Order of the Red Eagle

[Carol I]

I have seen this badge in the window of a dealer and out of curiosity I would be interested in finding out more information about it. What class is it? Is it authentic? Approximately how much is it worth? Thanks.

Obverse

[Carol I]

Reverse

[Carol I]

Detail (obverse)

[Carol I]

Detail (reverse)

[Carol I]

Marking on the bottom arm of the cross

[VtwinVince]

It's a Komturkreuz, second class with swords by Wagner. As to authenticity, I couldn't say, but it looks nice. I don't know values, but I do know that these are scarce with swords.

[Carol I]

Thanks VtwinVince for the reply. Is it normal to have the badge of the Red Eagle with this ribbon? I thought the normal ribbon was white with two red stripes. Was this black ribbon with white stripes some sort of a war ribbon or a bravery ribbon?

[Schießplatzmeister]

Hello Carol I:

This is the correct type of ribbon (black with white stripes) for an award with swords. As this award was only for Military Officers, it was awarded for a variety of reasons, but not usually for a single act of bravery.

Best regards,

"SPM"

[Dave Danner]

A Red Eagle 2nd Class with Swords would typically be awarded to a general officer for military merit or leadership, generally not in situations warranting the Pour le Merite. For example, not necessarily a single act of bravery or success in a particular battle, but excellence in leadership for one's command of a brigade or division.

[medalnet]

I would not want to buy this particular one as orignal Wagner piece.

[Carol I]

This is the correct type of ribbon (black with white stripes) for an award with swords. As this award was only for Military Officers, it was awarded for a variety of reasons, but not usually for a single act of bravery.

Nice to know that German orders could change ribbons. Were there many orders that could do this or was it only the Order of the Red Eagle?

[Carol I]

I would not want to buy this particular one as orignal Wagner piece.

OK, thanks.

[Dave Danner]

Nice to know that German orders could change ribbons. Were there many orders that could do this or was it only the Order of the Red Eagle?

It was common practice in many German states, as well as several other Central and Southern European states (Austria-Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, etc.) to have different ribbons, often called "war ribbons," when a decoration was awarded in wartime or for valor.

For Prussia, the "war ribbon" was usually the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2nd Class. The following could be awarded on this ribbon:

Order of the Red Eagle

Crown Order

Royal House Order of Hohenzollern

Military Merit Cross

Military Decoration 1st Class

Military Decoration 2nd Class

Warrior Merit Medal

and maybe some others that I'm forgetting.

For Austria-Hungary, the "war ribbon" was the ribbon of the Bravery Medal (the ribbon with the "laddered" red horizontal stripes), which could be used with, among others, the Franz-Joseph Order, the Military Merit Cross, the Merit Cross and the Signum Laudis.

In Romania, the ribbon of the Crucea Virtutea Militara was used for one or more other decorations.

For Bulgaria, the ribbon of the Military Order "For Bravery" was the war ribbon. The Order of Merit, certain classes of the National Order "For Military Merit" and the Merit Medals could be worn on this ribbon.

[Carol I]

Thanks Dave for the quick reply.

In Romania, the ribbon of the Crucea Virtutea Militara was used for one or more other decorations.

Both the cross and the medal had the same ribbon. In fact the cross was (and still is) the war version of the medal, not a different cross.

[Dave Danner]

Thanks Dave for the quick reply.

Both the cross and the medal had the same ribbon. In fact the cross was (and still is) the war version of the medal, not a different cross.

It was also used as a gallantry ribbon for the Order of the Star.

[Carol I]

It was also used as a gallantry ribbon for the Order of the Star.

As well as for the Order of the Crown.

[Carol I]

I would not want to buy this particular one as orignal Wagner piece.

Do you mean that this is not an original Wagner piece or not an original Red Eagle badge?

[medalnet]

Well, this here would be one example to figure out if a Wagner Red Eagle is a Wagner Red Eagle:

When comparing the eagle above and the one on your piece it becomes pretty obvious that there is a big difference between those two. Since they used stenciles in the old days the eagles always look exactly the same within a certain time period.

The eagle shown here is the original one. There are more images at: Eagle Design

[Carol I]

When comparing the eagle above and the one on your piece it becomes pretty obvious that there is a big difference between those two. Since they used stenciles in the old days the eagles always look exactly the same within a certain time period.

The eagle shown here is the original one. There are more images at: Eagle Design

There are indeed many differences between the two eagles. Thanks. On the other hand, I could not find a match with any of the eagles on the page mentioned.