German medal-bar with Austrian Bravery Medal in.... Silver?

[JensF.]

Just got this one from Ebay. In the picture of the auction it looked like a "standart" medal-bar with an Austrian Bronze Bravery Medal; not very common on a german medal-bar, but this grade was awarded to foreigners by the kuk government. But after I've opened the package I saw this! A SILVER Bravery Medal 2. class (Franz-Josef type). I've never seen the silver medal on a german/foreign medal-bar! And after a cautious check of the maker of the EKII I found a "CD 800" maker/silver mark. Another lucky find!
Btw. the Hindenburg Cross is maker marked "KM & F" for Kallenbach, Meyer und Franke, Luckenwalde.

[JensF.]

A very well made medal-bar in the prussian style. Ribbons with padding, each medal "secured" by a twine on the ring and a "Jägergrün" back:

[Vadim K]

I think I am in love. Thats a beautiful medal bar!

[McCulloh]

bloody great!!!

Sehr Top!
Very nice little bar. The Austrain small bravery award I thought was often awrded to NCOs, (but also Privates?) who served with the Austrian forces. After the debacle of the Bruselov offensive, large numbers of german NCOs (and officers)were seconded to units as small as companies to give 'em some "spine".
I saw last year a document group with a small Karl silver bravery medal and an HK without swords (also a Bavarian MVK3X) that seemed inexplicable until one read the letter that went with it that explained the winner-a 50 year old truck driver Landsturmmann, had taken 6 Italian prisoners after Caparetto who had surrendered to him. The Germans thought him unworthy of an EK and he was never under fire, yet he got a KuK bravery award.
I note the EK2 indicating bar was made after 1935, but before the Anschluss-as the Austrian medal is in the last 'foreign awards' position. Also the Centennial medal says he was in the prime of life during the war-aged between 36 and 42, so he must've been at least an Unterofficier.

[JensF.]

Thanks. As far as I know the Austrian Bravery Medals were awarded after the "degree" of bravery. Is that right?

I read somewere that usually only the Bronze Bravery Medal was awarded to foreign NCOs and enlisted men and the officers got the Military Merit Cross 3. class with war-decoration. But sometimes they made exceptions for special deeds. For example Richthofen got the MMC and the Order of the Iron Crown. Maybe the holder of this medal-bar did something special so he got the silver medal. Sadly I don't have any papers or a name...

[Daniel Krause]

Hi Jens,

nice bar! I just wonder that there is no DA. Maybe this guy was a reserve NCO.
The Austrians gave the MVK as basic decorations to Officers, for additional merits also the Iron Crown, Franz Joseph or even the Leopold.
Privates and NCOs got the Bravery medals and the Verdienstkreuz.
I´ve never seen Germans with more than one Austrian bravery medal, so I think they got the grade fitting to the rank; privates the Bronze one, NCOs the silver one.

Beste Grüße

Daniel

[JensF.]

Danke Daniel,

at the moment I am trying to contact the seller for the name and (maybe) rank/unit of the owner of this medal-bar.

[JensF.]

I've got the name of the owner. It was a Gottlieb Strauß. But I couldn't find out anymore...

[Daniel Krause]

Hi Jens,

thats always the problem with privates and NCOs. Officers at least leave a paper trail in the Ranglisten, but the lower ranks.....If nothing is mentioned in the Regimentsgeschichte..nearly no chance.

Beste Grüße

Daniel