Prussian order of the Crown 2nd class.

[Ed Maroli]

I just picked this up at the OVMS show in Wilmington, Ohio. 2nd type. Marked 938 and FR on bottom lower arm. The ring has and old repair. Would anyone know the award numbers for the Crown Order in all its grades?

Cheers, Ed

[Ed Maroli]

reverse

[Ed Maroli]

maker marks

[RAO]

Hi,

can you please also the weight in grams? Thanks + greeting Mike

[Ed Maroli]

32.8 grams without ribbon. The crown is loose and floats within the center medalion.

[Ed Maroli]

And I found its little bother

[Guest Rick Research]

The late Eric Ludvigsen did a statistical study of all Prussian decorations, with annual numbers awarded.

The last published figures ended in January 1913, by which point 8,974 of this 2nd model 2nd Class had been awarded. But most of those were probably the gold ones and not the later years' silver gilt like this one. Not sure exactly when that change occurred. Probably about 2,000 of these.

[Ed Maroli]

The disk was a little loose

[Ed Maroli]

And I have to operate

[Ed Maroli]

Thank you Rick.

The glob is the resin/glue?

[Ed Maroli]

some type of bone glue?

[RAO]

Hi Gents,

in the Preu?ischen Staatsanzeiger by 1917 - Nov.1918 less than 300 ceremonies. One original KRO2 Svg is very rare.

Best Regards Mike

[RAO]

I think the 4.Klasse is a piece without gold medallions also quite rare. ;o)

Best regards Mike

[Guest Rick Research]

Yes, about 350-400 a year seems to have been average for these up to 1913.

I have no idea what the substance is that was used to hold these Orders toggether, but any Order I've ever seen that fell apart has exactly thye same pertrified Mystery Substance in it.

However you repair it, don't use anything quote-unquote "permanent."

[RAO]

I think this is Schellack. Please look by google for that, my english is so verry bad. ;o( Mike

[Ed Maroli]

A friend of mine happen to has a similar piece with the loose medalions and all. It must be common with the 4th class. Bad design, too thin. Any pressure on the arms will transfer the force to the hollow center which in turns forces each end of the medalions to move apart. I'll most likely use a little elmers to tack it together. On the 2nd class the medalions are secure but both the crown and the cypher "float" and can rotate a little. Also the 4th class has no maker.

Thanks again. ~Ed

[VtwinVince]

Nice Halskreuz, Ed. I have it's twin from Wagner, hollow construction with real gold. I've always found the KO to be under-appreciated and rather attractive.

[Stogieman]

Friedlander is a bit obscure for a maker... very nice. Usually these show up by Wagner. Nice Cross, even with the repair.

Here's a Wagner in Silver-Gilt

[Stogieman]

Here's a gold one, unmarked, probably Wagner. I had many variations of this long-ago. Even had a cased 2.Kl. star!!

[Stogieman]

And just for the heck of it... here's The Second Class Star, with Swords.

[Stogieman]

One of the interesting thing about this Order is no matter what grade... the cyphered lid of the case was the only marking.

Note the pre-1900 "C"-Clasp closure on the last image.

[Stogieman]

And, just for giggles... here's a packing case that would have held everything when it left the jeweler:

[Stogieman]

Only one grade of this order broke with these "standards".... and that's this little gem in here:

[Stogieman]

Yep, The Medal to The Order. Simple, tiny blue case instead of black. No cypher on the lid.... almost like old Willy was embarrassed by this one?

[Lapa]

some type of bone glue?

Ed,

It might be some sort of wax from the look of it.

On the French Legion of Honor, which is of similar construction, the centers are held by wax since the origin. One of the side effects of this substance is that as it ages and dries, it tends to shrink, and very often you may find that the centers have been "pulled in". I'd probably use some sort of blue-tack to repair it.

Marc