What do you think the chances are that this bar has been messed with?
Wayne
Wayne
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IMO I see no red flags based on these photos. Bars can be played with and rare medals added ect and I have seen it done but nothing on this one looks out of place. The spange could have been added but if you have the bar you can look under it to see if it has been there a long time. If it's a bad one I would be suprised. -
When I first saw it I thought that it looked a little too clean. Not what you would expect from something that's been around for a minimum of 60 years.Originally posted by Bcarver View Post
WayneComment
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I'm also thinking that since the two eagles are gold what was there was a 25 and a 12 year award.
Someone added the wreath to make the bar more valuable.
WayneComment
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Thanks Pierce.
WayneComment
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That will teach me to pay closer attention, I didn't even notice the eagles. My first thought was it's too clean also, but I have seen minty bars before. Now that I took the time to study it it I see what you mean.Comment
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Just some info on the regulation wear of Long Service awards.
The LS award came in 4 classes:
4th Class: 4 year (matt silver medal)
3rd Class: 12 year (bronze medal)
2nd Class: 18 year (silver cross)
1st Class: 25 year (golden cross)
These all had corresponding matching gold or silver eagles on their medal & ribbon bars
A Wreath on the ribbon of a 25 year award indicated 40 years LS.
Regulations stated:
"After awarding of the higher class the lower class can also be worn as follows:
3rd class worn with 4th class,
2nd class worn with 4th class,
1st class worn with 3rd class."
This means you wore:
12 year/4 year
18 year/4 year
25 (or 40) year/12 year.
18 year awards were not worn with 25/40 year awards.
This set up should have a 3rd Class 12 Year medal hanging in last place.
As stated above the wreath is for the 40 year LS award which would have been worn on the ribbon of the 25 year award, and should have the 12 Year 3rd class award in last place.
So, the gold eagles & wreath would be correct for this set up.
Now whether or not some one added the wreath later, well that is another issue all together.
Oh, and considering there should be a 12 year award in last place, then I would say someone has messed with this bar to some extent.
Regards,
Chris
Always interested in buying Ribbon Bars or anything Ribbon Bar related!!Comment
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Thanks Chris!
WayneComment
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Messed with for sure, but only a close, in-hand examination of the bar would reveal the extent to which it has been messed with. In the first place, I question whether the 40-year oakleaf device is original to the bar or not. Highly suspect, in my opinion. A senior Bavarian NCO with this much long service would have been in the military by around 1900. For sure he would have been awarded a Prince Regent Luitpold Jubilee Medal of the 1905 type yet it is absent from the bar.
Also, I would question whether the 1939 Spange to the Iron Cross is original to the bar. Once the war got going, not too many senior NCOs or officers were concerned with upgrading their medal bars. They would upgrade their ribbon bars, of course, but most left their medal bars in their pre-war configuration.
If both gold eagle devices are original to the bar, then we do have a 25/12 combination so the 18-Year Long Service does not belong for sure. And, for that matter, since this bar was setup to have removable medals, it is impossible to know for certain whether any of the medals now displayed are original to the bar.
Best regards,
TomMihi libertas necessest!Comment
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