Saxon NCO/Civil Servant Medal Bar

[Tom Yanacek]

Hello to all,

I posted this one in the Imperial section but figured I would also post it here since it does have a few Third Reich Period decorations on it. An interesting and unusual bar, to say the least: It has non-combatant awards from both the Kingdom of Saxony and the Principality of Reuß. It also has a Spanish Military Merit Cross in the last position. This guy was also a longtime civil servant, with at least 40 years of service. At the time this bar was assembled (1938-1939), its owner was at least 58 years old. Hope you like it!

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

Here is the reverse:

This is a nicely assembled medal bar. The mounting hardware is first-rate, with a brass plate and stainless steel pin and catch. (Very unusual for a bar assembled during the Third Reich.) The square/angular folds to the ribbon rosettes at the bottom of the bar is an indication that this bar was probably assembled in Saxony as this style was prevalent in that area. Also, the 1914-1918 Cross of Honor is made by Wächtler & Lange of Mittweida, Saxony so that is one more indication of an assembly in Saxony.

[5ribbonbar]

It bothers me when people post medal bars of superior quality that I can never find or afford

Looks fantastic...congratulations

[luftkrieg]

As i said over e-mail, a fantastic find Tom, congratulations.

Kind regards
Pierce

[byterock]

Lovely bar indeed.

What do you think the story is behind the differing shades of cornflower blue used for the long service awards??

Different lot of ribbon perhaps??

[Tom Yanacek]

Lovely bar indeed.

What do you think the story is behind the differing shades of cornflower blue used for the long service awards??

Different lot of ribbon perhaps??

Hello,

I would think two different lots of ribbon as you suggest: Either the one was a lighter shade from the get-go, or the dye of that one lot was more susceptible to color-loss.

The possibility also exists that the 40-Year Faithful Service Decoration was added in later, when the recipient decided to upgrade his medal bar. Skilled medal bar assemblers could remove a medal bar virtually intact from off a backing plate and then move it onto a larger plate to allow for subsequent awards to be added in.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

Someone on another forum asked to see closer pictures of the Spanish Military Merit Cross so I figured I would post them here as well. It is a beautiful piece and is the 1875-1931 type, awarded during the reign of King Alfonso XIII.

Best regards,
Tom