Württemberg medal bar... opinions?

[Klaus O.]

Dear fellow imperialites,

Here's a nice bar found on a catalogue of a German auction house. The description:

Ordensspange mit 5 Auszeichnungen, Eisernes Kreuz 1914, Württemberg Verdienstkreuz mit Schwertern 1915-18, Ehrenkreuz für Kriegsteilnehmer, Silberne Verdienstmedaille 1892-1918, Dienstauszeichnung 2. Klasse für 12 Jahre

I was wondering if the Ehrenkreuz without swords would be possible in this case. Wasn't the Verdienstkreuz given to "Beamten" as well or was awarded only to senior NCOs.... if so I cannot explain why this NCO got a Ehrenkreuz f. Kriegsteilnehmer without swords...

Any comments from your side? I am eagerly waiting for your interesting replies.

Ciao,

Claudio

[Rick Research]

That IS quite odd-- the Merit Cross with Swords was often given to this sort of Feldwebelleutnant type for COMBAT merit, because "nothing else" was available to that category of warrant officer. It is possible he was one of the 6,855 "black-white" NON-combatant EK2 winners... but that seems unlikely for such a person.

Documents... always need the documents!!!!

An exceptionally nice looking bar, BTW.

[Daniel Krause]

Hi Claudio,

really a nice looking but odd bar. I think it is not impossible, but quite unusual. Any docs available from that dealer?

Best regards

Daniel

[PaulHD]

Claudio,

There is something very strange here. In Nimmerguts
"Orden und Ehrenziechen" catalog, the Wilhelm II
silbernes Verdienstkreuz has no version with swords, and
they may have been added later for decoration.
This is a civil award, not to be confused with the Wilhelms
cross, which has the date "1915" on the bottom cross arm
and comes on the yellow with black stripes ribbon The
swords on the Wilhelm cross are of the same metal as
the cross itself, and are much heavier looking.

If the Verdienstkreuz had no sword, you'd have a perfectly legit
non-combatant bar.

[Daniel Krause]

Hi Paul,

the Verdienstkreuz was awarded with swords in WW1 to senior NCO ranks.

If Nimmergut (never good) doesnt know that, it is again a reason more to call him Ewig-schlecht (ever bad)

Best regards

Daniel

[Klaus O.]

picture of the reverse

Dear fellow collectors,

I just got today the pic of the backing from Zeige. I am still bothered about the Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer ohne Schwertern. The backing seems good also if the quality of the taylor job in folding the ribbons at the bottom wasn't perfect...

What do you think?

Ciao,

Claudio

P.S.: Daniel, there are no documents with the medal bar unfortunately...