Hauptmann

KGB 20 year:

But these were the ones I was really after. KGB 10 year:

Just picked up three Soviet Irreproachable Service medals for $5 each:

This one just a standard 15 year army I believe:

Dean, as always a beautiful bar! Here's a bit of info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Medjidie

I'm supposed to be part Turkish... although just a bit. Would have loved to have gotten some of their ODM's but seems not only with those but also in one of my other areas of interest, pocket watches, anything from the Ottoman Empire has gone up, up, up in price and I've basically been priced out, at least for the foreseeable future.

Great addition to your collection!

Dan

Oberst d.R. Wolfram Kertz, wearing the even less commonly seen miniature Ordenspange.

Definitely a great addition here! Just love what I'm seeing. Thanks so much for sharing and please keep em' coming!

Dan

Given the political and social realities of West Germany, there probably weren't alot of opportunities for German officers to wear full-size medals. Heck, I don't think I ever wore full-size medals except at a Presidential inauguration. In the picture, Graf von Kielmansegg is wearing his at his retirement ceremony.

It's a shame as, like most if not all soldiers they were proud of their awards and the service and sacrifices they represented, albeit in this instance not the regime or the crimes they committed.

Dan

Dave... great additions to the thread. Good to see that it's starting to grow. Many thanks for contributing these! Love that he's wearing the medal bar as opposed to just the ribbons. Seems so many of the WW2 vets decided to go with just the ribbons the vast majority of the time during their service in the Bundeswehr/Bundesmarine/Luftwaffe with just a very few wearing the actual 57 awards. So great to see pics like this whenever possible.

Dan

hauptmann, here are a few. Not very good. Cheers Captain Albert

Hey, I think they're terrific! And a great start to the thread to boot! Many thanks Capt'n!

Oh, if you have any info on the pics... say the name of the pictured individual please add it as every little bit of info helps.

Okay, we've got a start... let's keep em' coming!

Dan

Here's a thought. If anyone has pics of members of the West German armed forces who served in WW2 and are wearing their 57 awards, even ribbon bars with devices, etc., and especially any that are shown wearing "denazified" original TR awards they would be a valuable addition. We often see the awards but only occasionally see them in wear and even then usually in ribbon bar form. But I think this would be a good reference source if we can gather enough photos. Hey, even if you know of a video you can post or post a link too that shows them being worn... go for it!

Dan

Come on guys and gals... someone MUST have something new to show off in this category? Either 57's or Bundeswehr. Don't be shy... jump in... show off your treasures! Or even if you've come up with some info that might be valuable to the rest of the community... come on by and start a thread or pop in and give a jump start to an old one.

Would really love to see some activity here. Only wish I had something new but I'm always on the lookout and soon as I come up with anything it'll be added to a thread or used to start a new one.

Let's get things humming!

Dan

Dan

Thanks so much to all who have commented.

Here are a couple shots of the reverse of the awards on the bar:

Hi,

A very nice bar. Thanks for letting us see it.

Regards,

Sam

Many thanks Sam! It's my pleasure.

Dan

Terrific group Chris... and great research! A shame the Hauptmann died but seems they did all they could to save him. Hoping more turns up.

Great job!

Dan

Hoping to have a shot of the reverse of the awards soon. Will post soon as.

Dan

Here's the big bar... pics and the bar from "a very good friend".

You did very well on the mini, Dan. The ones from this maker are much scarcer than the Godet ones.

Many thanks! I really think it will make an awesome set once I get the rest of the pieces I want to display together.

Dan

I've finally managed to get into Imperial bars. I have one coming the beginning of next month. It's a two place bar... WW1 EK2 and Prussian Order of the Crown 4th Class without swords. Will try to post pics in a bit... am asking for permission from the current owner.

Just managed to add to the set... a lovely little buttonhole minature of the Crown Order. I think I did quite well on this one. Would love to hear comments/opinions, etc.

I'm hoping to be able to do a nice cased display of the bar, the buttonhole ribbon, plus if I can (hopefully) locate either a miniature ribbon for my WW1 EK2 mini or a similar buttonhole with mini for it as well as a ribbon bar to match the medal bar.

Much as I love enamel I think I actually prefer the 4th Class of this Order as it's got just the right amount of enamel plus the gold on the rest of it... just a lovely piece.

Will add pics of the medal bar soon as I can.

Dan

Mervyn, many thanks for your help on this! Every little bit of info I can get is a jewel adding to my knowledge on these.

Dan

Nice find indeed.... I like all the titles at the top of the doc... I wonder if it is possible to research the guy in switzerland?

Thanks Chris! Re: the research that's what I'm wondering as well. Sure would be nice to put the history back with this one. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Dan

Dan,

Nice order and matching document. This has always been one of my favourites for design, quality of the enamel etc.

Regards,

Gordon

Many thanks Gordon! I agree... it's a beautiful Order and I'd always regretted having to let the ones I had go years ago especially as most were cased. But I got a great trade on them, and one of the items I got was my 1870 2nd class EK so I'm very happy with what I received in exchange, that most of all.

Dan

Beautiful !!

Order and the document are in perfect conditions. Congratulations.

These were given to a Swiss citizen awarded with a Cavaliere degree (lowest degree of this order).

Regards

Daniele

Many thanks Daniele! Once you said it was to a Swiss citizen I looked at it and as shown in post 7 in closeup I can now see that's what it says. I don't speak Italian but now realize that's what it said. Deeply appreciate the help on this.

Out of curiosity, is there any way to research this for more info? I believe they were still making awards to catch up long after the war, if they're not still at it... I believe the only nation to do this, at least in any quantity. So no idea if they perhaps have kept any records as to what was awarded to who for what.

Also, any ideas on the signatures/titles, etc., of the others who signed the document? When I checked around on the web I saw a few examples where they were signed by Mussolini (although assuming it was using something like autopen or something similar and not original signatures... although, again I full well admit my knowledge on these has a long way to go. I know Mussolini did sign a ton of documents, etc., so guessing it's possible they were original signatures.

I'm eager to learn as much as I can on these, and this award in particular as it is currently my only example. Plus I love to get back as much history to these awards as possible.

Dan

The document measures 15" x 11".

Will keep my fingers crossed that someone can provide more info on this set.

Many thanks!

Dan