Two small ribbon bars

[Laurens Q-fin]

Hello,

What are the opinions on these two small ribbon bars? Although small and common, I strongly believe the first one has a fake device on it. The swords are upside down and there's no gap between the blade and the handles. It also looks poorly made and it not thightly attached onto the bar.

The second one is made from one piece of cloth, meaning that there are no seams between the three different ribbons. I have never seen this kind before, is it common?

The backing on both examples is the same.

I look forward to any replies!

Cheers,
Laurens

[Laurens Q-fin]

1a

[Laurens Q-fin]

1b

[Laurens Q-fin]

1c

[Laurens Q-fin]

2a

[stogieman]

Look OK to me....

... the swords on the first bar are simply upside down. The second bar with 3-in-one is unusual, but not fake. Common combinations were woven 2, 3, 4 in one piece of cloth. The backing looks like a lot of "new parts bar backings" floating around. You have a 50/50 shot that these are newly made out of old, original parts... but I would buy the 3/1 just to have an example of the material!

[Laurens Q-fin]

Rick,

Thank you for your reply . So the fact that there's no gap or open space between the blade and the handle doesn't mean that the Swords-device is fake? Am I correct?

I bought them recently from eBay Germany because I was looking for a ribbon bar with the West Wall ribbon in it to match a medal I already have. The other bar was a nice addition to the very low price I paid for both.

Cheers,
Laurens

[stogieman]

If you look closely...

... I think you'll see that one side is open and the other is closed, which to me, is simply a manufacturing error.

[Laurens Q-fin]

I'm 100% sure that there is no open space between blade and handle, nor on the right side, nor on the left side. I admit you can see a small white dot on the right side, but just moments ago I was able to remove it with a soft tissue (it's not my habit to clean everything I buy, but this was for the good of the bar )

In the end, it might well be that the bar itself is original but that the swords-device and the backing was applied at a later date, thus leaving some confusion.

Rick, do you have original examples where the swords are applied upside down, preferably on a KVK ribbon?

Thanks again,
Laurens

[James Clark]

I don't see anything wrong with the swords themselves (other than that they are upside down). They seem typical of the stamped metal type, with 2 small retaining tabs on the back (top and bottom where the swords cross).

If you try twisting very gently you may be able to turn them round so that they are the right way up. But don't force it.

[David S]

I like the 3 in 1 bar

[Dez H]

The three place ribbon bar is very nice indeed.

[Laurens Q-fin]

Thanks all !!!!

Laurens