The Duchy Of Brunswick.

[ChrisKelly]

Initially established in one class on 23 October 1914, the Brunswick War Merit Cross was expanded to include a first class cross on 20 March 1918, and a ribbon device established for frontline service on the same day.

 

 

My small collection:

 

 

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

 

 

Examples of original medal bars...

 

Sources:

 

https://www.henrysmilitarycollectables.com.au/products/sold-items/wwi-imperial-german-4-medal-group-to-the-brunswick-regiment-sold.aspx

 

https://globalwarmuseum.com/produkt/medal-bar-iron-cross-2nd-class-brunswick-war-merit-cross-2nd-class-hindenburg-cross-for-combatants-germany-wwi/

 

https://www.henrysmilitarycollectables.com.au/products/sold-items/wwi-imperial-german-4-medal-group-to-the-brunswick-regiment-sold.aspxhttps://tradeinmilitary.nz/product/wwi-german-frederick-augustus-war-service-cross-2nd-class/

 

Edited November 22 by ChrisKelly

[ChrisKelly]

Beware! The second class cross has been copiously reproduced! 

 

Sources:

 

https://www.unionmilitaria.com/brunswick-war-merit-cross-2nd-class-p803.html

 

https://sammlerschmiede.de/product_info.php?language=en&info=p129_brunswick-war-merit-cross-2nd-class.html

 

https://www.epicmilitaria.com/ww1-german-brunswick-war-merit-cross-2nd-class-with-frontline-service-clasp.htm

 

Here are some examples:

 

 

An original first class cross:

 

Source:

 

https://www.lakesidetrader.com/item.php?ID=30404

 

Edited November 22 by ChrisKelly

[ChrisKelly]

Compared with some contemporary reproductions...

 

Sources:

 

https://www.unionmilitaria.com/brunswick-war-merit-cross-1st-class-p757.html

 

https://hessenantique.com/brunswick-war-merit-cross-1st-class/

 

Edited November 22 by ChrisKelly

[CRBeery]

I certainly wouldn’t want the first class example from Lakesidetrader in my collection. Nothing like an issued piece.

[ChrisKelly]

I do wonder about those steckkreuze with different colored metal pins and hinges, and what looks like a bad soldering/welding job.  Looks sloppily repaired with left-over parts, at the least, doesn't it?

[graham]

A 1st Class for review:

 

 

 

[CRBeery]

21 minutes ago, graham said:

A 1st Class for review:

 

 

 

Issued piece just like you want to find them.

[graham]

Thanks CRBeery.

[ChrisKelly]

graham's post...  Now that's a really nice piece! Textbook!

 

First time I saw a Brunswick steckkreuz was in the UVa. archives, in Charlottesville, Virginia, about forty years ago.  Archivist had some First World War material...  Pulled open a desk drawer and retrieved a wooden cigar box, so I took the box, found an empty table and got to handle the items.  I seem to remember a small sign, about two inches tall and eight inches long, baked black and white enamel, which read "Hindenburg-Str." that had been removed from a door or a wall.  Since then, I've only seen the Brunswick steckkreuz in photographs.

Edited November 30 by ChrisKelly

[graham]

Thanks Chris.

[ChrisKelly]