Bulgarian Bravery order - early Austrian made

[ilieff]

Hi all,

In line with the title of the thread, 

Could any of you recognise or at least determine the country of origin of the markings on Prince Battenberg's 1st Class set? 

I think it's Austrian mark, but could well be Imperial Russian one (or else). 

Thanks,

PS: Provided normal image and a high-contrast version. 

 

 

[Igor Ostapenko]

Russian 56 for gold (14K)

[ilieff]

Thank you, Igor. Indeed I can read 56*. 

As far as I know, Russian makers were usually putting their initials (e.g. "ИО"  was for I.Ozeretskiy, etc). Unfortunately, I cannot recognise the letters in this case though. My assumption would be that it's "AK", which might stand for the company Keibel. Any thoughts?

[Igor Ostapenko]

we need best pictures  

I have Academy badge with letters AH - unknown juwelier from Petersburg 

[V.Vazov]

Hello Gentlemen,

I found something you may find curious.

I came across this photo of very bad quality in the Polish Wikipedia.

As you may see, there is a 3 grade cross, with big Lilly, like the pretended 1st Batenberg examples in V. Denkov’s book. Experienced collectors told me that the photos in this book are not reliable and such crosses are not proved to exist.

Which is even more curious is the breast star, quite like 1st class one but without the ring with diamond like metallic balls.

What do you think of those examples. Are they real, or maybe photoshoped ? Have anyone seen other photos of something like them?

Many thanks and best regards,

Vazov 

Edited February 10, 2018 by V.Vazov

[new world]

hi Vazov,

I am not convinced these these are photos of actual items.

If you compare central medallions - they look identical, in fact they look like the same medallion (see reflections, shades, lion - exactly the same). 

I think these photos were created with Photoshop.

 

 

 

[Graf]

Hi all,

 

I think i found a matching miniature to this rare french made Bravery Order

The miniature is marked with a French mark for silver and partial mark for the maker

When comparing the features of both Full Size and the miniatures there are very similar.

-both are marked with French marks for silver

- both have very similar maker mark -which is more likely to be A. Chobillion according to couple of experts on French marks

-the swords forms are the same

- the connection above the cross and the ring are the same, although it is not very well detailed on the mini (quite understandable)

- the finish of both looks the same

[Igor Ostapenko]

From 1880 y. to 1885 y only 3 ( sic!) bulgarian officers receive Order For Bravery 4th class 

Prince Alexander 

First Leutenant Kisov 

and first Leutenant Gudjev 

( I have only one bad picture )

In 1882 year Order For Bravery receive serbian mayor Karl Franasovich 

from 1880 to 1885 yy Order For Bravery receive 17 russian officers 

Kpt. Kashtalinsky Nikolay 

 

[Igor Ostapenko]

On 23/03/2017 at 12:58, ilieff said:

Dear all,

Here's a photograph of the Prime-minister and regent Stefan Stambolov. He's one of the few people presented with the first class set (along with the other two regents).
His badge is obviously a generic example with green-enamelled ring as opposed to a gilded one.

In addition, below is a photograph of the awarding certificate given to him and singed by the new Monarch. It's dated 1st September 1887 and should be a genuine document, even though I cannot prodive you with its source.

The two images together indicate that the green enamelled orders started to be awarded [not later than September] in 1887, while we know for a fact that the commanders of the Serbo-Bulgarian war (e.g. General Nikolaev, General Petrov, etc) have been decorated a year earlier (in 1886) with second classes of the same order but their badges are having gilded outer rings instead. This points to the conclusion that the 'gilded ring' design has been discontinued in mid 1886 (with few exceptions). Another clue is the unique rounded breast star, worn by Alexander I, which also features green enamel.

Of course, not everything is that straight-forward when it comes to the highest classes of Bulgarian orders. I think that the highest classes were being given only by the Monarchs grace (especially during Ferdinand's reign) and in the majority of cases personally by Him. A contemporary of the Prince wrote in his memoirs that Ferdinand had his own stash with orders in stock, independantly from the Chancellary of Bulgarian orders (though we cannot be certain of the purpose of these 'stashed' decorations).

 

Also, I think that the 'gilded ring' orders were not only of Imperial Russian manufacure. Some decorations of the Battenberg period were indeed Austrian made and logically, certain numbers of the Order "For Bravery" could well be, too, considering the suspended diplomatic relations with Russia after September 1885 and the need for more orders in early 1886.

 

 

and Georgi Zhivkov

On 01/10/2017 at 20:07, Graf said:

Hi

I want to share this picture with you

This is the French text translation :

Insignia of the order of bravery that belonged to William II (1859-1941), King of Prussia and emperor of Germany
Silver,gold plated and enamel
Special Model for "heads of the dead" (Backhand)
1914-1918

 

another side of cross 

[Igor Ostapenko]

http://www.moreto.net/novini.php?n=396181 

 

may be anybody can to find better pictures ? 

[ilieff]

Just wanted to share this image of a 'lily' bravery order which appears to be of the 'cruder' type. 

Col. Dimitar Popov,  c. late 30s 

[V.Vazov]

Hello gents,

I know you're gonna love this: first grade set in separate boxes for the badge and the star, both with Prince Alexander's monogram (barely visible but had no chance to make a better photo). @ilieff if you want the photos in better quality or if you can do some "magic" for the monogram to appear clarly, you've got my e-mail.

Best Vazov

[new world]

16 hours ago, V.Vazov said:

Hello gents,

I know you're gonna love this: first grade set in separate boxes for the badge and the star, both with Prince Alexander's monogram (barely visible but had no chance to make a better photo). @ilieff if you want the photos in better quality or if you can do some "magic" for the monogram to appear clarly, you've got my e-mail.

Best Vazov

 

I am speechless!!! 

Where are these awards located, which museum?

[ilieff]

Great find!

These images give answers to two questions at a time - who might have been the manufacturer and what the cases looked like. 

Thanks

[Igor Ostapenko]

pictures from eBay 

 

bulgarian officer Koychev , colonel of russian Imperial Army , with Bravery order  4 class 

with family 

[Graf]

Hi Igor,

I just noticed this rare i suppose 2nd Class Model with the Gold rings on the central medallion in a rare Rothe Box.

Posted on 2nd of May 2019