A Southwest Africa Medal Bar With TWO Bavarian Rarities

[Rick Research]

This former career Schutztruppen NCO retired before WW1 and went into Reichs civil service, being recalled for WW1 as a Feldwebelleutnant.

Note the WW1 Bavarian MVK1X (? 700 awarded) on frontline ribbon, the M1905-13 Bavarian MVK2X (? probably under 300 awarded), and the Prussian/Reichs XV years service cross-- with no Bavarian Luitpold Jubilee medal. Although obviously a Bavarian national, this man's service was with the Imperial colonial forces, not the Bavarian army before WW1.

[Rick Research]

The reverse

[Rick Research]

Closeup of the two MVKs. Even with swords, the M1905 was on the statute ribbon, only changed for wartime awards from 1914.

[Christian L]

really great medal bar rick
very rar in this combination

[Rick Research]

Closer for the M1905 MVK2X. Because it is tightly sewn in, I can't get the rest. Note that unlike the M1913 MVK2, this is not only in REAL silver, but there is no enamel on the obverse center disk.

[Rick Research]

Also in contrast with the later M1913 type, the obverse and reverse center disks are flat and the obverse royal cypher and reverse Bavarian lion are separate pieces, not a one piece "hub cap" like the M1913 version.

[Rick Research]

The campaign bars "Hereroland" (= 1904/05) and "Gross-Namaland" (= 1905/06) were for general operations in those areas, and not for specific battles. As a result, they are the most common bars found. Note the unofficial soft gilt XV Years Service Cross-- a type seemingly preferred by former career NCOs with enough pensionable time in to have been discharged as Leutnants aD under Weimar's 1920 rules. Because this man only has an XV and not an XXV, combined with his Third Reich 40 Years Civil Service Cross (prior military service was included), this indicates he likely did his 12 years service (overseas service counted double) and went into the civil service before WW1, being recalled for frontline service.

[stogieman]

Super bar!

Nice bar Rick, I don't remember seeing this one before!

[Klaus O.]

Great bar Rick!! When did you buy it? I really like this kind of double Bavarian MVK's bars. Excellent!

Ciao,

Claudio

[Daniel Krause]

Hi Rick,

exellent bar with rare pieces! Congratulations! This one would fit in the Siebentritt collection!

Best regards

Daniel