Steve K.

Beautiful bar Seeheld. The first 1866 Meck. MVK that I've seen mounted. Too bad for the missing medal at position 1, but it does not distract from the bar's beauty! Can you tell if the Meck. MVK is cast or die struck? Steve

Don't tell my wife..... I think I've seen the upside down FF2....one of those weird anomalies that was certainly induced by imbibing the concoction of water, malt, hops and yeast (aka: the great elixir of life!).

@dond, I agree. @Gerd, I wish I had more medal bars to show but that's all I have, except for a few single pieces scattered around my study. I do have a nice, unmounted Mecklenburg Knight's Cross of the Wendish Crown Order. But that sits in its own special case! The Imperial Air gunner badges (prussian or bavarian ) are my favorite. Real ones are just so hard to find. I will put those I have up for discussion when the time comes!

Tom, I agree with JTW, unfortunately all are non-originals. Steve

@Seeheld, Exceptionally nice Mecklenburg Collection!!

Thanks fellas....... As you can see, Mecklenburg is the preferred flavor (Rick spotted my favorite Strelitzer gem!)...but actually any of the northern German states will do! Ulsterman, the medal is Meck.-Schwerin Civil Service Medal (3 grades..gold, silver and bronze), one of the few Imperial medals worn at the neck, given to scientist/engineer/civil types. The Meck.-Schwerin 1870 bar is my 'holy grail' piece.

Last 2 pics.

After over 5 years of collecting Imperial German items, here is my collection (minus a few flight badges on loan). Naturally, I want to thank Stogieman for helping me find some of my treasures. The majority of the items are unattributed and untraceable....hopefully the next piece added will have a name or documented lineage. Thanks for looking!!

It is so hard to tell from the Thies pics, but if Seeheld is correct, I can tell you, I've only seen approx. 1 out of every 10 mounted FF2s in this version. Please let us know when you receive it.

IF anyone could.....it's you!

Nice birds and great photography!

Q-tips, either dry or slightly moistened with water works best for me. What doesn't come off easily, stays. I just cleaned a leather holster this a.m. from a Vietnam vet. The coppered rivits holding the leather together get verdigris bad....almost a miniature forest on each rivit. It cleaned up nicely. Now just gotta keep it dry.

Can I get this in the PO flavor, puleeeze?

Also, wood (as in wood handled bayonets and scabbards or briar wood of pipes) need oils to stay 'healthy' and not crack, just like Ralph A mentions for leather. Sometimes the oils from your skin is enough but also a tiny amount of boiled linseed oil can help.

Dan Nice cut-out badge!! And a great collection of Naval Wound badges! Good information too on the fakes. Steve

Feet are missing, wing details (e.g. lines) are not uniform, flag details are missing, and details of the conning tower are missing, also the propellar is not formed correctly......this badge is a mess but these details can be easily overlooked....I imagine if I send it back, the dealer will just pass it off to the next unsuspecting collector .

I would agree with Rick R. on these. I have never seen one that I trusted...and I doubt in my lifetime I ever will....so, I just walk by them (after a cursory glance). Steve

After comparisons to some of Gordon's, I'm convinced that this is NOT original. What is disturbing to me is the source. Thanks, Steve

more detail...

Hello I need opinions on this silver combat clasp since it has bothered me for years now without resolution (in my mind). The pin seems unusual to me, as well as the odd wear pattern to the front. One side is yellowed and scuffed...the other is clean and bright. Thanks for any opinions! Cheers, Steve

Hello Jan, It is one of the better castings, but none-the-less a reproduction! Hard to say when it was made for sure, but I think it may be an early reproduction (late 40s to early 50s). Cheers, Steve

There was no collusion....just friendly banter.

Paul, I'm glad we talked and we weren't competitors for it, or it may have gone for alittle more! Glad you got it! Cheers, Steve

"I bet you would make the local papers." Then I'll be sure to mention your name too, since I probably would have never found them without your help! Hey, isn't the motto in the four courners "One for All, All for One"......hmmmmm, where have I heard that before?

Michel Stunning Bordjacke!! There was a recent discovery of 2 leather rain deck jackets and a U-bord jacket similar to the one just above. They sold at a country auction near me (Amish country PA, USA) for only 300 USD each. I was the second bidder and lost out!! I nearly cried.... Cheers, Steve