O Peter! Friedrich! Ludwig! Would You Come In Here & Put Your House In Order, Please?

[Rick Research]

OK, "they" were actually only ONE guy, the Grand Duke of Oldenburg, in whose memory the Duchy's House Order was created.

These scans are from Steven N up in Canada, and show a SILVER Grand Cross with "swords on Ring." Yes, SILVER. They complicated things by having SEVERAL versions of Grand Crosses.

Here is the obverse:

[Rick Research]

The reverse reveals significant dates in the multiple-named one's life, delicately hand painted (as is the coat of arms) :

[Sam]

Absolutely beautiful! Hand painted! Jeez, Imperial quality over T.R. quantity any day.

[stevenn]

Pfl

Thank you for posting this ,Rick .I have yet to get the straight story on silver vs, gold grand crosses.I have a few silver ones and was lead to believe that silver was for Oldenburgers and gold for foriegners ;however ,I don't know if this is true.Any one out there with statutes for the order?
thanks,stevenn

[Blitz]

Now that is true Imperial quality! Thanks for sharing them Rick!

[Sal Williams]

Hot DAMN these Imperial things are good lookin'!
I darn not ask what it would cost me to own such a thing but,... how much?
Best, Sal

[WNickel]

Hi Rick,

beautiful cross...... ..maybe it is the same......

[stevenn]

Pfl

Where did you find that photo?It looks identicle to mine ,but mine has been in a trunk for decades(since I broke it in the 1950's).The damaged ring looks the same ?Was this a common breaking point as I know it's just about impossible to find them without broken swords.Herr Knaur did have his problems.

[Rick Research]

And on the thought of broken swords, here's another from Steven

[paddywhack]

damn there nice peices!!! this is why im starting to go over to imperail!!!!

[Brian S]

Very nice workmanship.

[stevenn]

art

I have a number of my pieces in a computer file and I can send them for posting;actually,a lot are just closeups of the centres.Anyone interested?

[Rick Research]

The Oldenburg House Order was, I think, probably the most THOROUGH decoration in Germany, with grades foor everybody, and no awkward "in betweens" like most of the other states.

Here's a Merit Cross, not sure if the black iron class or the silver (there was also a gold) with swords-- still from Steven's hoard:

[Rick Research]

and a Merit Cross without swords.

Such versatility-- and all on the same ribbon!

[stevenn]

EK with and without swords

These are both "Iron Grade" badges(technically,they ARE EK's ) ,one of which may belong to the group in the "Oldenburg:one ribbon for all" thread.Although,it might not as there are lots of choices-see the "couple of Oldenburg beauties" thread for more possibilities.