Knight's Cross ribbon "used"

[Dave Kane]

Lost to history but allegedly to a Panzer man...

Who else has neck ribbon showing use?

[Dave Kane]

1

[Dave Kane]

2

[Dave Kane]

3

[George Stimson]

It's interesting that you should post that, Dave, because I was just thinking today about how many RKs I see in the cases with the ribbons not used at all. What percentage of RKs that you see have the ribbon "used" as the one above is, and what percentage seem never to have been worn?

[Dave Kane]

George, the cased RK's may be a bit mis-leading as the ribbon may look complete but might be missing 6 to 10" as it seems common that a bit of ribbon was cut and used for the neck ribbon and then other guys used any sort of neck hanger...

I've seen quite a few 'cased' sets with only 2/3rds +/- of the original 73cm of ribbon.


I have picked these up over the years and even had displays of different 'methods' of wearing but as my collecting tastes changed I sold a few...

Really incredible are the number of 'manner' in which these things were used!

[George Stimson]

Good point! (I can't say that I've unraveled all the ribbons! )

[tom hansen]

That is great, Dave! All mine are "snipped" and do not have the actual worn portion of the ribbon. Given the fact that there are few crosses that have the worn "wearer's ribbon", I wonder how many of these are out there. I think one of the reasons for the long ribbon in the initial award is illustrated by Dave's cross. Who knows- there may have been the supposition that these were going to be worn over several decades and the full lenght of the ribbon would be needed over that time span, piece by piece.

[Dave Kane]

George, I have several others but I'd like to see those in other collections prior to showing mine....this could be a lot of fun!

[Tim Calvert]

I'd always looked at those mint ribbons in the case and thought "What a crock!" But your ideas make a lot of sense.
That's why I stay out of the RK discussions, I realize I don't know schiesse!

Here's the backside of my worn ribbon. The cross is a veteran of over 500 ground attack missions.

[ChrisJ]

Hooks

Some attachment detials for you....Luftwaffe awarded K&Q cross.

[Harry]

A 7 inch length of ribbon, pinch sewn in centre, and ties sewn to each end.

[Harry]

reverse.......

[Harry]

closer on the centre..........

[Dave Kane]

Another!