L-Cypher Badge

[jwburchell]

I have a feeling that this badge might not be military, but am hoping someone here can help me to identify it. I am thinking it could be Imperial German, therefore the posting on this particular forum.

A search on the WAF produced no results, except regarding the characteristic L-cypher on other medals and medal packets.

I do seem to recollect having once before seen something similar that was a badge awarded to members of the household retinue of Ludwig for service.

The maker name stamped into the attachment disc of the reverse side reads: "Gust. Schuft / Cottbus". I was able to confirm this firm as a legitimate producer of day badges (tinnies) during WW2, being: M9/120 Gustav Schuft.

Any identification assistance will be appreciated, as well as an indication of scarcity and approximate value.

Thanks,

John

[jwburchell]

View of the reverse side:

[Lance]

Pretty much a guess- but for some reason I think this is a shooting badge. It could be just misinformation that has stuck in (or been twisted) my brain. My second guess, is that it has something to do with the queen or princess of Bavaria. Again, more constipated twists. I wouldn't have posted, but no one else did so what the hell.

[Mike Dwyer]

I have no idea, but the shooting badge is certainly a possibility. The L could be for a princess or queen, but don't forget Bavaria had three kings named Ludwig, and also Luitpold, Prince Regent of Bavaria.

[jwburchell]

Thanks for the feedback comments, guys. In Joerg Nimmergut's reference on German medals entitled "Orden und Ehrenzeichen 1800-1945" I found the following:

a) an item under Freistadt Bayern (Bavaria) bearing this identical cypher within a wreath...except that it is a solid medal on a ring suspension - a Regiments-Jubilaumsmedaille an das 10. IR "Koenig", 1682-1932;

b) under Hessen-Darmstadt, a "Militarische Ehrenzeichen", that looks the same, except that the L-cypher also has the Roman numeral I as part of the cypher (presumably Ludwid the First), this being an "Erinnerungszeichen fuer Kriegsveteranen, Steckabzeichen, 1869" with a pin-back;

c) under Lippe-Detmold, a service medal (Verdienstkreuz, 1908-18) on a ring suspension that has the L-cypher surmounted by a crown at the centre of a cross.

Elsewhere on this forum I noted a comment that the cypher "L" represented Duke Ludwig of Anhalt-Koethen.

So, I am now assuming that the badge in my possession does appear to be military in nature, and a service award of some sort.

Does anybody out there know for sure?

Thanks and regards,

John

[torstenbel]

nothing to do with any of the below. It's a membership badge for the women's organisation Luisenbund: see here

http://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?...20081027102140

Cheers, Torsten.

[jwburchell]

Thank you, Torsten! I never cease to be amazed by the collective knowledge held by members of this forum and their willingness to help other fellow collectors.

Can you also provide an indication of scarcity and approximate value, please?

Thanks,
John

[torstenbel]

Thank you, Torsten! I never cease to be amazed by the collective knowledge held by members of this forum and their willingness to help other fellow collectors.

Can you also provide an indication of scarcity and approximate value, please?

Thanks,
John

not extremely scarce I am afraid, but not extremely common either ... I have had that same badge a couple of times in the past ten years .. as for value, I would put it up for sale on ebay at 99 cents starting and see what happens ... Cheers, Torsten.