Help: Franco-Prussian Document and Medal

[captainofthe7th]

Hi all --

I recently picked up this interesting set for a 1870-71 Franco Prussian War medal and document at a flea market. This is far outside of my usual focus of collecting, so it was a bit of a gamble, but given the situation and not finding anything else that day, it seemed meant to be.

I don't know anything about this aside from what I have learned recently in my preliminary research. I am not well versed in German, though I have translated most of the typed words and I understand the premises of the document. I am excited to research the soldier as it appears there are plenty of records on ancestry. However, I can't make out his first name or most of the following cursive script. I think the rank is Musketier and then I can't make out his first name at all.



I am also curious about the Major who has signed the document. And can anyone tell if the piece attached to the medal is a piece of shrapnel or a bullet?





Being that this is not my area of interest, I suspect I will be using it for trading in the future, or at least to help out with future purchases. What can I expect this set to be valued at? I have found less than a few examples online and I just do not feel like that is enough reference to determine and accurate quote.

Thanks in advance for the help. I look forward to browsing and contributing to the Korean War section and am excited to learn more about stuff I don't know! Thanks for having me aboard.

Rob

[streptile]

Hey Rob,

The medal is known as a KDM or Kriegsdenkmünze (War Memorial Medal or War Medal) for the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71. It is a participation medal, not awarded for merit, so everyone got one. Thus they're very common. Originals are made from bronze melted from captured French cannon and will say so along the rim in punched letters.

Original medals sell for about $30-40, and the documents in good condition about the same. I would say the damage to the document is offset somewhat by the unusual and interesting attachment to the medal (shrapnel?) and you could expect to get about $65-75 for the set, although that might be a bit ambitious.

[pauke]

name

It would help to flatten out the doc so as to see all the letters. The vertical fold in the middle is hiding some writing. The name I see is Adolf Koegler which I have written out to avoid the Umlaut.

[Glenn2438]

Major Wormbs

Rob,

your document is signed by Major z.D. Gustav Wormbs (28.3.20- 18.12.87), the Commander of 2. Bataillon (Lingen), Ostfriesisches Landwehr-Regiment Nr. 78.

Regards
Glenn

[Gerdan]

It is "Musketier Christian Adolf Kögler von der 1. Compagnie Ostfriesischen Infanterie Regiment

No. 78"

signed:

Lingen. 1. August 1871

signature, Major z.D. und Bezirks Command..."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingen,_Germany

Gerdan

[muzrub]

Could we see a better shot of the medal? I like how it's displayed, pm me of you choose sell it.

In my opinion the award doc is beyond salvageable and should sold along side the medal without great concern for extra coin.

Cheers,

Jamie.

[captainofthe7th]

Thanks for the quick replies everyone. I've been taking advantage of the humidity and flattening out the document. Here are some much better photos of everything.







The medal is indeed original and marked on the rim as it should be. I searched in the German casualties for the Franco-Prussian War on ancestry and did not get results for Christian Kögler. I'm sure there are a number of explanations...incomplete records, he was never recorded as wounded...or perhaps the shrapnel is just a souvenir and he was never hit.

Well, thank you for the help. Now that I know his full name, perhaps I can learn something about Kögler after some digging.

Rob

[muzrub]

Was that how the medal and ribbon we're originally displayed?

Cheers.

[captainofthe7th]

Was that how the medal and ribbon we're originally displayed?

Cheers.

As far as I can tell, yes. There's slight fading, well 'non-yellowing' I guess where the ribbon was placed over the paper. The whole assembly is held in place with finishing nails or tacs.

Rob

[muzrub]

As far as I can tell, yes. There's slight fading, well 'non-yellowing' I guess where the ribbon was placed over the paper. The whole assembly is held in place with finishing nails or tacs.

Rob

Marvelous!