Saxe-Weimar Medal Bar

[Tom Yanacek]

Hello to all,

Here is a recent acquisition to my medal bar collection. This bar was to a commissioned officer from Saxe-Weimar. It features the Order of the White Falcon, Knight's Cross Second Class with Swords as well as a 1937-1939 pattern Red Cross Decoration Second Class. The Red Cross Decoration is actually a 1934-1937 pattern that was jeweler-modified to 1937-1939 standards. If you look closely, you can see traces of the old pattern eagle under the new eagle. Another nice thing about this medal bar is that the Hindenburg Cross is made of bronze rather than iron. Actually, it's the first non-magnetic Hindenburg Cross that I have ever seen.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

Here is a closer look at the Red Cross Decoration:

[Tom Yanacek]

And another look:

[Tom Yanacek]

Here is the reverse of the medal bar. The white enamel on the reverse of the Red Cross Decoration confirms that this was an earlier piece that was jeweler-modified. The production 1937-1939 pattern Red Cross Decorations Second Class had a plain metal reverse, without enamel.

[Pepe77]

This medal bar has character for sure. Jeweler made very nice job with this cross.

[luftkrieg]

Tom,

I love this medal bar. Congratulations.

Here is a photo of the original owner. The Leutnant also has the Italian Order of the Crown, Knights Class (5th Class) but not mounted on to the medal bar.

I too have a jeweller modified Red Cross Decoration just like this one. How common was this practice?

Kind regards
Pierce

[5ribbonbar]

A wicked bar...a great photo addition by Pierce...

Not a bar one can upgrade really.

Cheers,

Glen

[EK-collector]

killer bar indeed. But why is there not rest ?

[Tom Yanacek]

Tom,

I love this medal bar. Congratulations.

Here is a photo of the original owner. The Leutnant also has the Italian Order of the Crown, Knights Class (5th Class) but not mounted on to the medal bar.

I too have a jeweller modified Red Cross Decoration just like this one. How common was this practice?

Kind regards
Pierce

Wow, Pierce! Thank you for posting that portrait photo. Were on earth did you find that? I would appreciate it if you can send me a high-resolution scan of that photo. Or, if you ever decide to sell it, please let me know.

I'm not sure how many earlier pattern Red Cross Decorations were modified in this manner, but I would think that it was fairly common. This was nothing like the modern, disposable economy of today. For efficiency and cost-effectiveness, if something could be salvaged and re-worked then it was done.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

killer bar indeed. But why is there not rest ?

Hello,

Because the Italian Order of the Crown was not part of the medal bar. You can see in the blow-up of the portrait photo that it was just pinned to the uniform separately.

Best regards,
Tom

[luftkrieg]

Wow, Pierce! Thank you for posting that portrait photo. Were on earth did you find that? I would appreciate it if you can send me a high-resolution scan of that photo. Or, if you ever decide to sell it, please let me know.

I'm not sure how many earlier pattern Red Cross Decorations were modified in this manner, but I would think that it was fairly common. This was nothing like the modern, disposable economy of today. For efficiency and cost-effectiveness, if something could be salvaged and re-worked then it was done.

Best regards,
Tom

Hi Tom,

Unfortunately the photo I have is only a copy but can put you in touch with someone who may have an original. I will send you a PM.

Best regards
Pierce

[Tom Yanacek]

Thanks to all for the comments!

By the way, has anyone taken notice of the improper placement of the WW1 Commemorative Medal for Austria on this medal bar?

According to regulations on the order of precedence, the WW1 Commemorative Medal for Austria should be immediately after the Hindenburg Cross, not before it. So why was it placed contrary to regulations? Maybe nothing more than a simple mistake? On the other hand, it may have been done intentionally by the assembler. I will elaborate on my theory:

Assemblers of medal bars were artisans and skilled craftsmen. They had written regulations that they were supposed to follow, but it is hard to suppress a person's artistic flair. Now imagine if the medal bar was made strictly according to the regulations: (cross, cross, cross, round medal, cross). And now the medal bar as actually assembled: (cross, cross, round medal, cross, cross). Which is more aesthetically pleasing to the eye? In my opinion, the answer is that the bar looks much nicer with the improper placement: It has both artistic flair and balance. I really think that some of the "mistakes" we see in medal placement on bars was intentionally done for "artistic" reasons.

Best regards,
Tom

[luftkrieg]

Thanks to all for the comments!

By the way, has anyone taken notice of the improper placement of the WW1 Commemorative Medal for Austria on this medal bar?

According to regulations on the order of precedence, the WW1 Commemorative Medal for Austria should be immediately after the Hindenburg Cross, not before it. So why was it placed contrary to regulations? Maybe nothing more than a simple mistake? On the other hand, it may have been done intentionally by the assembler. I will elaborate on my theory:

Assemblers of medal bars were artisans and skilled craftsmen. They had written regulations that they were supposed to follow, but it is hard to suppress a person's artistic flair. Now imagine if the medal bar was made strictly according to the regulations: (cross, cross, cross, round medal, cross). And now the medal bar as actually assembled: (cross, cross, round medal, cross, cross). Which is more aesthetically pleasing to the eye? In my opinion, the answer is that the bar looks much nicer with the improper placement: It has both artistic flair and balance. I really think that some of the "mistakes" we see in medal placement on bars was intentionally done for "artistic" reasons.

Best regards,
Tom

Hi Tom,

I had seen this medal bar a few years ago and wondered exactly the same thing. It was one of the first things I noticed about it. Your theory could be quite correct. It is groups like these with photographic evidence that prove that the medal bar assemblers did make mistakes/didn't follow the regulations; always great to see I think.

Best regards
Pierce

[Tom Yanacek]

Hi Tom,

I had seen this medal bar a few years ago and wondered exactly the same thing. It was one of the first things I noticed about it. Your theory could be quite correct. It is groups like these with photographic evidence that prove that the medal bar assemblers did make mistakes/didn't follow the regulations; always great to see I think.

Best regards
Pierce

Hi Pierce,

Yes, a friend of mine bought the bar from Scott Plen a few years ago. Recently, my friend decided to part with this bar so I traded him another Saxe-Weimar bar that I owned. Here is the bar that I traded away:

This one was to an enlisted guy that was field-commissioned.

Thanks again & best regards,
Tom

[Alan_G]

Great detective work Pierce!!