Ribbon bar question.

[Marcel Banziger]

I have this 4-piece ribbon bar for quite some time already but I always wondered if it's an original one. To get my doubts out of the way I decided to post it here for more experienced opinions.
Thanks in advance
Marcel

[bytown]

My first impression is that it is of modern manufacture.

I'm not an expert in these.

Wait for the more experienced to answer.

Wayne

[Marcel Banziger]

Thanks for your opinion! Let's see which other judgements will come.
It's bought from Hiscoll by the way, normally a dealer with a good reputation I believe.

[Marcel Banziger]

Nobody?

[Chris Taylor]

At first glance this doesn't look horribly wrong to me, as I have seen (and owned) bars with ribbons crammed on them giving them that overlapping effect.

Can you tell if the backing is sewn or glued on?

[Marcel Banziger]

The backing is sewn.

I tried to make pics from it but my cheap and old camera isn't able to focus well so it's rather hard to see on these pics, BUT it does give a slight impression of the sewing (I hope ).

[Scott C.]

Sewn-up ends can be a red flag for some -- not something you see allot of on period bars. Often sewn ends are trying to hide something wrong underneath.

[Tom Yanacek]

Thanks for your opinion! Let's see which other judgements will come.
It's bought from Hiscoll by the way, normally a dealer with a good reputation I believe.

Hello Marcel,

When I saw this ribbon bar on Kai Winkler's site I had to do a double take as I thought it was the exact same bar that you posted. However, on second glance, you can tell that it is not the same one, although very similar. (Same overlapping ribbon effect, same backing, same pin & catch, same sewing, etc.)

Yours looks super clean and sometimes that causes me to get a bit leery of an item. However, many ribbon bars and medal bars have survived in this kind of condition. I think that your ribbon bar looks fine. (Kai Winkler's too!) The ribbons, devices, and mounting hardware all look original and the assembly seems acceptable to the period. Overall, I think it is a good one.

Best regards,
Tom

PS: I agree with you that Hiscoll Military Antiques is a very reputable dealer.

[Mike Swan]

Marcel,

You've raised an interesting topic.

I have several bars with similar sewing to yours and I'm now a bit more reassured that they are probably genuine TR pieces.

Mike

[Marcel Banziger]

This topic is going into directions I didn't expect hehe. I thought to get a thumbs up or thumbs down on this ribbon bar but it seems opinions are quite divided.

Tom: the one you've shown taken from Kai Winkler indeed looks very much like mine and when giving a quick look it indeed seems it's one and the same. I bought mine about a year ago already but always had some doubts because of the very good condition it's in. I am glad it now is seen as a good one

[kaiserwilhelm2]

I am not saying that it is not good (Tom's expert opinion is one I trust) but I prefer my ribbon bars to have been clearly worn. Convincing age is the most difficult thing to fake.

[Valter Gorenc]

I am not saying that it is not good (Tom's expert opinion is one I trust) but I prefer my ribbon bars to have been clearly worn. Convincing age is the most difficult thing to fake.

I share Kaiser's opinion - this bar looks a bit too new to me - but it can be only my prejudices against mint bars

One more observation, the swords look aged and lost some finish - should't that leave some trace on the ribbon beneath/under them or it's completely normal that metal device and cloth ribbon, yet stuck together, age each in its own way?

[MichaelG]

I think it is completely original and I really like the look of it!

[Marcel Banziger]

Thanks to all for your opinions! I am glad mine is considered original though I will be careful in the future with mint looking bars