Russian freikorps badge?

[von Mackensen]

Hi everyone!
Can you help me with the identification of this cross?
The seller said that this is russian freikorps badge for west armies (honestly, i see a totenkopf's like skull with mounted swords on a black johanniter's cross...)
I know that in white army there are a lot of cross with skulls insignia (like Bermont-avalov's cross) but this one looks for me, a bad copy of Bermont-avalov's one.
What do you think?

[von Mackensen]

Here two photos of Bermont-avalov:




In these, he wears the Avalov's cross on the left side and the skull and the swords aren't there!

An art of soldiers of russian white army that fight the comunist army under general Bermont-Avalov:


The soldier in the middle, wears Avalov's cross (and the same cross patch sleeve as Avalov in the photo).

I Can't understand why, if the real Avalov's cross isn't with skull and swords, there are a lot of sites etc. with some different types of crosses with these two icons....maybe a post war association badge?

[Brian L.]

It's is the Avalov Cross 1st class worn as a neck decoration. But, it's fake. These turn up all the time on eBay. Originals are nearly impossible to find.

The cross worn above the pocket in the drawings and photo was more of a unit insignia/service cross worn by all members of the Russian Westarmee.

[von Mackensen]

Thanks a lot bolewts58 for your precious advice.
Searching on web, i red that this is the original one:

[Brian L.]

I don't believe the second one you show is original either.

I believe there were two types of skulls: similar to a Danzig style and a Brunswick style, but not exactly. The story about this award is that Bermondt-Avalov sold them to those who supported his aspirations and as a result, the cross didn't carry much cache at the time.

I found this illustration and I think this is one plausible design for the award such as it was. I think as shown here, the silver border was wider than is apparent on the many fakes out there.

[von Mackensen]

Another interesting post my friend, thanks a lot!