Can somebody tell me what this is????

[Lemm]

I have my suspicions but I really am not sure what this is. Can anyone enlighten me please.

[Don D.]

A long service device. Or at least perhaps a good copy of one.

[Lemm]

Thanks Don any idea from which state. I sort of figured it was and I guess it is pre 1914 and would have been attached to a ribbon. Is that correct? Why do you think it might be a copy?

Phil

[MauserKar98k]

It looks like it's trying to ape the enameled version of the M1842 Prussian Landwehr Long Service Award for the Medal Bar (Landwehr-Dienstauszeichnung emailliert für Ordensspange). Either that, or it's an unfinished example of one. The detail seems kind of lacking though.

Here's what an original looks like:
http://www.huesken.com/onload/fotos/50546.jpg

And worn on the bar:
http://www.huesken.com/shop/de/preus...gen-60719.html

[Lemm]

Yes I do believe you are correct and when I look at the top where an attachment should be to hold a suspension ring I can see where one has been at some time attached. The detail on the item itself is much better than my horrible scans and it looks bloody legit although I am far from being an expert on such things. Having said that though, I have handled quite a few TR and Imperial awards to kind of get a feel for them and this feels good to me. Its solid and shows no signs of being cast. Its not magnetic and I would say its solid brass with whats left of a gilt finish. Have you ever seen any examples not made from enamel?

[MauserKar98k]

Have you ever seen any examples not made from enamel?

All the ones I've personally seen were enameled. However, I haven't been the the game that long. Maybe some of the other Imperial guys can chime in on this one.

[Valter Gorenc]

This looks to me as unfinished piece. I'm not real expert, but all those medal bar pieces I've seen were enammeled. They were private purcase, and not every recipient of long service bar afforded himself spange piece, so they were of high quality.

[Lemm]

Thanks Valter for your comments and I will leave it at that for now as being an unfinished bar. Many thanks for the help I received.

Phil

[MauserKar98k]

They were private purcase, and not every recipient of long service bar afforded himself spange piece, so they were of high quality.

That I didn't know, interesting.