pluribus Posted July 16, 2007 Posted July 16, 2007 (edited) Dear Gentlemen, I am starting a new topic which is dedicated to Estonian orders, decorations and medals from 1920-1940. All the Estonian decorations are rare, I do not hesitate to say even extremely rare. The most awarded of Estonian orders is Cross of Liberation War II class 3 grade, which was awarded in 2250 ex. Other orders were awarded in 0-987 ex. Notable amount of Estonian ODM was abducted and destroyed by Soviet regime during the Soviet Russian occupation. Allmost all the high-ranking military (and President(died in prison in Russia and inhumed as unknown oldie with no cross on the grave) + most of the Government officials) were killed in Soviet concentration camps and their awards got stolen. Therefore all awards you can see here are small in number remained witnesses of our history.pluribus Edited July 16, 2007 by pluribus
pluribus Posted July 16, 2007 Author Posted July 16, 2007 (edited) A Star of the Order of the Estonian Red Cross. At first Estonian Order of the Red Cross existed as non-governmental civilian order but The Law on Decorations from Oct., 7th, 1936 converted it to the Governmental decoration in 5 classes + 3 medal classes. A star was awarded 193 ex. in the period 1920-1940 The construction of the star is quite sophisticated. The rays are separate parts. Edited July 16, 2007 by pluribus
pluribus Posted July 16, 2007 Author Posted July 16, 2007 A neck badge to the Order of the Red Cross. Awarded 691 ex. in 1920-40.
pluribus Posted July 17, 2007 Author Posted July 17, 2007 Fifth class of the Order of the Estonian Red Cross in original case. Mastermarked Roman Tavast. The style of the ribbon shows that this is a 1936-1940 issue. 692 ex. were awarded.
pluribus Posted July 17, 2007 Author Posted July 17, 2007 Before 1936 (when the decoration was converted to the Governmental decoration) it was the Commemorative Decoration of the Estonian Red Cross. This type of ribbon shows that this is II grade II step badge awarded 1926-1936 682 ex.
pluribus Posted July 17, 2007 Author Posted July 17, 2007 Document to the Order of the Red Cross 5th class. Signed by Prime minister K. Eenpalu and major-general J. Orasmaa.
pluribus Posted July 17, 2007 Author Posted July 17, 2007 Original case to the document of the Order of the Red Cross.
Peter J Posted July 17, 2007 Posted July 17, 2007 Pluribus, outstanding decorations . I have a couple to add to this thread. First off the Home Guard Cross (please correct me if I'm mistaken).cheersPeter
Peter J Posted July 17, 2007 Posted July 17, 2007 The Order of the Cross of the Eagle. To bad the correct suspension loop is missing, but I have the correct ribbon for Commander.
Peter J Posted July 17, 2007 Posted July 17, 2007 The miniature of the Order of the White Star. The ribbon is not correct, should be in light red moire.
Peter J Posted July 17, 2007 Posted July 17, 2007 Finally a suspect half-size of the Cross of Liberty (28.5x23.5mm). I assume this is a post-war piece.
pluribus Posted July 18, 2007 Author Posted July 18, 2007 Hello Peter, You have some fine medals in your collection. The first one is 3 class Cross of Defence League (Home Guard was another organization). It was awarded ca 5000 ex. in 1930-1940. As much as I know I and II classes were never awarded in pre-WW II period. Here is mine in case, marked Roman Tavast.pluribus
pluribus Posted July 18, 2007 Author Posted July 18, 2007 (edited) A closer scan of the cross.pluribus Edited July 18, 2007 by pluribus
pluribus Posted July 18, 2007 Author Posted July 18, 2007 Finally a suspect half-size of the Cross of Liberty (28.5x23.5mm). I assume this is a post-war piece. As regards the mini Cross of Liberty I class, I have similar II class mini which is post-war piece.
pluribus Posted July 18, 2007 Author Posted July 18, 2007 A button-hole rosette of the Order of the Red Cross.
pluribus Posted July 18, 2007 Author Posted July 18, 2007 A Bronze medal of the Order of the Red Cross. 46 ex. awarded in 1936-1940.
pluribus Posted July 18, 2007 Author Posted July 18, 2007 Silver Medal of the Order of the Red Cross , cased. 112 ex. awarded in 1936-1940.
pluribus Posted July 18, 2007 Author Posted July 18, 2007 A Gold Medal of the Order of Red Cross. 135 ex. awarded in 1936-1940.
pluribus Posted July 18, 2007 Author Posted July 18, 2007 (edited) On left- the first Red Cross medal. It was issued in 1920-25 in one class. After that the Red Cross decoration obtained the structure of an ordinary orden. On the right- the III class of the 1925-1936 Red Cross decoration. A total number of awardings with these two types was 507 ex. Edited July 18, 2007 by pluribus
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