1870 - 1920 11 Place FRAK Medal Bar

[AustinMilitaria]

The ribbon under the LS medal is not an issue. Other ribbons were often used as padding, etc.

You are correct, that ribbon runs the length of the bar under each medal.

A lot of work went into this bar, it is well constructed. Each medal ring is sewn on in 4 places as well as the neck of the medal. All using the same thread and style.

Can anyone date the Max Kust label on the back?

[Brian L.]

You are correct, that ribbon runs the length of the bar under each medal.

A lot of work went into this bar, it is well constructed. Each medal ring is sewn on in 4 places as well as the neck of the medal. All using the same thread and style.

Can anyone date the Max Kiist label on the back?

It's Max Küst. Does anyone know if he was related to Paul Küst?

The bar is after 1922 because the Commemorative Medal of the Union of German Naval Veterans Associations was instituted in November 1922.

[AustinMilitaria]

Is there a medal besides the 1939 War Merit Cross used the colors Red, White, wide black? That seems to be what the ribbon is on the bottom of everything?

[Brian L.]

Is there a medal besides the 1939 War Merit Cross used the colors Red, White, wide black? That seems to be what the ribbon is on the bottom of everything?

I think that ribbon is likely for the Kyffhaüserbund War Commemorative Medal which was instituted in 1922.

[AustinMilitaria]

To me this bar seems like a period piece. All of the medals are sewn on exactly the same, with the same thread and style. It looks like this is exactly how is was made in the 1920's. So why the discrepancies in the medals? And why in the form of a FRAK bar instead of the traditional military style? Maybe was worn by a Charlotte, imposter? Maybe it was a display piece?

So comes the question to strip it down or sell it like it is?

[römischIX]

can you show the jarn and the ring of the IC 1870

[AustinMilitaria]

can you show the jarn and the ring of the IC 1870

Pretty difficult to photograph, the ribbon I sewn on tight around it.

[SCOTT G]

So comes the question to strip it down or sell it like it is?

Even with all the questions that this bar raises I don't think that stripping it down would be a wise idea, not at least until you have 100% proof of it being a "put together" or not. Just my opinion but after all its your bar and therefore your choice as to what you want to do with this piece of history.

Regards,
Scott

[Brian R]

I would like to inspect this bar in person, but it certainly does appear well-constructed and the mountings seem consistent. I have certainly been wrong before, but I am still leaning towards this being a display piece of some kind, possibly made by the firm in which the label is on the back. The order is close but incorrect for the time. Would a jeweler or employee have known that the Albert Order was split into two in 1876 and that it could not have been on a bar with a KDM and 1870 EK?

Either way, I would definitely not take it apart.

[morel5000]

Could you do blacklight on the stitches holding the medals and see if they light up?

Thanks,
Michel

[AustinMilitaria]

Could you do blacklight on the stitches holding the medals and see if they light up?

Thanks,
Michel

No they do not light up. No doubt that this bar was built a long time ago.

[Brian S]

What a confused bar. I would think this guy would have also have earned swords to his RAO given everything else on there... All that with 12 year service medal but starting 1870 and then again in Silesia... Yikes.

[Brian L.]

No they do not light up. No doubt that this bar was built a long time ago.

Perhaps. But, that doesn't make it any less of a cock-up of a bar. By the way, just because the thread doesn't light up doesn't mean that it hasn't been put together. Cotton, UV-negative thread is easy to come by. There are also simple ways to wear and age it so it looks 'period'.

If you're intent on selling it, then the safest thing is to state that you believe it was a display bar made up by the military outfitter Max Küst to show off his wares.

It certainly is not a bar that was worn by anyone and personally, I believe that it was put together at some point in the not too distant past and then aged to look old.

[Brian R]

If you're intent on selling it, then the safest thing is to state that you believe it was a display bar made up by the military outfitter Max Küst to show off his wares.

It certainly is not a bar that was worn by anyone...

Agreed. Regardless if it was a period display or a recent "cock-up" its value is likely limited.

[Don D.]

It is worth the sum of its parts.