The Grand Duchy of Oldenburg.

[ChrisKelly]

The Friedrich August Cross was established on 24 September 1914 in two grades, a first and second class cross.  On 20 September 1918, the bar, "vor dem Feinde" was authorized as a ribbon device, but not likely presented before the end of hostilities.

 

Approximately 6,900 awards of the first class and 62,800 of the second class were made.

 

Source:

http://home.att.net/~david.danner/militaria/oldenburg.htm

 

 

From the now apparently defunct Russian web-site, "antique-photos.com":

 

Edited Thursday at 16:07 by ChrisKelly

[ChrisKelly]

An interesting combination...

 

Source:

https://www.emedals.com/products/oldenburg-a-first-war-period-friedrich-august-medal-bar-grouping-g35352

 

 

Beware! The first class cross is a popular award to fake! Here are a few examples:

 

Sources:

 

https://www.kelsmilitary.com/product/E32.html

 

https://murphsmilitaria.com/product/germany-oldenburg-ww1-medal-fa2-friedrich-august-cross-1914-1918-decoration-award/

 

https://www.epicmilitaria.com/friedrich-august-cross-1st-class.html

 

 

Some authentic examples...

 

Sources:

 

https://www.kuenker.de/de/auktionen/stueck/426854

 

https://www.kuenker.de/ru/archiv/stueck/137470

 

https://www.kuenker.de/de/archiv/stueck/137471

 

https://auctionet.com/en/events/60-14-auktion-sommer-2016/438-friedrich-august-kreuz-1-klasse-blackened-iron-counter-cross-with-screw-washer-silver

 

 

Edited Thursday at 16:29 by ChrisKelly

[VtwinVince]

Always one of my favourite EK equivalents.

[91-old-inf-reg]

Here’s the second class paper packet

[ChrisKelly]

Image 1! At the top of the picture!  Is that a tiny little "vor dem Feinde" device for a ribbon bar?  Super-extra-rare!

[91-old-inf-reg]

Most certainly is!

[pinpon590]

Some other Oldenburg awards...

 

 

 

😍

[VtwinVince]

There's a Vor dem Feinde device on this Feldschnalle as well.

[91-old-inf-reg]

Here’s the very lucrative Oldenburg Krierverein Verdienstkreuz and the flag version from my own collection and the corresponding case, miniature, and it mounted that I’ve archived from various sources: 

 

the flag version:

 

 

the holy grail of medal bars I missed on eBay a couple years back:

 

a recent sale I missed by literal minutes:

[ChrisKelly]

Source:

https://tradeinmilitary.nz/product/wwi-german-frederick-augustus-war-service-cross-2nd-class/

 

[ChrisKelly]

National President and General Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg and Beneckendorff wearing the Friedrich August Cross first class.