Early Orange RK Ribbon

[Bob Hritz]

This is a good photo of the early orange ribbon. It has 20 rows in the white section. This was one of the ribbons taken from Deschler.

I know there is always discussion about the number of thread strands in the white section. This ribbon breaks the rule, but is none the less original.

Bob Hritz

[Erickn]

Hi Bob,

Very interesting, what is the width?

Thanks
E.

[cobra-2001]

This is a good photo of the early orange ribbon. It has 20 rows in the white section. This was one of the ribbons taken from Deschler.

I know there is always discussion about the number of thread strands in the white section. This ribbon breaks the rule, but is none the less original.

Bob Hritz

Hi Bob I don't think anyone has proved one way or the other that they are not original. I seen the threads but know one has show proof that they are not original. I know what you are saying most only want the right thread rows 23 or more or they say not original. Cliff

[Leroy]

Although most people want ribbons with a 23-25 white thread count, and a width of 45mm, I have no doubt whatsoever that there are legitimate RK ribbons with white thread counts of 20. So far, I have catalogued almost two dozen different ribbon types. I even have three different weave patterns of the very early "orange type" ribbons (not actually orange thread like Bob's original, but the ones with yellow threads interwoven with the red). Ribbons were made by multiple manufacturers and there was never any ban on their sale.

[Rich G]

This was one of the ribbons taken from Deschler.

Bob Hritz

When you say taken from deschler you mean this came from their factory? Why would they have RK ribbon if they didn't make the RK?

Rich

[Dietrich Maerz]

The Präsidialkanzlei issued very specific requirements for the production of ribbons, down to the thread thickness and thread count. I have the requirements for the KVKs but not for the RK of the Iron Cross. Based on that it is safe to say that only one specification was valid and official. Everything else might be (and most likely is) period, but not as the Präsidialkanzlei determined it to be.
I am convinced that the 45 mm is the correct and approved version.

[Leroy]

Yes, I also believe that 45mm was the official width, based on award pieces still in their cases. The problem, of course, was two-fold: First, on several photos, you can clearly see that the ribbon edges protrude from under the collar of the holder (many were smaller in stature than today) and, Second, ribbons tended very often to get dirty/stained when worn under the conditions that many experienced. One U-Boat commander noted in a memoir that, when home on leave, everyone wanted to see him wearing a nice polished cross with a crisp and clean ribbon. I don't think there is any question but that commercial outlets provided replacement ribbons to suit the preferences of the holder.

[Dietrich Maerz]

I absolutely agree. The ribbon, being regulated for the award cross, did not fall under any other later regulations. The multitude of confectioned ribbons are a testament to that.