1895-1897 Prussian Lapel Decoration Chain.

[DougO]

I just got this wonderful Prussina Lapel Decoration Chain with 11 mini decorations and want to share it with you . It is a piece of art !

[Robin Lumsden]

[DougO]

Right hand start of the chain with per my friend Rick Lundstroem :1) 1870 Iron Cross 2nd class with 25 year Oak Leave . 2) Prussian Eagle Order 4th class .3) Prussian Crown Order 3rd class . 4) Prussian XXVYears Service Cross .

[DougO]

Center of the chain with : 5) Principality of Hohenzollern Honor Cross 3rd class with Swords ( quite rare for 1870 ! ) . 6) Principality of Hohenzollern Honor Cross 3rd class . 7) 1870/71 War Medal .

[DougO]

Center had also shown the : 8) 1866 War Medal for Koeniggraetz . And left hand end of the chain with : 9)Bavarian Military Merit Order Kinght 1st class Type 1866- 1905 with Swords , created 1891 and so for the war of 1870 --quite scarce ! 10 ) Baden Order of the Zaehringen Lion - Knight 1st class with Oakleaves . 11) Belgian Order with Swords and Crown . This last one I like to know more about . Please let me know any info !!!!

[Noor]

Its just great!

[DougO]

All the medals are also finished on their backsides .

[DougO]

Backside start at one side .

[DougO]

Center of backsides .

[DougO]

Other end of the backsides .

[DougO]

Here now a close-up of the Belgian decoration I like to know more about : It says in the band around the lion with crown "E UNION FAIT LA FORCE ".

[Wild Card]

DougO,

Congratulations! That’s about as good as they get. I think that it is worth mentioning that the suspension chain is quite a rare example of the highest quality.

I do have a question. Can you tell if the PrKO is a first or second type.? Chains of this period can be found with either type - or sometimes even both.

Again, congratulations on a great find.

Best wishes,

Wild Card

[DougO]

...And the backside has a monogram of interwoven " LR " ;--meaning may be Leopold Rex ??? Rick feels this decoration chain belong to a " Oberst " , but that he was dead by 1897 , since he did not have the 1897 Centenary Kaiser Wilhelm I medal .He also thinks ,the Oberst could have been a part of the Fuesilier Regiment 40 based on the 2 Hohenzollern Medals . It would be nice to find the OWNER of these decorations !!! Hope you liked this great piece of history . Bernd .

[Henke]

That belgium order is, Order of Leopold the I.

Here is a link to Hendrik Meersschaerts excellent page on Belgium orders. Check under Belgium - Chivalry orders to find out more about your one.

http://users.skynet.be/hendrik/

[Peter J.]

Now where the heck did I put that tube of oxygen . Very nic catch Bernd .

cheers
Peter