Imperial Russia Decorated German medic in Persia

[Freiwillige]

I'd like to post here quite uncommon and very interesting (in my opinion) CDV of the European medic decorated with Persian order and discuss this portrait.

Maybe Imperial Russian doctor of German origin?

Edited June 4, 2011 by Freiwillige

[Freiwillige]

Backside of the CDV.

[Freiwillige]

Writing on the back: "Onkel Erich Walter, Dr.Med. 1871-1918".

What does these dates mean? Period he served in Persia or just years he was born and passed away?

I suppose this portrait was made late XIX century, not 1900s.

[Freiwillige]

Fragment No. 1 Sabre details.

[Freiwillige]

Fragment No.2. Tunic cuff.

[Freiwillige]

Fragment No. 3. Tunic collar and neck award.

Persian Order of the Lion and the Sun (Nishan-i-Shir u Khurshid) was instituted by Fat’h Ali Shah of the Qajar Dynasty in 1808 to honour foreign officials who had rendered distinguished services to Persia. Here we have order's 3.Class - Commander grade.

[Freiwillige]

Fragment No.4 Breast badge.

Edited June 4, 2011 by Freiwillige

[Freiwillige]

As far as understand the breast badge isn't German at all. For me it looks like Imperial Russian Badge for medical officers that were awarded Doctor's degree at Russian Universities and Imperial Medical Academy.

Am I right? If so, he's not German at all but a Russian medic then. But the name is still a German one...