New acquisition but what is it?

[coloradocowboy]

Hi guys,
Just picked this up with a 1944 Carl Eichorn bayonet from a vets grandson. Im assuming this is a wwi medal. Can someone please tell me what it is? The grandson made the mistake of shining it up and rubbing most of the patina off. what a numb nuts
thanks,
chris

[coloradocowboy]

2

[streptile]

Why would you assume it's WWI with the date 1866 on it? I'd think it's more likely a Prussian piece (says so on it) from the Austro-Prussian War, the only big war going on in Europe that year. Someone will likely know for sure, but that's my guess.

[coloradocowboy]

Why would you assume it's WWI with the date 1866 on it? I'd think it's more likely a Prussian piece (says so on it) from the Austro-Prussian War, the only big war going on in Europe that year. Someone will likely know for sure, but that's my guess.

LOL tells you how much I know. Thanks for the quick response

[coloradocowboy]

i looked on ebay. is it a prussian service medal? worth about $25?

[Wild Card]

Hello Coloradocowboy,

Your medal is a Main - Armee Honor Cross. These crosses were awarded by Wilhelm I, king of Prussia, to certain participants of the 1866 war. Other, similar, crosses were awarded for this war as well. They are known as Honor Cross for Königgratz, Honor Cross for Treue Krieger and Honor Cross for noncombatants. They are all of the same basic design and are made from captured cannon (bronze) except for the noncombatant’s cross which are regular bronze.

From what I can tell by your pictures, your piece looks good - there are a surprisingly large number of copies of these crosses. Frankly, I would say that $50 would be a fairer price than $25.

I hope that this information is helpful.

Best wishes,

Wild Card

[coloradocowboy]

Hello Coloradocowboy,

Your medal is a Main - Armee Honor Cross. These crosses were awarded by Wilhelm I, king of Prussia, to certain participants of the 1866 war. Other, similar, crosses were awarded for this war as well. They are known as Honor Cross for Königgratz, Honor Cross for Treue Krieger and Honor Cross for noncombatants. They are all of the same basic design and are made from captured cannon (bronze) except for the noncombatant’s cross which are regular bronze.

From what I can tell by your pictures, your piece looks good - there are a surprisingly large number of copies of these crosses. Frankly, I would say that $50 would be a fairer price than $25.

I hope that this information is helpful.

Best wishes,

Wild Card

wow! thanks for the help. Some cool history there. made out of a cannon, that is too cool!