Beat up Colonial/? Medal Bar

[army historian]

Hello all I could not resist this medal bar - even though the Colonial Medal is Jeweler's piece, Bulgarian medal and ribbon were probably added, and the Hungarian Medal was added. The bar has two original ribbons: Colonial Medal and the last ribbon a Red Eagle Order/ or General Honor Medal. The backing is period white wool - probably Naval enlisted. Any comments would be helpful. Cheers Captain Albert

[saschaw]

I think this is the proper ribbon for the Hungarian medal. Don't you see slightly green stripes? The are often faded away.

[army historian]

Thank you saschaw, sorry I can't see any green - maybe when the group arrives in person I will be able to tell. If you are correct this would be a pre-1934 (probably 1920's piece). Thanks for your comment. Cheers Captain Albert

[army historian]

Well it showed up and yes I found the little green stripes within a fold on the Hungarian medal. The bar is original (1930's). The Colonial medal is very nice Jeweler's piece even 3 MM thick (like the originals). I cleaned it up and did a few repairs. The backing material is not white. It is a very odd sort of Tan wool. Maybe Schutztruppe? Any comments would be helpful. Cheers Captain Albert

[Chris Boonzaier]

nice piece. interesting he got no German awards for WW1

[army historian]

Yes Chris, not even the 1934 Front fighter's Cross nor Austrian WW1 Commemorative medal. Possible Schutztruppe before 1914, then served in the Hungarian or Bulgarian armies in WW1? This is a strange group. Cheers Captain Albert

[saschaw]

He probably was neither in Hungarian nor Bulgarian armies. Not every German soldier won an EK2 (actually: 1 of 2,8) or other bravery awards! The absence of the Front fighter's cross lets me assume the bar is early 30s!

[army historian]

Thanks saschaw, You are probably correct. I thought early 30's (but missing front fighter's Honor Cross is interesting). Any comments on the backing color? Thanks Captain Albert