Simple question regarding awards in packets.

[Dez H]

Dear Collectors

We have all seen West Wall medals, War merit Crosses etc, in their original packets of issue. My question is this, did the little ribbon bar devices ever come in these packets or were they purchased privately from tailors/military suppliers?



Dez

[Allan P.]

Hi Dez,

I have only one award in its packet where the ribbon bar is included, a KVK 2nd Klass mit schwertern, all others just come with the ribbon.

Allan

[Rick Research]

Ribbon bars had to be purchased from a military effects retailer or at the "PX," since everyone had different awards.

A draftee getting the Westwall Medal might have nothing, but a 45 year old retread Hauptmann (E) had to add that to his existing ribbon bar.

It wouldn't have made economic sense to issue a single ribbon bar with every award when most recipients probably had something else:

and then had to decide-- 15 mm width ribbon bar or 25 mm size? Or maybe a nice south German style for a few pfennigs more?...

[Dez H]

Thank you for your insight Rick and Allan. I have recently purchased some original War Merit Crosses with and without swords and none of them had ribbon bars, just wanted to check. Thanks


Dez