Swords on ribbon bars

[Hartigan]

Hi to all

I have noticed that the swords on ribbon bars show significant differences between different and the same awards. Is this due to different styles used by different makers?
I was wondering if there are any fake ribbon bars out there (cause some of them, like bars for EKII, KVKs II seem to be very cheap to bother faking them) and the sword shape can be used as a criterion of authenticity.

For demonstration here is a picture of 3 ribbon bars with swords I found on ebay (upper part of the pannel) and one I have (lower part of the pannel).


Thank you in advance
Marios

[Valter Gorenc]

Hi Marios,
the difference is probably due to the different makers - there were plenty of them. Some swords were also in use since imperial times. I'm not aware of fake swords fo these common tipes - for KVK2 and Hindenburg, but some other ribbon devices are heavily faked - to name just EK1 clasp, SS runes and long service eagles. The swords which cross at 90 deg. angle are less common in my opinion, and they are probably older type - used on imperial awards, so they should not be on KVK2 ribbons (but the bar the bar looks genuine - a maker probably used old stocks). In member's section there's a really great article about ribbon bars and their devices.

Hi to all

I have noticed that the swords on ribbon bars show significant differences between different and the same awards. Is this due to different styles used by different makers?
I was wondering if there are any fake ribbon bars out there (cause some of them, like bars for EKII, KVKs II seem to be very cheap to bother faking them) and the sword shape can be used as a criterion of authenticity.

For demonstration here is a picture of 3 ribbon bars with swords I found on ebay (upper part of the pannel) and one I have (lower part of the pannel).


Thank you in advance
Marios