German / Spanish Medal Bar

[5ribbonbar]

I bought this medal bar some time ago and wanted to have it checked out. When I got it, it was minus the EK2 and Merit Cross so I just added them. I got the EK2 I think from the Lakesidetrader.com, but I could be mistaken so if there is anything wrong with it assume I did not get it there.

The ribbon ring loop on the cross has been stretched at some point. The ribbon ring itself if marked ' 15 '.

The merit cross should perhaps be without swords according to the ribbon but for now I just threw a sworded version on.

Looking to see if the mount itself looks okay.

Thanks in advance for any opinions.

Cheers,

Glen

[5ribbonbar]

a few more...

[5ribbonbar]

Hello Guys,

Still hoping to hear some comments on this bar.

I am also going to post it in the EK section so I can get some feedback.

Cheers,

Glen

[George Stimson]

Well, the EK 2 is certainly a good "15", wherever you got it.

[mrg]

Hi Glen worn medals really pristine ribbons and a slightly worn reverse would be a warning sign for me, maybe a put together award, lets see what others think.

[mrg]

forgot to say the awards look to be originals. Regards

[Chris Taylor]

Of course this could be a period bar, but to me personally, it looks like the case of a post war assembled bar trying to look like a period hero.

As already pointed out the ribbons are pristine, yet the medals are worn.

So at the very least these are most likely not the original awards to this bar.

This type of medal bar is just about the easiest kind to make, all you need is the backing, front tabs, a few lengths of ribbons & medals, and voilà, there you have a decent looking period medal bar.

Another point of concern for me is the fact that here you have the top 2 medal bar bravery combat awards, and a rare Spanish service award, yet no Long Service, no Flower award, let alone an Ost or West Wall. Of course possible. . . but probable?

Once again, this is only my opinion, but I wouldn't feel comfortable having it in my collection as a 100% original period example.

[EK-collector]

Seems orignal medals put together with fake ribbon set up

[Gregorio Torres]

I´ve never seen this kind of medalbar in use in period pictures, and it´s the first one I find in this forum. Usually the ribbons have the tipical prusian, austrian or bavarian way of being mounted, but the reverse of the bar looks ok for me. I don´t know.

[McCulloh]

This "srtaight" bar set up was used-but rarely. There are a few photos of them in wear-but vastly outnumbered by the furled medal bars.
I suspect the medals are original and someone has made a "new" bar out of post 1945 ribbons and an original part. Note the Spanish medal-anything foreign was rare-ish and the Spanish campaign medal is STILL being made today 72 years after the end of the Spanish Civil war.

[Gregorio Torres]

You are right. The spanish medal of this bar is not the issue awarded in 1938-39 to the Legion Condor members.

[luftkrieg]

This "srtaight" bar set up was used-but rarely. There are a few photos of them in wear-but vastly outnumbered by the furled medal bars.
I suspect the medals are original and someone has made a "new" bar out of post 1945 ribbons and an original part. Note the Spanish medal-anything foreign was rare-ish and the Spanish campaign medal is STILL being made today 72 years after the end of the Spanish Civil war.

I would agree with McCulloh who has summed this up very well.

Kind regards
Pierce