Which would YOU acquire?

[Ralph A]

I'm going to buy one of these and would like your opinions? First of five:

Nothing too special as far as I can see, but it's pretty and it has the bars and that other tinnie-looking thingy as a bonus.

[Ralph A]

Second of five

It has the Skagerrak bar, which I take to be not so commonplace!

[Ralph A]

Three of five:

To a Luebecker. The decoration on the end is a "Weimar Republic German fire-brigade honour cross, 1928-1934".

[Ralph A]

Four of five

This one has a couple of nice orders.

[Ralph A]

Five of five

To a Mecklenburger. So, of the five, and you could have one (or 2), which would it (they) be? Bear in mind that I don't have many medal bars I'd be acquiring this for aesthetic appeal and relative rarity only, not to fill a hole in my collection.

Thanks for your help and opinions. I'll place the order this evening.

[Gerd Becker]

Hi Ralph,

thats indeed not so easy. As i like prussian stuff most, i would choose nr.4. Next would be Nr.5, then 1,3,2. Thats my choice.

I suppose, you want to buy the most uncommon bar? Then it would be Nr .3, then Nr. 5.

best,
Gerd

[McCulloh]

#5

and #3 -I think its' a Vatican order of some sort. The Lubecker screams jr. officer d Reserve or jr. naval officer/Snr. NCO. If it is a "Pope Gregory IXth order-then its' probably tracable, since the Vatican has maintained its medal rolls (just nobody ever goes and researches them).
However, isn't that a large Austrian GOLD bravery medal? If it is, isn't it a bit odd to a German?

[JensF.]

I would buy Nr. 5 but Nr. 4 is also a beauty. Maybe all of them? Difficult question...

[stogieman]

Hey Ralph!

I'd buy #5 first, strictly on "visual appeal", although that is a pretty rare group! My second choice would be the one with the Fire Brigade Cross, which is pretty darn rare and IMO the next "up & coming" award.
There will be a book coming out at somepoint concerning this interesting subject. Think some of these are expensive now?? Just wait until interest is stirred by the book!

[Rick Research]

Yeah, I'd go with the Weimar era Fire decoration*/Lübeck bar too-- but you haven't given us PRICES to help evaluate decision making.

I just saw the Weitze Red Eagle/Crown Orders bar on his update yesterday, and while nice and fresh, there is no way to identify him, which makes my interest fizzle as soon as I see the € price tag and start converting into Real Murcan Money.

That last FREAK bar with the trifolds is so horribly homemade it makes me No Mecklenburger in his right mind would have worn an Aniquey Saxonish THING like that. Bleaugh!


* If you end up with this one (and Lawd Alone knows how one arrives at a price for non official stuff) I know somewhere in my ancient 1970s-early 1980s OMSA magazines there's an article with the exact name (Saint Barbara s involved, I think) and dates of this all-but Bavarian MVO looking piece. Here are TWO classes of it being worn in 1934 in Nuremberg:

[Ralph A]

Ahhh, yes.

#3 was my inclination. Thank you for the input. But...

Weitze also has these....

...decisions, decisions. What to do?

[stogieman]

hey Ralphie...

naughty, naughty boy! No schazstickahs in Imperial!
My "twin" will be traumatized!!

[McCulloh]

WoW!! I figured a Vatican medal...you learn something every day.
What do you think of the Austrian medal though? Possible? Probable without something else????

[Eric Stahlhut]

I think that Saint Barbara is actually the patroness of Artillerymen. There is a Barbarakreuz. Comes in both first and second classes, has blue-enameled arms.I like #3 and #5.

[Ralph A]

No trauma.

Just a little fun. I bought the bar indicated (I think ... hopefully still available), and will post pics when it arrives.

I'm going to grab one of the pilot's badges also, after a little more research. I'll put it on the Luftwaffe dress tunic I won in the raffle!

Thanks again for the input.

By the way... here's the back: