Bulgaria - Soldiers' Cross for Bravery

[Riley1965]

A fellow collector here in Dallas told me that these are Bulgarian. I don't know what they are. Any help is appreciated.

Doc

[Guest Rick Research]

That ugly little lump of Icky is the Soldiers' Cross for Bravery: 2nd class on a plain ribbon as here, or 1st Class with a "bow-tie" of swallow tailed ribbon across it horizontally. The ribbons are pale, plae blue-- this one has faded away to white. That is the generic war ribbon for most wartime awards.

This would be the equivalent of a German WW2 German Cross in Gold.

They are patterned directly after the imperial Russian Crosses of Saint George:

1st Class (this cross and "bow-tie")

2nd Class (no bow-tie)

3rd Class (silvered ugly little lump of Icky with bow-tie)

4th Class (no bow-tie)

Hard to reconcile something MEANT to be so significant being such gum-ball-machine-prize looking.

Not highly valued, because they are just so unbearably AWFUL looking.

[Paul R]

Any clues to the number awarded?

[Riley1965]

Many Thanks Rick!!! I also have the silver and Bronze crosses. I got them for very little.

Doc

[Guest Rick Research]

There were "gold" and "silver" but no bronzes... ?

[Riley1965]

Rick,

Here's the one I'm talking about.

Doc

[Riley1965]

and the obverse

Edited October 8, 2007 by Riley1965

[Guest Rick Research]

That's another 1st/2nd Class.

They really are awful looking little squeezed-out base metal things.

[Riley1965]

Thanks Rick!!! I really appreciate your help This is a lesson learned...Be careful when purchasing outside of your area of expertise

Doc

[Guest Rick Research]

Just realized I have a size-comparative scan showing a 4th Class

[Riley1965]

Rick,

Thanks for the pic!! What is the last ribbon for?

Doc

[Guest Rick Research]

Georgian Order of Saint/Queen Tamara-- which had a ribbon bar ribbon but as a pinback, was not worn there.

[speedytop]

Hi,

that is the 1st class:

Regards

Uwe

[new world]

Doc,

I would keep them, especially if you paid little for these crosses.

It's not about the looks, it's more about the heroic deeds they represent. After all, these were given only for the battle merit for guys in the trenches.

William

[Riley1965]

Doc,

I would keep them, especially if you paid little for these crosses.

It's not about the looks, it's more about the heroic deeds they represent. After all, these were given only for the battle merit for guys in the trenches.

William

William,

I do plan on keeping them. They will have a good home. I agree with you about the deeds-vs-looks.

Doc

[Riley1965]

Hi,

that is the 1st class:

Regards

Uwe

Uwe,

Thanks for posting the Ist Class version!! That's an unique style of bow.

Doc

[speedytop]

Hi,

let us have a look on the other versions from 1879 and 1941.

First the 4th class 1879:

[speedytop]

Second the 4th class 1941:

It is in better quality.

Regards

Uwe

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo Gents,

Here are my two, and beauty is defiantly in the eye of the beholder!!

Kevin in Deva.

[Kev in Deva]

The rear:

Kevin in Deva.

[Riley1965]

Gentlemen,

Thank You for the education!!! This is an odd little medal for bravery. I wonder how the recipients felt when they first saw it.

Doc