Ribbon bar query

[Mike Swan]

This array is sewn to a cavalry major's Reichswehr-style tunic.

Is there a reason why he wouldn't display a long service award or two?

The sewing seems to be period done with old thread. Nothing glows under UV.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

[Peppe864]

the ribbon bar sure looks old and worn, lots of WW I medals which are not my table, so someone else has to comment on the combination, but I cannot see any red flags.

[Valter Gorenc]

The bar looks good. EK2 1914, KVK2x, WW1 Mecklenburg (either Schwerin or Streliz - both used same ribbon) military merit cross 2nd class and Hamburg hanseatic cross. Hamburgers were indeed mixed with Mecklenburgers in some units, so this combination looks totally legit. All four WW1 commemorative medals are okay too.

The most reasonable explanation why there are no long service awards is the ribbon bar was sewn on tunic later. The bar could belong to brave WW1 private, demobilized after WW1, but again called for service in WW2. Due to his age/health he was only capable for some rear duty, where he earned KVK2x.

The loops above the sewn-in bar indicate that there was another, different ribbon bar intended for this tunic (pin-up one).

It could be also possible that the wearer (if an officer) for some strange reason decided not to wear his long service awards, but this seems unlikely, as he obviously liked to add as many decorations as possbible (he obtained all four commemorative crosses...)

And perhaps is some other possiblility / strange regulation, I'm not aware of.
Regards, Valter

[Mike Swan]

Thanks for the positive comments about the ribbons.

I've always thought that the upper loops may have been for a full medal bar.

Mike

[Peppe864]

One could say the the ribbon bar looks original, but if it is original to this exact tunic is harder to say.

I agree that it is a bit strange that there are no long service awards present since the rank is major.

[JasonA]

Beautiful! I love ribbon bars sewn directly onto uniforms like this.

Great example, Mike.

J-

[luftkrieg]

Very nice original ribbon bar. I like it very much!

[Adam S.]

Oddly enough my WWI Vet Cavalry Major tunic ALSO has a ribbon bar sewn on to the tunic. I wonder if it was a Cavalry thing.

[Mike Swan]

Thanks for all the encouraging comments.

Adam, your tunic display is impressive. I also note that your ribbon bar seems more professionally applied than mine.

Here's the tunic and cap. I bought it from a US collector. The pair were allegedly found at an antique shop. Regrettably the tunic's name tag has been removed. The cap has a very worn interior and no sweat shield but I can just decipher the K. Naubert logo.

Mike

[Mike Swan]

A closer shot of the cap.

[Adam S.]

Thanks for posting this Mike. Your display is ALSO very nice.

It's also interesting that they desired to wear their WWI EK2 on their ribbon bar as opposed to a button hole.

[Valter Gorenc]

Very nice displays, gentlemen!

And interestingly, Adam's major has no long service award either. A coincidence? If both of these majors earned their ranks in reserve, and were never active officers before WW2, shouldn't they have at least Landwehr long service decoration?

[Rommel1933]

What a great display!!!! Thank you for the share!

[Mike Swan]

Thanks to all who added comments.

Looks like the long service dilemma won't ever be resolved.

Mike

[Rommel1933]

I don't feel it will ever be resolved. We dont know why people do the things they do.

There could be a legitimate story on this ribbon bar. The owner could have simply lost them, given them to his brother to wear who lost his, perhaps he left them at home w/ his son for him to remember him by while he was off in battle. Perhaps he felt that he wanted to show off his military accomplishments not his loyalty to the Reich... not to stretch the imagination but anything is possible.