A tale of 3 ribbon bars.......

[stogieman]

As I often counsel collectors, no matter how bad the perception and/or reality is of a dealer... what is critical is your own ability to pick up on the seller's errors. Recently, a much frowned-upon retailer offered up "his 3 biggest ribbon bars ever"... So obviously a set to one man, he had them listed for sale individually... A 9X, an 11X & a 13X bar. All quite authentic and a matched set spanning this officer's career and whim. Instantly recognizing these as special, I cut my deal and they are enroute (barring Acts of God) to me as we speak. Here's the 3 bars. Now let's not turn this into a "dis da dealer" thread... I only wish everyone to know that opportunities are lost forever, if you don't at least look at a man's wares! Often times, those opportunities are wonderful, provided you educate yourself to what to look for! Here's the group:

[David S]

I debated these for quite a while but the $$$ scared me away.

I have said it before . . . You have to sift through a lot of dung to find the rose.

I am glad they are going to a good home .

[landsknechte]

Out of curiosity, who was the dealer?

--Chris

[Deruelle]

Der Rittmeister

The 3 ribbon bars are beautiful

In the past I have bought a beautiful ribbon bar with only wartime ribbons and the biggest one passed away. And now, 15 years later I still haven't got the biggest one.

Regards

Christophe

Out of curiosity, who was the dealer?

--Chris

[Rick Research]

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[Rick Research]

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[Rick Research]

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[Daniel Krause]

Ach Rick, Reichsheer is sooo comfortable small!
Is he still active in 1925? Then I know who he is tomorrow.

BTW, thats the typical Reichsheer sh***t that they did not mention older foreign peacetime stuff!

[stogieman]

Yes, yes, yes!!

Thanks much to the incredible, visceral fortitude and tenacity, my "Evil-Twin" rapidly reached and plucked this General's name from obscurity and back to the forefront of history.
But the gem is the superb networking of Rick in the US and Glenn in the UK that make this puzzle come together so rapidly! KUDOS to the best research group to be found! (no offense Werner )

So often, as with the big minty bar I have on eStand, the research results in:

[Rick Research]

.

[stogieman]

hmmmmm....

... not much interest, eh? Well here's who our boy is:

Kurt SCHREIBER born 1 April 1875 Bad Langenschwalbach, alive 1956 Göttingen
Army 1 March 1894 to 31 January 1931 and 1 September 1939 to 31 March 1943:

Leutnant 18.8.95 N3n in Inf Rgt 42 "Prinz Moritz von Anhalt-Dessau" to Inf Rgt 148 1897

Oberleutnant 22.4.05 B7b

Hauptmann 27.1.11 Q5q

Major 27.1.17 Zz/ #6

Oberstleutnant 1.5.22 #3

Oberst 1.2.27 #6

Generalmajor 1.10.29

char. Generalleutnant aD 31.1.31

Generalleutnant zV 1.2.41

From Inf Rgt 148, many years before WW1 (by 1905) as Adjutant of the Haupt-Kadettenanstalt, Berlin-Lichterfelde, where he earned PL4 by 1907, and SLH3 and SE5 by 1908, adding PK4 and HSH3b by 1912)

When promoted to Captain, transferred to Hessian Inf Rgt 168. Wartime seniority lists show him as on staff of Cadet School Plön rather than in Inf Rgt 168, though the 1914 Rank List and the Honor Rank List show him in Inf Rgt 168, as does the 1923 Rank List. No staff service in WW1.

1922-24 in Reichswehrministerium, 1923 as 3<SUP>rd</SUP> in command of the Army Inspection for Instruction and Training (In 1/RWM)

1924 Commander Ist Battalion, Inf Rgt 16

1928 Chief of Army Personnel Office Section 2 (P2/RWM)

Commandant of Berlin 1 February 1930 to retirement 31 January 1931.

Recalled for WW2 as Commander of Division 430 1 September 1939, CO of OberFeldKommandantur (OFK) Osnabrück 1.12.39, commander of OFK 10.5.40, Chief of Military Administration, District Northwest France 1 July 1940, and lastly Commandant of Hannover 1 December 1941 to retirement.

Before WW1: Anhalt Jubilee Medal 1896, Kaiser Wilhelm Centenary Medal 1897, Prussian Crown Order 4<SUP>th</SUP> Class (PK4), Saxe-Ernestine House Order-Knight 2<SUP>nd</SUP> (HSH3b), Schaumburg-Lippe House Order 3<SUP>rd</SUP> Class (SLH3), Persian Order of the Sun and Lion-Officer (PL4), Siamese Order of the White Elephant-Knight (SK5)

WW1: Prussian Iron Crosses 1<SUP>st</SUP> and 2<SUP>nd</SUP> Classes, Hessian Bravery Medal (HT), Hamburg Hanseatic Cross (HH), Black Wound Badge

Post WW1: Prussian XXV Years Service Cross (1920), Hindenburg Cross for Frontfighters. Probably KVKs 1<SUP>st</SUP> and 2<SUP>nd</SUP> Classes with Swords WW2.

[Blitz]

Incredible achievement! That was some great research guys! And congratulations to the very happy owner!

[Klaus O.]

Dear Rick,

What can I add more... it's a magnificent set of ribbon bars... and more important you have a completely researched career of an old officer... what do you want more? Just perfect. My compliments!

Ciao,

[Brian R]

Dear Rick,

What can I add more... it's a magnificent set of ribbon bars... and more important you have a completely researched career of an old officer... what do you want more? Just perfect. My compliments!

Ciao,

Definately an excellent group.

This is a perfect example of how great this board is. I feel like the Imperial Forum is a special, low key place within the WCA forums. The knowledge and professionalism on this board is next to none. Where else can you present such nice bars to collectors with similar interests and be able to decipher the history behind these pieces using the expertise of two people on two separate continents?

Brian

[stogieman]

Exactly!

This forum is the creme of the crop... the ability to pick apart history and put faces to these nameless bars can be found in these halls (as it were) and no place else on the forum. Even our friend Werner only plays in here!! This ability and pool of minds is unique and very special!
I cannot thank Rick & Glenn enough for their help, skill and references!
Thanks guys, you are the best!