House Order with swords always wore a small device with crown and swords on the ribbon to distinguish it from the EKII. Isn't it odd how the EKII which became such a VERY COMMON award relatively early in the war outranked the HHO in importance!. Of course this precedence was based upon tradition and the statutes regarding this which were instituted when the EK really did mean something more. Of course too, early on, the EK was actually considered an Order (although no nobility, titles, etc. followed). Best regards, "SPM"

Hello again Hardy: Thank you for your patience and the excellent information! Now I see the Griffen of Baden on the helmet. Excellent information regarding the shoulder boards, and a superb link for information regarding the 110th! I have learned a lot from the analysis of these photos. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello again: I think that this is what we are looking at? "SPM"

Hello Hardy: I claim ignorance (my default setting) regarding being able to tell what color the Kokades are. I frankly can't see the Griffen of Baden on any of the helmets. I do also see however PRUSSIAN eagles on the bugles too. Did the Music Korps troops of Baden not have their own types of bugles and drum hangers? Best regards, "SPM"

Hello folks: Tom is correct in his translation. However, I believe to be more specific, in reality, these awards went to field nurses (on bow ribbons) and were also awarded to doctors and other medical personel. I further believe that awards were made for activities well beyond the 1870/71 conflict (but it seems that awards had practically ceased by the start of WWI). Best regards, "SPM"

Hello again everyone: I am definately out of my area of expertise on this one. However, I still say definately Prussian (not Baden, not Bavaria). The Schulterklappen look like they are for enlisted men of the Grenadier-Regt. K?nig Friedrich Wilhelm I. (2. Ostpreu?isches) Nr. 3 K?nigsberg. I am rather certain about this now after finding an example in a catalogue. Where are our Prussian uniform experts to verify this? Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Robert: These are Prussians in my opinion. Notice the drum hanger which is a Prussian eagle. I'm not sure of the unit. Perhaps some of our uniform specialists can make out the cipher on the epaulettes. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello again Mark: Yes, it certainly does look like a RAO IV (although the photographic resolution is not good enough to be 100% certain). There are no listings that I know of for the HUGE amount of RAO IV last-type badges awarded. A Prussian Rangliste will do no good obviously and I know of no other listings which would include awards to foreign military personnel. You will have to find a ranklist for Danish Officers if such a thing exists (not my cup of tea). Or, you may have to look in Danish who's who/peerage lists or other Danish geneological sources. Perhaps Tim Eriksen could be of some help? Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Mark: Yes, there is information available regarding the RAO awards. A listing exists for the early 1st and 2nd Class awards (to civilians and military personnel). Also, of course, rank lists show all awards to military personnel (including the 3rd and 4th classes). Do you have a particular individual in mind that you are trying to research? Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Mark: Thanks for sharing the information! Very interesting indeed. I wonder who has that ONE! genuine badge with swords? Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Alex K: Don't panic. There is nothing so terrible that it detracts from the appearance or value of the piece. I suggest that you don't apply anything to it as this could cause bigger problems. Being as old as it is, a little bit of verdigris is expected and not a problem. You blokes over the pond always want to polish these bl**din medals or make them look new! It looks good. A nice piece. Congratulations! Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Veteran: Your photo is of the same-era (1846-1854) badge as that posted above. A very nice piece congratulations! It should be noted that this is actually the 2nd type of eagle as far as 4th Class RAO badges are concerned as the first type had a silver center and was made in one piece. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Alex K: What you have is an 1846-1854!!!!! example with the "Lila Adler" (lilac eagle). This is much less commonly encountered than the later type of the smooth-armed cross with the "Karminrotem/Ziegelrotem" (brick red) eagle. A very fine piece! Best regards, "SPM"

Hello again everyone: I'm sorry that I was not able to reply sooner. Everyone has exactly expressed the identical thoughts that I had as to why the bar is German. The mounting is exclusively German in style. If the recipient was Austrian the ribbons would be tri-folded or furled (Bavarian fashion). Also, if an Austrian Officer who happened to receive an OZL, it would be mounted behind a good many other Austrian Orders and awards. It is rather common to see German groups with the Austrian War Merit Cross. It should be easy to find the pieces to fit the bar in order to restore it if you so desire. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello again Mark: Beyrei? is a collector and specialist regarding Oldenburg Orders and decorations. He wrote a book a few years ago which has become the "textbook" for Oldenburg. I'm not certain when the swords were instituted for the Officer's Cross (I am a work and don't have my reference material here, but they certainly existed from 1914-1918). My assumption is that persons in the military services received the award with swords and that one didn't necessarily have to be under fire to receive them. I don't know where your photos are from, but I just remembered one of these Orders being offered in Germany with the original case and award document. That one is undoubtedly good due to the context. Contact me by PM and I will explain if interested. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello again Naxos: The wearer of this bar was definately a German and not an Austrian. So, most likely, he was a junior Officer from the Grand Duchy of Baden. "SPM"