Assistance with Tapferkeitsmedaille in Silver

[TomP73]

Hi all

 

Over the weekend I picked up my first and only Tapferkeitsmedaille from a medal fair. I'm struggling to find decent information online to assist but was hoping the experts on this forum can!

 

The medal is silver and as per the 3rd picture has the 'A' hallmark on the rim denoting it is made from Silver (thats the most I have been able to suss so far).  

 

How can you distinguish between the 1st and 2nd class of this medal? I believe the 3rd class is Bronze, but for silver i am unsure how to tell them apart.

 

Also in terms of age, am I correct in thinking this could have been awarded any time between 1848–1916 or is there a way of telling whether this is First World War or not?

 

I also note the suspender looks to have been changed at some point with a more modern hook, the ribbon itself feels nice and old. 

 

Thanks in advance for any help!

Tom

 

 

[Megan]

If you like Austro-Hungarian Orders, Decorations, and Medals, you should go to https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/booksbyauthor/537591 and get hold of Richard Lussier's extremely comprehensive work, available in PDF or EPUB formats for free... absolutely magnificent. The level of detail may answer some of your questions, but it should be a useful addition to your library anyway.

[Elmar Lang]

Hello,

 

besides the excellent ifo given by Megan, I might add that the piece posted, is a Silberne Tapferkeitsmedaille 2nd Class, of the type awarded from 1914, until the death of Emperor Franz Josef in 1916 (this type was awarded until the early 1917, when the new dies of Kautsch bearing the image of Emperor Karl I were ready.

 

Re. the size, the 1st class medal is larger than the 2nd class and has a diametre of 40,0 mm.

 

Another sign indicating the difference between the 1st and 2nd class (Franz Josef type, from 1866, until 1916), is that the 1st class bears the artist's signature of "LEISEK", while the 2nd Class, that of "TAUTENHAYN".

 

All the best,

 

Enzo (E.L.)

[TomP73]

Hi both

 

Thanks very much for both of your replies, both are extremely helpful. 

 

It is great to be able to establish which class of this medal it is, and roughly date it to the early/mid war period. Now that I know more I will be on the lookout for a later example with Emperor Karl I on it. A quick further question about this medal, I have seen examples (which based on this new knowledge appear to be later versions) with a different reverse, Instead of 'Der Tapferkeit' as on my example, it says 'Fortitudini' - Does this make it a different medal altogether or was this just an update on later versions?

 

Thanks again, I really appreciate it

Tom

[Elmar Lang]

Hello again,

 

the motto "Fortitudini" ("to the valour") appears to the reverse of the Tapferkeitsmedaillen of the type introduced in 1917 by Emperor Karl I.

 

He choose the latin word (that is the same motto of the Military Order of Maria Theresa), to signify that the crown didn't want to put the "German" component above all the other nationalities forming the Habsburg monarchy.

Edited October 8 by Elmar Lang

[TomP73]

Fascinating, thanks very much for that info!

[Megan]

Yes, indeed fascinating. I've learned something new as well! Thank you.

[Stogieman]

The trifold ribbon looks like a modern replacement??

[Elmar Lang]

I confirm that the ribbon, although being in the right colours, is of recent manufacture. 

[TomP73]

Hi. Yes I think that is the case. Its a nicer material at least, not the cheaper polyester type ribbon sometimes found with new ribbons. The hanger hook as well is definitely newer than some of the older wire styles. 

 

Out of curiosity, does anybody know of any UK dealers who have a decent selection of Austrian/Austro-Hungarian WW1 medals? I have recently become more interested in this theatre of WW1 but in the UK few online dealers seem to carry these medals - this medal for example I picked up at a medal fair in Stockport. 

 

Cheers
Tom

[graham]

You could try this website, not a huge selection but a few worth looking at from time to time:

 

https://www.liverpoolmedals.com/shop?s=&country=Austria&state=&product_cat=&price_range=15%3B8995&template=world

 

 

[TomP73]

Thanks Graham 👍