j-sk

They are indeed. Unfortunately I do not know much (actually nothing) about the original owner. Cheers, Jean-Sam.

Regarding literature, is there any reliable and comprehensive book or work edited in either English, French, German or Italian on Imperial Chinese orders and medals? Cheers, Jean-Sam.

Post scriptum: I guess these medals are now hard to find. What would they cost on today's medal market...? Jean-Sam.

Thanks to you all, Gentlemen, for your precious help and valuable informations ! All the best, Jean-Sam.

Good evening Genlemen, Does anybody have detailed informations about the following Chinese medals? What are they worth? Were they attributed to military personnel only or to civil servants as well? On what occasions? Thank you in advance for your answers. Cheers, Jean-Sam.

A beautiful bar indeed ! Wouldn't it be wise to replace the missing "Bewährungsabzeichen" with a matching one on the ribbon of the "Ehrendenkmünze des Weltkrieges" (both holes where the original Bewährungsabzeichen was fixed are still visible)? This kind of insignia is quite easy to get. Regards, Jean-Sam.

Now that we are dealing with the Kaiserliche Marine, I have bought some times ago the following "Treu der Marine " commemorative cross (incidently the ribbon clasp was sold unmounted with a "Treu dem Regiment" cross and a different ribbon [i.e.: not a plain blue one]...!). Does anyone know what unit / ship / submarine / naval station / whatever it may be ... this "20/11 J.R. LINDAU" ribbon clasp refers to? Regards, Jean-Sam.

I thought about it. But I expected this (supposedly) sailor to wear at least one Austro-Hungarian medal in his group......??? Still, whether he was German or Austrian, the part of mystery behind this group makes his history the more interesting...... especially the quest for more information.

Here is an interesting link about SMS MARS: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMS_Mars_(1877) It looks like she was too old to actually take an active part in WW1.

An interesting photo of a mixed official and unofficial Weimar grouping seen on the Internet recently. See the unofficial medal (reverse) placed right after the EK2 and before two official long service crosses (officers' 25 years and NCO's 15 years) which in turn precede the Order of the Crown medal. Everything seemed possible between 1919 and 1933...

"Post tenebras lux." Many thanks. Jean-Sam

Thank you Nick for this most valuable explanation. Cheers, Jean-Sam.

Hello Gentlemen, I have recently seen for sale a breast star described by the seller as, I quote: "China unidentified original order decoration star officially numbered" (see the pictures below). It looks more like a Japanese star to me since its sports typical Japanese symbols such as the Chrysanthemum, Paulonia and Sakura in its midst. Does anyone know whom this type of star was attributed to, on which occasion and for what deed? Is it original as stated or a mere fake? Thanks for letting me know. Jean-Sam.

I have recently seen the following Weimar era unofficial WW1 Veterans' cross for sale (Deutsches Feld-Ehrenkreuz 1914-1918). Does anyone know which Veteran Association this cross refers to and what ribbon was it hanging from? Any info will be most welcome. Thank you in advance. Jean-Sam.

How right you are. Let's hope this thread will be of any help to other people. Best regards, Jean-Sam.

In the mean-time I found some down-to-the-point sources dealing with this highly interesting subject (one in particular diplaying the same model as mine [http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/1860-cavalry-saber.html]): http://www.swordforum.com/forums/showthread.php?88798-Ames-1862-Saber http://www.angelfire.com/wa/swordcollector/marks/page1.html The good point in this "affair" is that I brought the sword and belt back to the seller who did not make any fuss about it... Only apologies about his incompetence in this domain and for his failure to spot a reproduction although being an antique dealer by trade. A Gentleman after all.... and he still counts among my friends... Another indisputable motto: "One learns through mitakes!" Jean-Sam.

Hello Brian, I have tried your "bend test". I applied sufficient pressure to the blade to bend it to a 50/60 degree angle and...... it came back to its original postion..... Was the pressure sufficient ? If so, it would seem that the sword is a very good quality repro...

Thank you all Gentlemen for your valuable informations and expertise. The final conclusion of this thread is: "In doubt, don't!" Jean-Sam.

In the mean-time, while "inspecting" the sword, I have found another marking (AFK) on the reinforcement at the bottom of the scabbard. Would it be clue...? Wheras for the buckle, it might look stained from the picture, but it's probably due to the fact that the former owners used some king of brasso to clean it (hence the obnoxious traces on it).

Actually I have some British army Victorian spiked helmets (cavalry and infantry) and the leather sweatbands are still very supple. And what about the CSA belt clasp? Do you consider it as original?

Do you know who could apply for this medal or what were the criteria for attribution? Was it distributed on a "one-per-regiment" base...?

Hello Brian, Thank you for your comment. Let's see what other people may say about it. Jean-Sam.

And now for something completely different... the belt...

More pictures of the sword.

Hello Gentlemen, A few days ago, a friend of mine sold to me what I think is a US Cavalry sword hanging from a "Gentleman of the South" CSA belt...?!?!?!? Regarding the sword, I have found a few markings on the blade ("U.S. /AFK / 1862" on one side and "AMES MFGCO / CHICOPEE / MASS." on the other side) and a number (2172) on the guard. Does anybody know more about this weapon (pattern, manufacturer, etc.)? Regarding the supposedly CSA belt, is it posssible to get a precise idea about it from the following pictures? Thank you in advance for your valuable informations. Jean-Sam.