Weird Cross

[AUSGANG]

I know that this has nothing to do with Imperial military awards but I thought I would give it a shot on this forum...

Solid iron, 1.75 inches on each side, reads "Jan 28 1915 Deutches Essen" on the obverse, "BPOE No 3" on the reverse. I know that BPOE is a fraternal organization but what's the connections with Germany in WW1??

I know that there are serious Imperial collectors out there who may think this is a waste of time but I'm very curious about this and thought this forum a good place to start...Sorry if I've offended anyone...

[AUSGANG]

r

[morel5000]

Looks a bit like the "schandkreuz", see mine.

The only thing I could find was that the 28 Jan 1915 was the first sinking of an American ship by the Germans.

See

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-h...-merchant-ship

Best regards,
Michel

[AUSGANG]

Thanks for the reply and link. Tomorrow I'll post another propaganda cross too...

[AUSGANG]

Here's the packet for the Kultur coss

[Ammersee]

Doesn't the ELKS CLUB use the letters BPOE? Maybe... Brotherhood and Paternal Order of Elks. ??? Gary

[gregM]

First time I have ever seen an original package for one of these.
Thanks for posting it.

[MauserKar98k]

I've never seen the packet for one of these either. Thanks for showing!

[Ammersee]

The date on the medal...Jan 28, 1915, is the date that the American merchant ship William P. Frye was sunk by a German cruiser. This was the first ship sunk, followed in May by the linking of the Lusitania. Gary

[msd21]

Weird Cross

These types of crosses have many names, "Spoof Iron Cross" and "Schandkreuz" is just some of them.

The "BPOE" type, i have never seen before, it is very interesting. It could be a American version of the cross, there are others from america, among them a cross with a "spike-helmet" and the inscription; To Der Kaiser.

I also have a Scottish produced cross; on the front "Crown + W + 1915" and on the reverse "Stewart Lambs + 56 Northbridge + Edinburgh + Draper". So this cross is with an "add" for a local draper, that probaly pay'ed for the production.

My first guess on the "BPOE No.3" could be that it was produced by members of the BPOE Lodge 3, San Francisco, as a support to the british wareffort.

Normally these crosses was sold to raise funds to figth the war against germany.

I have around 20 different crosses in my collection, but i cant show pic's in this forum - sorry.

Regards

Mads

[MauserKar98k]

These types of crosses have many names, "Spoof Iron Cross" and "Schandkreuz" is just some of them.

The "BPOE" type, i have never seen before, it is very interesting. It could be a American version of the cross, there are others from america, among them a cross with a "spike-helmet" and the inscription; To Der Kaiser.

I also have a Scottish produced cross; on the front "Crown + W + 1915" and on the reverse "Stewart Lambs + 56 Northbridge + Edinburgh + Draper". So this cross is with an "add" for a local draper, that probaly pay'ed for the production.

My first guess on the "BPOE No.3" could be that it was produced by members of the BPOE Lodge 3, San Francisco, as a support to the british wareffort.

Normally these crosses was sold to raise funds to figth the war against germany.

I have around 20 different crosses in my collection, but i cant show pic's in this forum - sorry.

Regards

Mads

I'm sure someone here would be willing to post the pic for you.

[AUSGANG]

Thanks for all the information, guys! Here is another that I had but sold it and now regret it! Do any of you know of a listing of these someplace? I'd love to see the variety... I have one with the spike helmet and "To der Kaiser" inscription...

[msd21]

Thanks for all the information, guys! Here is another that I had but sold it and now regret it! Do any of you know of a listing of these someplace? I'd love to see the variety... I have one with the spike helmet and "To der Kaiser" inscription...

You'll find something about them on "GWF" and in "The Danish Arms Society".

[RonR]

Another "Kaiser Kross".........


.......................

[RonR]

And perhaps a connection to the B.P.O.E.

As here is a B.P.O.E. delegate's badge from the State Of Wisconsin, and the same delegate's badge from German Day in Newark N.J in 1910..........


........................