Imperial Fechter-Abzeichen

[Troy Tempest]

Does anybody know anything about this award at all? Tombak, "HCH. Timm, Berlin C 19", c1910

[Tom Y]

It's a fencing club pin. Don't remember the details, but I'm sure another member can fill you in.

[militaria0815]

It's a fencing club pin. Don't remember the details, but I'm sure another member can fill you in.

The word "fechten" in this case does not mean "to fence", it is "to beg".

The award was given from the "Deutsche Krieger-Fechtanstalt" which was kind of a welfare/charity organization.

Edited August 15, 2007 by militaria0815

[Troy Tempest]

Thank you Tom and militaria! Militaria, do you think it was given to someone for their charity work?

[militaria0815]

Thank you Tom and militaria! Militaria, do you think it was given to someone for their charity work?

There was an article in a miltaria journal some time ago, as soon i will find out, I will provide you w more information.

[Troy Tempest]

Okay, thanks, that's very good of you.

[--dj--Joe]

Earlier thread on award in question.

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=9230&hl=fencing

--dj--Joe

Edited August 15, 2007 by --dj--Joe

[militaria0815]

Yours is the badge for the "rank" of Oberfechtmeister and it is the 2nd lowest of 9 different awards. The "rank" Oberfechtmeister (and the silver cross) was awarded for a total of 50 Reichsmark which had been collected. The highest medal was awarded for a total collected sum of money of 100.000 Reichsmark or more!

The Krieger-Fechtanstalt was found in 1884, the money went to orphanages where children of KIA soldiers lived.

[Troy Tempest]

Thanks for that link Joe, and thanks for that info Militaria! GMIC brain trust comes through again!

[--dj--Joe]

What is the device or emblem the hands are clasped through? Please.

--dj--Joe

Edited August 25, 2007 by --dj--Joe

[--dj--Joe]

Could they be money bags?

--dj--Joe

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo --dj--Joe

Not wanting to wander to far off the subject in question,I am still inclined to think this item has connections with the Freemasons, the handshake symbol appears on many French medals and badges attributed to Charity work carried out by the Freemasons in France. The symbol pictured below, I understand is more often encounted when thinking of the Freemasons, this one's on a building in Kempten in the Allg?u region of Bavaria.

Perhaps some of our French / German members could shed some light onto this insignia with the handshake??

Kevin in Deva.

Edited September 30, 2007 by Kev in Deva