Veterans Assosciation Medals

[Nigel N]

Hi Guys, after the interest shown in a couple of medalbars with vets assosciation medals on them, i thought i'd start a thread on them!!
Hope thats ok? I know they're not 57ers, but the early ones date from the same period we like to collect, and can be found in vets groupings etc.
So, if you have any vets. assosciation medals, please post them here!!!
I'll start with this cross from the Bayernbund, their awards usually carry the motto "In Treue Fest"medals 665.jpg

medals 669.jpg

[Nigel N]

This one is in silver, and is for 40 years membership.......medals 666.jpg

medals 670.jpg

[Nigel N]

Ribbon in the Bavarian colors of light blue/ white, pinback to be worn as a stand alone medal, enamel disc soldered to cross with "40"...medals 668.jpg

medals 667.jpg

[Nigel N]

Closeup of makers name.......Deschler!medals 671.jpg

[Nigel N]

This is a pinback cross for another Bavarian Assosciation, the BKV.
These were made in both normal medal form, and pinback, both types can be found in Bronze, Silver & Gold. The BKV still award many medals and badges, but have stopped awarding this one in the pinback style.medals 687.jpg

medals 689.jpg

[Nigel N]

Heavy cross, of good quality, again enameled disc soldered onto cross, with unusual pin/hinge setupmedals 688.jpg

medals 690.jpg

[Nigel N]

closeup of hinge & catchmedals 694.jpg

medals 692.jpg

[Nigel N]

On the reverse it says... MAX SCHWINGER - PLATTLING
Schwinger was the first BKV chairman for the district of Lower Bavaria, and held that position from 1960 to 1975, Plattling i think is district HQmedals 691.jpg

[Peter Wiking]

Interesting decorations! Thanks for showing them.

Peter

[Mike Yokum]

I echo Peter's thoughts. VERY interesting, not only in their historical significance to German soldaten, but also in their style of manufacturing! Check the jump ring on the first (Deschler) award and the hinge block, pin and catch on the second from a maker I've never heard of before seeing this piece. Really cool and rather unique techniques used there!

[streptile]

Yes, they are interesting ones. There does seem to be a craze for veteran's association medals, in the Wehrmacht, Imperial and 57er forums.

Mike, the jumpring setup on the Deschler piece is reminiscent, to me, of their EK2 setups, in which the jumpring was hard-soldered into a hole located on a lug at the top of the EK frame. The one we see here is loose, but then some evolution is to be expected.

Another interesting feature on the first piece is the presence of the oakleaf motif -- the only signifier of bravery in combat to have featured in the design of German decorations, both official and unofficial, for almost 200 years.

[Nigel N]

Thanks for your comment guys, i noticed the similarities to Deschler EK suspension on the Bayernbund medal, but i thought i'd see if anyone else thought the same!
The BKV 2nd class medals are very similar, and some of those are also MM'd for Deschler!!
-Nigelp0204.gif

[Nigel N]

Heres a nice little veterans grouping from the Kyffhauserbund, including several S & L produced pieces.
The Kyffhauserbund has along history as a veterans and resevists group, it was taken over by the nazi's during the Third Reich period, and was disbanded at the wars end. It was re-established in 1952.medals 533.jpg

[Nigel N]

Ther are several stickpins in the group.....medals 539.jpg


Including 25 & 40 year membership pins

[Nigel N]

Pins for small caliber rifle shooting, these have the "0" mark....medals 540.jpg
And the full size badge in bronze.....medals.jpg