Schießplatzmeister

Hmmm....... 1) Looks very much like the example listed by Beyrei? (good) 2) But with only 328 awards, I have seen far too many circulating in the last few years (bad) 3) Therefore, personally, I would not purchase one without documentation and the proper context, etc. Sorry that I couldn't be of more assistance! "SPM"

Hello Naxos: A nice bar that you have. The second position would most likely be a Baden Order of the Z?hringer Lion Knight 2nd Class with swords, and the third position would most likely be an Austrian War Merit Cross 3rd Class with war decoration. These are the awards that are most commonly found on these ribbon combinations (although other combinations are possible). I believe that your fellow was a junior Officer. Thank you for sharing this nice piece. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello everyone: Yes the Order of Adolph of Nassau was awarded well beyond 1866. At some point beyond 1866 a knight's badge with a crown was added to the Order also, so any of them with a crown is definately post-1866. Thus, any badges without a crown could have been awarded by Nassau or Luxembourg until at least 1909. I am not certain when all awards ceased. Is there anyone out there with the book by Schoos (sp?) who can tell us? The first fellow does look like a diplomatic-corps member. It seems to me that they are not the same individuals, but have the same mustache! Nice photos none-the-less! Thank you for sharing them. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Naxos: Your interesting cross looks like it had something soldered on the reverse at the center. Perhaps there were prongs of some sort there at some point in the past????? Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Pluribus: Good observation, I was thinking the same thing. It does look like St. Stanislaus Order ribbon. Would any of our other Imperial Russian Order collectors care to comment? If it IS St. Stanislaus, this would be a very unusual group. Good observation Saschaw a Grecian award would make more sense politically. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Chris: Unfortunately, the citations for the GMVK awards were never published. I'm sure that they existed at one point, but were probably destroyed during WWII (or else someone would have been circulating the information or have attempted to publish it by now). Of course you have Ophaus and Nickel as the sources for name, address, occupation, unit, and date of award information, but that is about it. The document is probably going to cost you a lot as it has been noticed by a lot of people by now. I noticed it too (you can find a copy of the Ophaus book offered by the same seller). Undoubtedly, this book came from the estate of the recipient. Where is the GMVK? Note that I believe that it is a bad idea to talk on this forum about things that have not yet sold (on Ebay or elsewhere) as it makes it harder for everyone to get them at a good price. It is great for the seller, but bad for the buyers. You may have just contributed to making the document less affordable for yourself! (sorry for the lecture!) But, since you asked the question, I thought that I would respond. Good luck bidding. I hope that you get it! Chris I will not be bidding on this item (against you). Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Stogieman and Steve: I do not believe that the second place ribbon is for a Bavarian 1905 Jubilee medal. It appears to be a red ribbon with white stripes. I do not think that it is Bavarian, but perhaps something else? Best regards, "SPM"

Hello again Andy, Tom, and Tony: Yes, this fuse is a bit different than the one shown in the illustration. The numbers in Arabic go from 2 to at least 48 (they go up in increments of 2) from what I can make out. Also, the threaded base for this fuse is of larger diameter proportionally compared to the width of the fuse than the one for the fuse shown in the illustration (which is narrower compared to the width of the fuse). Thus, we have a Krupp made Ottoman Army/Navy fuse but what model exactly? Best regards, "SPM"

Hello again Andy: So there we have it, a Krupp made 1898/09 S22? made for Ottoman Turkish forces. A very nice item! My supposition was totally incorrect regarding aluminium usage. I stand corrected! I learn something new each day. Congratulations regarding your acquisition! Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Andy: A nice fuse that you have! Indeed the markings around the base are numbers in Arabic. These were to dial in the proper timing for the fuse. Perhaps this is Ottoman, but with Aluminium used for construction, I would assume that it is much later (perhaps WWII-era). It is my opinion that aluminium was too valuble to use for shell fuses during WWI. At the time it was considered rather expensive and uncommon and would have been used for aircraft parts, not for fuses. This is not my area of expertise though, so I will have you rely on the opionion of others regarding the maker and exact era of manufacture. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Sandro: Congratulations regarding your acquisition! Best regards, "SPM"

Hello again Sandro: Thank you for the close-up photographs. With the close-ups, it now looks to me as though the center pieces are probably gold (I was mistaken regarding this earlier). It also looks as though the pin is gilded. The engraving for the numbers on the reverse looks period. Everything looks good regarding this star as far as I can tell. This could very well be an authentic pre-1892 Samuel Friedeberg und S?hne, Berlin star. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Sandro: If not mistaken (which I sometimes am), I believe that I see the mark "S. F. S." stamped on the reverse center. I don't recall which firm this is, and I am at my office w/o my reference books. Does anyone recall who this maker is? The center parts appear to be possibly gilded-silver (or bronze) and not gold. If so, this would make the star probably a post-1916 piece. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello folks: Thanks to Dave Danner and Google Book Search! I found Geneological information for my fellow. The "Neues Allgemeines Deutsches Adels-Lexicon, Band I" (1859) lists "Freih. Thilo, geb. 1821, herz. sachsen-altenb. Premieurlieutenant". This is undoubtedly the fellow in the photograph (CDV). It is interesting that he is listed as "Thilo", as his signature looks like "Tilo". Take a look at Dave Danner's links to Google Book Search. The is a wealth of information available! I will be able to research a great many items that have been laying around. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Andy: Congratulations on acquiring this nice original grouping of items. I see no problems with any of it. I do not know the exact criteria for the "Kriegsverein Kreuz". My assumption is that just about any veteran who could prove that they were in the service in WWI could apply for one of these, pay the required fee, and be granted membership. There were a great number of these types of "awards" after WWI. Some veterans had groups that only had these types of items, while others did not bother to apply for the unofficial veteran's society pieces. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Jacky: Squinting to see, it looks like a Hohenlohe House and Knight's Order of the Phoenix! Interesting?????? Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Rod: Congratulations regarding your acquisitions! No shamrocks here! These are Rue leaves. You will find them on a few Saxon Orders. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Laurence: Is there anyone (the museum?) who has access to the original telex in German? If so, could it be posted? Where did the "translated" information come from? If the original German text can't be found, then the AWARD portion of the story is unfounded (I will have to side with Rick on this one). This of course in no way detracts from the significance of the brave deed performed by Cochrane. The fact that he received ANY recognition at all from the government of his enemy as a POW is extraordinary. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Laurence: A rather amazing story. The era of these gentlemen soldiers was a fascinating one to be sure. One interesting thing to note is that the award shown is a Bavarian Military Merit Order, Merit Cross 3rd class with crown and swords! This was an award that usually went to higher ranking NCO's. The Bavarians certainly thought a lot of Cochrane and his brave deed to grant him this award. It must have had to have been authorized by none other than the King himself. I'm sure that a great many Bavarian soldiers must have been a bit envious of Cochrane's award. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Motorhead: No worries here! It looks like a very nice piece with a cast iron wreath and a silver-plated "kriegsmetal" center. I love these badges. A soldier had to be in the "thick of it" to get one of these. These really were the Hessian equivalent of the EKI. Best regards, "SPM"

I found this old thing laying about! "SPM"

Hello Brian: Well, the good news is that they are all genuine pieces of period manufacture. The "bad" news is that none of them are official awards by a German State. The first piece is an "Ehrenlegion" (Honor Legion) medal and is a post WWI veteran's organization piece, but is sometimes found in mounted groups. The second piece is a commemorative medal of the German 9th Army Corps (also a post-WWI veteran's organization piece sometimes found in mounted groups). The third piece looks like a Prussian IR 8 commemorative medal. The others appear to be lesser-quality veteran's organization pieces. The ribbons for all as noted are probably not correct. Don't pay a lot for these as they are not uncommon. They are however interesting collectibles. Good luck with your possible acquisitions! "SPM"

Les: Congratulations, an excellent analysis of this piece! Your mention of Cejalvo brings back a memory of passing by their shop window in Madrid about ten years ago. I marvelled at the superb quality of the pieces that they had displayed. It is frightening to think of what they can make! I seem to recall an excellent Maria Theresa Order badge in gold in the window. Unfortunately, they were closed for the afternoon "siesta" when I was there and I never got to return. I hate to frighten everyone, but Cejalvo is not the only jeweler that can make items of this quality. I have seen top-notch RAO copies in gold that have shown-up in Europe within the last few years. This hobby is getting more dangerous all of the time! Caveat emptor! "SPM"

A bit closer. Note the differences in the sword hilt designs.

Hello all: Sorry for the poor quality of the image, but you get the idea. Best regards, "SPM"