Imperial Austrian 9-Place Medal Bar

[DonC]

Hello, all. Imperial is not really my area, and KuK is even farther afield, but I wanted to show this bar and ask about the medal combination. What grade of officer would earn something like this? Any help much appreciated.

Don

[DonC]

A

[Valter Gorenc]

I'm neither expert, but I'd say a lower grade officer - lieutenant or hauptman at most. He was in military service in 1908 and 1912, and also in WW1 where he earned two signum laudis (awarded only to officers) and "zivil-ehrenkreuz" on military ribbon. Karl's cross indicates frontline service, but nothing more. He didin't earn officer's military merit cross or any higher awards that would be there for any higher rank.

Baden jubilee medal probably indicates one of regiments with Baden connection, like 23. IR Markgraf von Baden, 50. IR Friedrich von Baden - both were hungarian regiments.

I'm a bit concerned about the originality of this bar - first and last ribbon look more worn than the others and the ribbons are too squeezed together IMHO. That's a rather common faking strategy - to make a long bar with lots of common and relatively cheap awards. But let's see what others think.

[DonC]

Thanks, Valter.

Don

[Don D.]

Can we see some shots of the catch please.

[DonC]

I'll take some macros tonight, Don. Any other features folks want to see in detail?

Don

[luftkrieg]

Can we see some shots of the catch please.

This caught my eye also.

[peterm]

"Eisernes Verdienstkreuz" on 2nd place is pure nonsens...

Regards, Peter

[DonC]

Peter, is the second medal in the wrong position relative to others with the same ribbon, or is it more than that?

Don

[luftkrieg]

Baden jubilee medal probably indicates one of regiments with Baden connection, like 23. IR Markgraf von Baden, 50. IR Friedrich von Baden - both were hungarian regiments.

The last medal is not the standard 1902 Baden Jubilee Medal.

Could it be a regimental medal? It's not one I am familiar with.

[Dave Danner]

Peter, is the second medal in the wrong position relative to others with the same ribbon, or is it more than that?

Don

More than that.

The Iron Merit Cross was a low level award, not an officer's decoration. Best case: someone removed another award such as a Military Merit Cross and replaced it with the cheaper award. Worst case: someone put together a bar with a weak knowledge of Austrian precedence.

[DonC]

Thanks, Dave.

Don

[Kondor]

I'm a bit concerned about the originality of this bar - first and last ribbon look more worn than the others and the ribbons are too squeezed together IMHO. That's a rather common faking strategy - to make a long bar with lots of common and relatively cheap awards. But let's see what others think.[/QUOTE]

Don I wouldn't worry about it except that the Iron Military Merit cross may have been swapped out.

Here is a shot of mine, also made using ribbon bar ribbon due to the number of medals on the bar. As you can see from mine, they are not "relatively cheap awards" and the retaining hook is not of the style used by the "Austrian faker". So rest easy

[DonC]

All, thanks for the comments thus far. Here's some more pics of the catch - the last medal is actually a 50 year anniversary medal for Fürst Johann of Liechtenstein, dated (I think) 1903.

Don

[DonC]

Liechtenstein medal: