3-Place Medal Bar Questions

[Scott]

A friend of mine picked up this 3-place bar as part of a local estate sale; apparantly this was a US military vet bring-back. I know the first medal is the Prussian War Service Cross, but can anyone assist with the name/origin of the other two?

Thanks in advance.

Scott

[Scott]

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[Scott]

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Edited March 29, 2007 by Scott

[joemiller]

Both of these are from the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt. The middle medal is the War Honor Decoration to be given for merit that did not warrant a General Honor Decoration for Bravery or a Military Sanitary Cross (if the recipient was a man). The cross is the Silver Merit Cross with swords of the Order of Phillip the Magnanimous. A very nice bar in excellent condition. Congratulations.

[Scott]

Thanks Joe!

[Stogieman]

I think this is actually a Frack Bar. The Phillip would be first in precedence.

[Claudio]

Hi Scott,

I'd like to add that the Silver Merit Cross with swords of the Order of Phillip the Magnanimous is quite rare and in excellent conditions.

Ciao,

Claudio

[Scott]

Thank you gentlemen! I'll let the owner know - he'll be pleased.

Kind regards.

Scott

[Ulsterman]

wow-that is a super bar.

[Claudius]

wow-that is a super bar.

Outstanding Bar!

[Guest Rick Research]

An EXTREMELY nice bar, in immaculate condition.

The Philip was an odd Order-- back in the 19th century, swords were routinely given to all military recipients even in peacetime. But that is clearly a World War one. From the combination, to some sort of military official, I would venture. And if the award rolls for that ever turn up, perhaps possible to identify since that was normally a third or fourth up award for Hessians, and this guy didn't get an Iron Cross or the normal General Decoration-- making this all the more extraordinary for the lower possible awards it skipped right over.

A superb bar.

[Scott]

Thanks for the additional background info Rick! BTW, the current owner plans to keep this bar for a while...

Scott