Schießplatzmeister

Hello again: Again these are also not "researchable" as to specific recipients. Best regards

Hello: If you mean by "research" that the name of the specific individuals who were awarded these awards can be found without other supporting documentation, the answer is "no". Based upon the awards present however, other types of information can be guessed (ie.:type of unit, possible rank of recipient, etc.). Best regards

Hello: This is definately a Friedrichsorden with swords. It is a 2nd Class in my opinion. The third award is probably a Württemberg Landwehr DA 2. Klasse. So, your fellow is a Württemberg reserve Officer. A very nice photo! Congratulations.

Hello Timo: There are two (2) available at eMedals for US$240 and US$275 currently. You may be able to find one for US$75-US$150 if you are patient and willing to wait awhile. Ebay.de would be a good place to buy one. Best regards

Hello Jason: I hope that everything has dried out a bit now in your area and that all is well. The first award is a Prussian "Militär-Ehrenzeichen 1. Klasse" (Military Honor Award 1st Class). I believe that it is the proper award on this group most likely. A very rare group to a colonial soldier or marine! Thank you for sharing this item with us. Best regards

Hello: Klietmann and Scharfenberg do not list any award totals in their expert works regarding the awards of Anhalt. It therefore seems that the answer is unknown. There could not have been many awards in any case. Best regards

Hello again Mike: I must add that the swords on this piece appear to be cast and not die-struck (without direct inspection however there is no way to be 100% certain). These swords are definately NOT integral to the cross body. On original pieces, they were added to the cross body by the utilization of threaded screw posts. On this piece, they may be screwed in place, but this is unlikely. On the identical piece that I owned they were definately soldered into place. Best regards

Hello: Common sense has been utilized. As stated by Markus, this piece does not conform to known originals by Wagner or Godet. It therefore falls into the "not an awarded piece" category. This therefore leaves open the possibility that it could have been made very recently or relatively long ago. It also leaves open the possibility that it was sold as a replacement piece to a recipient, or that it is a modern forgery meant to deceive collectors. Without more evidence, one cannot be certain. I have owned an identical piece to this one. The piece that I owned came from a old collection which contained original period pieces. The quality of workmanship of the piece was sub-standard compared to a Wagner piece. The asterisk marking on the ring leads me to believe that the piece is a 1920's or later copy and that it is possibly of Austrian manufacture. So, I belive the piece to not be modern, and that it was possibly made to be sold as a replacement (for an actual recipient). However, there is no way to be 100% certain of this. Copies made for the collector's market have been around for a long time. Best regards

Hello Thierry: I believe that the combination could be possible. However, this looks to be a modern-made cast forgery from what I can see in the photographs. Best regards

Hello: The ribbon in the middle belongs to a Bavarian 1866 Campaign Cross. This is a rather common group. A perfect and complete example of this group with these awards can probably be found in Germany for the same amount that you will have to pay for the individual awards during the restoration process. Best regards

Hello: An interesting topic indeed. If is often forgotten also that Hussar's uniforms had no buttonholes (only loops for the toggle buttons). Therefore on finds EKII crosses on bow-type ribbons (for Hussars) although there were no female recipients of this award 1914-1918. I have seen photos which confirm this. Best regards

Dear Palencia: You have made an excellent point. It does seem that collectors prefer the lure of enamel. I believe that a possible explanation is that newer collectors are drawn to what looks nicer and that therefore a higher value is placed upon such items by dealers as they are more sought after. Rarity is sadly sometimes not a factor which determines the value of an object. Look at the 1914 EKII collector's market. Now such items are collected by maker with pieces by certain makers bringing premium prices. With MILLIONS of awards, I don't understand it. I remember being able to buy all of the 1914 EKII's that I wanted for US$15 each. This of course was awhile ago, but to me, (in my mind anyway) they are ALL still worth this amount! I will always be able to find one whenever I need one. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello: Naxos is correct. It is without a doubt a SEHO Knight 1st or 2nd Class with Swords. Best regards, "SPM"

Dear Chris: Thank you for posting a photo of this item. Narrow ribbon ARE possible on genuine groups (especially if an Officer received many awards it allowed for easier mounting). In my opinion, from what I see, this group is recently assembled. There are many problems with the combination of awards on this bar and the order in which they appear. You should not purchase it at any price in my opinion. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Chris: The "usual" for a silver MVM/TKM recipient was: Silver MVM/TKM; MVK III w/ Swords; and an EKII. A wound badge either black or silver and a nine (9) year service medal were not uncommon in addition to the above. However, since this is a "trick" question. It was of course possible to only receive the silver MVM/TKM and nothing else. Or, as stated the MVM/TKM + EKII only. Or, the MVM/TKM + MVK III w/ Swords only. Please show us what you have. "SPM"

Hello again Jay: You are correct, technically the "Kaisersschlacht" continue into July (MY mistake). In reality, during Operation Michael, starting on March 21, 1918, significant gains were made initially, but once the momentum stopped a few hours/days later (depending on the location on the front), all hope of victory was inevitably lost for Germany. I believe that the Ardennes Offensive in WWII was a tactical parallel. It sounds like your display piece will be very nice when you are finished with it. Congratulations. "SPM"

Hello again Jay: I believe that the "Kaiser's Battle" was long over by April 30, 1918. I believe that the date should read 30. März 1918 if he actually fell during the Kaisersschlacht. Or, perhaps he died later of wounds received during the "Kaiser's Battle". If you post a scan of the SB (death card) there are plenty of folks here that can help you determine what the meaning is. What awards came with the grouping? "SPM"

Hello Jay: The word in German for fallen in battle is "Gefallen". "Heldentod fürs Vaterland" ("Died bravely for the Fatherland") was often used during WWI as were various other phrases. Here are two links to the German War Graves Commission equivalent: http://www.volksbund.de/kurzprofil/homepage_en.asp http://www.volksbund.de/kurzprofil/homepage.asp Good luck with your quest. "SPM"

Hello: Most WWI veterans groups seen with long-service awards were for NCO's who started serving before 1914, as most 1914-1918 volunteers/conscripted soldiers never had enough service time to qualify for a long-service award. It was however possible to be a long-serving enlisted man who never received a promotion due to various reasons and receive a long-service award as noted above. I believe that the Prussian long-service awards were actually not often given out during the war, but were usually physically awarded after November 1918. Best regards

Here is the link to their shop on-line: http://www.wkc-solingen.de/newshop/index.html Best regards, "SPM"

Dear Lorenzo: This is a very interesting sword. I am certain that WKC can help you regarding the missing parts. They have a shop on-line. They might even be able to tell you when they had the contract for this sword. Stay safe and have a good tour. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Naxos: I believe that you are 100% correct! I was looking at the name as "Roth" as the only possibility as that was what was listed by Misiu. I did not even consider Johann Peter Röth who IS listed in the Zelosko series. Johann Peter Röth makes perfect sense. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello Naxos: I missed this recipient as I didn't see him listed in the Zelosko series. Best regards, "SPM"

Hello militaria0815: Wow! What a fantastic group! Congratulations! MfG, "SPM"