A little something from Baden

[Blitz]

Some might have noticed that there has been nothing from my part of the world to report in a long while. I've been buying books and consentrating on other things, but now I do have something to share. I managed to buy a small stock of Baden ribbons and this tiny thing: A clasp for the Baden Felddienstauszeichnung or field service decoration for the franco-prussia war of 1870-71.

When the award was founded in 1839, the clasps were awarded retrospectively starting from 1806 for every conflict the badeneurs were involved in and out of these the 1870-71 war was the last, since Grand duke Friedrich II wasn't there to authorise it after ww1. I don't have any numbers on how many of these were awarded, but I do know that these clasps are much much rarer than the ones for the german campaign medall of 1870-71. And while the the german ones have battle names, these only have years. These came with two standard systems of attachment; prongs or a bar. Mine has bar that has broken from it's other end at some point.

[Blitz]

Here is what my Baden display looks like now, crowded, that is. As You can see I've also found correct ribbons for the two longservice awards. Thats what I got. Thank you for your time.

[gregM]

I still love those house crosses. They are probably one of the most beautifull
of the Imp. awards

[Wild Card]

That is a really nice display. Congratulations!

Wild Card

[Blitz]

Thanks guys!

[Daniel Murphy]

Blitz,
So were these bars issued to the award winner or was it a private purchase item like the bars for the Campaign medal? I know those are rare because not everyone bought them. Is this just rare because not as many were awarded? I am curious because my medal bar to a Badener in the 1870 EK thread has this bar.
Dan Murphy

[Chris Wainwrigh]

Antti, Crowded is a good thing is this case Super Baden collection

[Adam H]

Hi Antti,

Really nice stuff there! As you know I like Baden stuff as well having spent part of my youth there. I'll have to put a few of my things on the forum when I get a bit of time.

I'm looking at a nice set to a Baden fellow and if it pans out I'll put it on show!

Cheers,

Adam

[Blitz]

Blitz,
So were these bars issued to the award winner or was it a private purchase item like the bars for the Campaign medal? I know those are rare because not everyone bought them. Is this just rare because not as many were awarded? I am curious because my medal bar to a Badener in the 1870 EK thread has this bar.
Dan Murphy

Yeah I noticed your bar. I have the two books in the world that have details of the medall and I can't give you a 100% sure answer. But since the clasps were founded alongside the medall in a big ceremony for the veterans of the napoleonic wars, it would seem fit that they were awarded, rather to have the veterans pay money after just throwing a party for them. So I would say that they were awarded at the states expense. But I can't be sure that that didn't change later on. In Badens case the numbers are small enough to make them a rarity even if every enlisted man got awarded one. I don't have numbers for you, but I will have them tomorrow.

Thanks Guys! I'll be looking forward to seeing your Baden items Adam..

[Blitz]

According to written sources, Badens army for the franco-prussian war consisted of a field division that was made up from 6 infantry regiments, 3 cavalry regiments, an artillery regiment and 3 companies worth of support troops. All to total; around 20 000 men. That isn't alot, considering that the Prussian army including north german confederation and reserve forces was made up from 15 324 officers and 714 950 men in addition to the landwehr of 6510 officers and 201 640 men. So If you compare 20 000 with grand total of german forces, witch was about 1 183 000, it doesn't seem much, does it? I believe those figures also explain why the clasps and the field service award itself, is much rarer than it's german relations.