Imperial medals - help please

[5016]

Hi Gents,

I have recently acquired a small collection of Imperial German medal bars. This is not my area of collecting but I couldn't resist...I was  only after some to display with a WW1 Butchers bayonet and these were offered.

I would be most grateful if anyone could tell me exactly what I have please. I think they all represent soldiers who survived WW1 and went on into the Third Reich period but may be wrong!

If you can tell me which region they are from, the names of each medal and if it is possible to tell anything about the soldier from the grouping i.e. an N.C.O. etc

Many thanks in anticipation.

 

Kevin.

Edited February 8, 2016 by 5016
Spelling

[dedehansen]

Hi Kevin

Upper bar I belief Prussian

Preußen Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Mecklenburg  Schwerin Militärverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse 1914

Anhalt Friedrich Kreuz

Österreich Kriegserinnerungsmedaille

Ungarn Kriegserinnerungsmedaille

 

Mid-level bar Bavarian

Preußen Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Bayern Militärverdienstkreuz 3. Klasse mit Schwertern

Württemberg  silberne Militärverdienstmedaille

3. Reich Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer

Bayern Jubiläumsmedaille für die bayerische Armee

Bayern Dienstauszeichnungskreuz 1. Klasse für 15 Dienstjahre

 

Lowest bar Württenbergian

Preußen Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Württemberg  silberne Militärverdienstmedaille

3. Reich Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer

Württemberg Dienstauszeichnungskreuz 1. Klasse für 15 Dienstjahre

3. Reich Treuedienstehrenzeichen 1. Stufe für 40 Jahre

 

Kind regards

Andreas

[5016]

Many thanks Andreas. That is so helpful. 

Regards,

Kevin.

[dedehansen]

Hi Kevin, if you want to start collecting German medal bars, you have to be careful.

Some bars which are around are faked or decorations have been changed or wrong completed.

Your Bavarian bar is from the Militärverdienstkreuz 3rd class a Gefreiter

but I dont know a Gefreiter with 15 years of service. The long service cross

is a decoration for NCO´s.

In my mind, either the Militärverdienstcross or the long service cross isn´t right, but

with the Jubiläumsmedaille it is more likely, that the Militärverdienstkreuz is the wrong class.

Kind regards
Andreas

[5016]

Thanks for that Andreas. Oh dear - that's disappointing. So far as you can tell, are the other two bars right?

Kind regards,

Kevin

[5016]

On 9 February 2016 at 21:38, dedehansen said:

either the Militärverdienstcross or the long service cross isn´t right, but

with the Jubiläumsmedaille it is more likely, that the Militärverdienstkreuz is the wrong class.

Can you show me exactly which (ideally with a photo) class of MVK you would expect to see. I may try to source the medal and correct this situation.

Thanks in anticipation.

Kevin.

[dedehansen]

Hi Kevin,

could you please post photos from front and rear from the bavarian bar?

Kind regards

Andreas

[5016]

Here you go Andreas. I've also done a close up of the two maker-marked medals. The EK is marked "S-W". Hope this helps. Anything you can tell me appreciated. 

Also, if the other two bars look ok, could you please let me know. Good or bad, I want to know.

Edited February 12, 2016 by 5016

[dedehansen]

Hi Kevin,

all three bars are good.

On your Bavarian bar I would expect a Militärverdienstkreuz 2nd class with swords.

Kind regards
Andreas

[5016]

Many thanks Andreas. I'll keep my eyes open for a 2nd class award. 

I appreciate all the help you have given me.

Regards,

Kevin.

[dedehansen]

15 minutes ago, 5016 said:

Many thanks Andreas. I'll keep my eyes open for a 2nd class award. 

I appreciate all the help you have given me.

Regards,

Kevin.

Anytime! 

Andreas

[Paul C]

When I started collecting medal bars my friend warned be to be care of bars with the hook back as it is so easy to replace medals.

[5016]

Hi Paul,

Yes, that makes sense. Good tip, thank you.

It seems someone probably took the higher grade award from mine and replaced it with a lower class. I'll try and rectify that in time. There are so many pitfalls for the new-comer in any field of collecting.

Regards,

Kevin.