Luftwaffe 8-Ribbon Bar

[JasonA]

Hi,

I was chatting with a fellow forum member about a Prussian 4-medal bar I have, and when I shared pictures of the few other bars I own, concerns were raised about this one.

Since this is not my specific area of expertise, I wanted to get some feedback from the experts here. This originally came from The Collectors Guild in Canada. I know they have a great reputation with some stellar originals, but everybody makes mistakes from time to time.

Your feedback and expertise are sincerely appreciated.

Best regards,

Jason

[Chris Taylor]

I will reserve comment for the time being, any chance of getting clearer photos, especially of the back?

[JasonA]

Thanks for the prompt reply, Chris. I appreciate it.

After doing a search on ribbon bars here, my thoughts are that it may indeed be post-war built. But I will let the final call come from you guys with more experience than I.

Let me see if I can get some additional shots now and I'll post them shortly.

J-

[JasonA]

2 more of the front...

[JasonA]

2 more of the back...

Apologies in advance the poor quality of the photos. I know that doesn't help. It's my fiance's older digital camera and I can't for the life of me get clear shots.

J-

[luftkrieg]

Reproduction in my opinion. It looks like an Ohio fake.

Pierce

[JasonA]

Thanks, Pierce. That is my assessment as well, but I would like to get a consensus from a handful of you advanced guys before I seek a refund.

Hopefully others will have an opportunity to throw their two-cents in over the weekend.

Best regards,

Jason

[J C Gray]

It has 'Ohio Fake' written all over it. The brass pin, snipped-out catch and the double thread stitching are the most obvious red flags.

[Don D.]

I concur.

[5ribbonbar]

For me, that catch is a dead giveaway. Also, just the general condition of the bar is just too nice. Certainly there are ' mint ' pieces out there but this one is a little too new looking.

The seller is reputible so you should have no problem sending it back.

Cheers,

Glen

[JasonA]

Glen, Don, JC and Pierce - thank you very much for your feedback! It's truly appreciated. If it's a fake, I feel better with a resounding concensus than some sort of split.

It may not be an issue, as I've never had to return anything after an initial inspection period, but are any of you published authors on the subject? Since I don't know you guys yet (I've only recently forayed into this section of the forums), I thought I'd ask.

Please understand that's not to minimize or disqualify any feedback provided. I'm just trying to build as much of a case as possible. If you guys are all advanced collectors with numerous years under your belts in this area, then that probably is good enough for a reasonable return (it sure is good enough for me!). And it certainly should be good enough for TCG.

Thanks so much,

Jason

[paddywhack]

jason do a search under "Ohio fake" or something similar here on WAF via the search function and you will see many many many many other fake bars with the back and catch JUST like this one! the ohio fakes when they first came out were a mess when it came to order of the ribbons,now however they have started to get the order of ribbons right however the back and catch are the same!!!once you see some others you will see your is sadly fake!!sorry!!

[JasonA]

Thanks for the feedback, paddywhack. Yeah, before I had originally posted shots, I did a few searches, and already had begun to form an opinion on it. But at the end of the day, the guys who have been specializing in this stuff for a number of years certainly trump my assessment.

The bad thing is it's fake. The nice thing is at least my initial leanings - after seeing other fakes posted on this forum - was correct. And everybody has been very supporting lending their experience.

I appreciate it!

J-

[Chris Taylor]

Hello Jason,

Sorry for my delayed response. Based on your additional photos, and as has already been said, I'm afraid this one is not an original period bar.

The rear construction technique (mainly the backing assembly and stitching) are what are commonly referred to as an "Ohio fake", as a gentleman in that area of the country is notorious for these types of bars.

Another pause for concern in the future would be the overall "newness" in appearance of the ribbons and devices. Many of the ribbons and parts used in these types of fakes are of period manufacture, but I'm not so sure about the spange here.

This is not the first questionable bar I have seen on the website where you purchased this. Of course I am in no way saying that the dealer in question is a fraud, sometimes things do slip through the cracks.

Personally I feel it is important for me to be well educated and use the forum for all it's worth, getting a 2nd opinion when needed.

Sorry you got stuck on this one. Hopefully you will be able to get a refund.

[JasonA]

No worries, Chris! Thank you very much for your thoughts and expertise.

Best regards,

Jason