Austro-Hungarians

[RonR]

Number 23


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[Tim B.]

You are saying that someone added the swords to this medal at a later date...a collector? If incorrect, I guess I'll remove them. It looks like the ribbon on your small bravery medal has holes in it like it had swords at one time as well. Gary

Hi Gary,

Nice Karl version!

On the swords issue, yes, that is my understanding. As this medal was only for wartime bravery, the swords was considered unnecessary and unauthorized. You shouldn't see it on the ribbon bars either.

With that said, it very well could be a case where the veteran, or as you pointed out another collector, could have placed the swords on the ribbon either for embellishment sake, or simply because they thought swords was appropriate. Either way, up to you whether or not to keep them there.

I see this happening on Belgian and French WW1 ODM's, especially on long-service type awards issued or made to veteran's desires.

I also suspect at one point in time, swords or "something" was added then removed from the ribbon on my 2nd class award. The holes are in an odd arrangement though and the swords would not match exactly, so what was on mine is hard to say. This is the way I got it, but swords would have been incorrect.

Hope that helps.

Tim

[Don D.]

The problem with Austrian awards awarded out during the war is that darn war ribbon. Without devices they could be anything (as far as ribbon bars go).

[Tim B.]

Hi Don,

Yes, exactly. You definately need to know your awards and order of precendence here and even then, it's some amount of guesswork for me at least.

Here's a 5-place rbn bar I seen recently. IMO:

The first two ribbons are "probably" for the 1st and 2nd class Miltary Merit Medals (Signum Laudis) as they have swords on them, though I imagine one could be the 3rd Class Military Merit Cross which also had swords authorized in 1916.

You make a good point though, as prior to swords being authorized for any of these awards, how would anyone tell??

Tim

[RonR]

The Marian Neck Cross (Marianer-Halskreuz), and the Marian Cross (Marianer Kreuz des Deutschen Ritterordens)

Founded on March 26 1871 by the "Hoch-und Deutschmeister" for award to Christians of noble blood of both sexes who rendered meritorious service. worthy of some type of recognition, while voluntarily serving in the hospitals of the German Order.

For quite outstanding and excelling services the larger neck cross was often awarded.

First the Cased Marian Cross........


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[RonR]

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[Don D.]

Ron, your Austrian collection is wonderful. If I didn't know better I'd think it was your main focus.

[RonR]

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[RonR]

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[RonR]

Now the Neck Cross.......


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