ph0ebus Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Hi all, Apologies if this is a basic question, and I was unable to locate a previous thread on this question using the search feature. My question relates to two family pictures I have, one of my grandfather (Emanuel) and another of his brother (Simon). Both were awarded the EKII, but while my grandfather wears his EKII ribbon through his buttonhole, his brother wears it on a ribbon bar on his left breast. My grandfather was with Feldartillerie Regiment Nr. 43, and his brother was with Reserve Feldartillerie Regiment Nr 5, though I am not 100% certain Simon was still with RFAR5 at the time the photo was taken. Why would two presumably Prussian FAR regiments wear the EKII ribbon two different ways? Thanks, -Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Lumsden Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 There was an option to wear war decoration ribbons from the buttonhole. Just an option ................. Peacetime awards could not be worn from the buttonhole. Any ribbon worn from the buttonhole could not also be worn on the bar at the same time. That's it in a nutshell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Boonzaier Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 There must be something in writing about this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 Hi all, Apologies if this is a basic question, and I was unable to locate a previous thread on this question using the search feature. My question relates to two family pictures I have, one of my grandfather (Emanuel) and another of his brother (Simon). Both were awarded the EKII, but while my grandfather wears his EKII ribbon through his buttonhole, his brother wears it on a ribbon bar on his left breast. My grandfather was with Feldartillerie Regiment Nr. 43, and his brother was with Reserve Feldartillerie Regiment Nr 5, though I am not 100% certain Simon was still with RFAR5 at the time the photo was taken. Why would two presumably Prussian FAR regiments wear the EKII ribbon two different ways? Thanks, -Daniel Can you post the pictures? H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ph0ebus Posted March 26, 2011 Author Share Posted March 26, 2011 Hi Hugh, all... Thanks for the clarification. I am away from my computer at present but will post photos as soon as I have access. Thanks, Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Boonzaier Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 Lets not forget, later tunics did not have the button holes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 Lets not forget, later tunics did not have the button holes... True, but in many cases they sewed the ribbons right where the button hole would have been anyway. Chip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ostprussenmann_new Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 True, but in many cases they sewed the ribbons right where the button hole would have been anyway. Chip This is agood question. I have alway's wondered this about the EKII myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Lumsden Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 There must be something in writing about this. There is. Courtesy of SS-Standartenfuehrer Dr. Doehle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 Robin, please elaborate! Thanks, Chip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Boonzaier Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 True, but in many cases they sewed the ribbons right where the button hole would have been anyway. Chip Hi without a doubt done and seen in many photos, but proportionally, in the days of tunics with buttons just about everyone was wearing them in the buttonhole... later photos with the Bluse and its hidden buttons there are guys who sew them on where the buttonhole should be, but there are many more with the ribbon on the chest. I think it was just a question of praticality at that stage. Best Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ostprussenmann_new Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 Hi without a doubt done and seen in many photos, but proportionally, in the days of tunics with buttons just about everyone was wearing them in the buttonhole... later photos with the Bluse and its hidden buttons there are guys who sew them on where the buttonhole should be, but there are many more with the ribbon on the chest. I think it was just a question of praticality at that stage. Best Chris If you look at my posting about Prussian Infantry Regiment Nr. 18 (von Grolman), there is a picture of my Great Great Uncle in a hidden button blouse with his EKII sewn onto the tunic. ostprussenmann Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ph0ebus Posted March 27, 2011 Author Share Posted March 27, 2011 (edited) Hi all, Sorry for the delay in posting these....got caught up in home renovations that took longer than expected. here's my grandfather with EKII ribbon in his buttonhole (circa May 1917): And here is his brother Simon with his EKII ribbon on a ribbon bar (undated, but presumably late war): Of course, Simon is wearing the tunic sans buttonholes, which would make the wearing of the bar more sensible, but as I am new to all this, and was not sure if there was some other significance above and beyond the practicality of it. Thanks again, Daniel Edited March 27, 2011 by ph0ebus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ostprussenmann_new Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 Here is my Great Great Uncle Mathias. He was in Prussian Infantry Regiment Nr. 18 (von Grolman) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odulf Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 Perhaps this most interesting question can be answered by looking at early German portraits, and asking the question: When did the custom of wearing ribbons instead of full medals became customary? Going through my photo collection I have noticed that the earliest photos show only (high ranking) officers wearing Orders in their button holes. During and shortly after the Franco-German War of 1870-71 it looks like the first ribbons without medals are worn on the chest. Thus no medal ribbons in button holes, only full size decorations without the matching ribbons. Still, during the Franco-German War the EK2 is worn from the button hole (permanently on the kleinen Dienstanzug?). During the Great War I see the first ribbons without medals appear in button holes, also in combination ribbons, combining more ribbons into one. Amongst the first ribbons to be permanently worn in the button hole is the Rettungsmedaille am Bande. Some photos from my collection below. Portrait of: August Wittenstein, Inf.Rgt. Nr.55 (dated Juli 1871) Undated, photographer Vinmer, St.Quentin (Aisne) in France Fritz von Bock und Polach (undated), photographer Ch.Boquet, Bar le Duc Unidentified Lieutenant of the Reserve with ribbon bar Beautifull incoloured photo, dated 19.1.1892 (???) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn R Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 What an excellent selection of photos. Great to see member's ancestors posted here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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