eight piece medal bar...

[J Temple-West]

I've just received this medal bar, with return privileges, and would like some opinions as to It's authenticity.. Yes, the DAK medal is incorrectly positioned (not too unusual) but the overall condition, the way the ribbons have moulded themselves to the backing plate, etc seems right for a period piece..
Rick, would such a set-up be correct for a busy veteran, or......

Thanking you, in advance....

[Rick Research]

OK... I am now getting TOTALLY paranoid-- this is like the fourth MINT medal bar with Rumanian awards on it that has turned up on this Forum in the last TWO weeks... and that's as many as I've seen in 20 years!

We need to get WHERE THESE ARE COMING FROM, because my radar is going off the charts!

Nothing wrong from the front. I agree, the Afrika medal was often considered a "German" award by the recipients, and following German practice, period mismounted that way...

and since the Italian awards could only have been worn until they switched sides, how often could a parade medal bar have been worn, so it SHOULD be "mint," right? Even the Rumanian Star Order is on the correct war ribbon. (Is the Rumanian campaign medal marked "P. Grant" under Mommy Rumania, or not?)

BUT: I do not like that HOOK one tiny little bit. At ALL. It's the same sort of wire stock as the pin. What is the entire metal backing plate made out of? It should be steel. If it is BRASS....


would everybody who has, or has handled, or has posted pix of mint WW2 bars with Rumanian awards recently please jump back in here and compare notes?????????

[J Temple-West]

Hi Rick, The backing plate is made of steel and the pin is machine pointed.. the Rumanian campaign medal has no "P. Grant" under Mommy Rumania which, I take It, means that It's of German manufacture... All the medals have equal a 'wear', all seem to be early, the Rumanian Star Order has small chip at the point where the 1st Oct rest's... The Ek2 has more frosting on the back than the front... I managed to lift one end of the ribbons, to check the plate, so was able to see the stuffing used... It seems to be a course type of cotton wool which seems to have gone a light brownish, aged colour... As I said before, the ribbons have gone that stiff, shaped to the contours sort of thing, which I look for in a medal bar..

Does this Information give us any more clues to It's being right?
I've attached a pic of the hinge plate that's been soldered to the backing plate..

Any way Rick, thanks for your time.. appreciate It..

[Daniel Krause]

Hi,

I do not at all like the backside. This needle system is very odd and like Rick says not typical. Especially the hook is too long than usual.
I am not sure if it is put together, what You describe sounds good, but I would be careful.

Best regards

Daniel

[McCulloh]

I'd like to see the ring at the top of the Crusade medal. Cast line on ring or die struck?
still, from this angle that one looks ok. But I'm with Rick-waaaaay too many bars out there with "foreign" awards on 'em are coming up-and too new too. This has been going on for @5 years now.

[Mark S.]

Man, that is one hell of a medal bar. So much activity though. Its one of those things where you want it to be real because it so glorious, but the other side of your brain makes you start asking questions...

I am curious,

What exactly were the conditions that would enable a German soldier to be awarded the Rumanian awards?

The Italian medal was prohibited in an order dated March 29 1944. Barring the unknown circumstances regarding the Rumania medals, every award on this bar could feasibly be possible for a bar made up to that point. If real, this guy was kicking ass all over the place.

Man, can you imagine what this guys Wehrpass looked like?!

Jeff, is the Italy medal maker marked? Doesnt have to be, but these medals were made in an early bronze type metal and later ones in bronze washed zinc. The maker mark is usually on the early ones.

[Mark S.]

Oh yea, I have Romanian medal on a bar. Absolutely no problems with this for me.

[McCulloh]

Hi Mark:
Sure,
I'll start another thread later today-I'm off fishing this morning (note time of post). Rick also has a number of 3rd Reich medal bar in wear snaps.
But in reference to the above-I was referring to the Rumanian Crusade medal-not for markings or makers' stamp, but to see if there is a cast line at thew ring-a sure fire method of denoting a post war Crusade medal.

[J Temple-West]

Good afternoon Gentlemen, thank's to one and all for your comments and advice.. Due to too many doubts the bar has been returned to the seller..
Jeff, no cast line, It looked to be an original German made piece..
Talking of 'cast lines' hope your fishing went well...

[Macmedal]

Another Bar with a Rumanian Medal.

[McCulloh]

a new thread?

Hi Mark:
I'm back-wetter but happier as I actually got a brookie.
Here's a snap of a bar in wear:

[McCulloh]

ooops sorry, my scanner is hesitating, let's try again...

try again...

[Daniel Krause]

Hi Jeff,

NIIICE pic! Rare to see something like that!
BUT I assume this pic is before the war, end of the 30ies.
Most of the guys already had WW1 and Imperial awards and the medal bars are just "upgraded" 1934 (Frontkämpferkreuz) and end of the 30ies (long service awards, Air defense, flower wars)

Best regards

Daniel

P.S. May anybody show pics from pure 3rd reich medal bars in wear?