Puzzling Ribbon Bar

[Tom Yanacek]

Hi guys,

I bought this ribbon bar at a gun show today. This one really has me puzzled as I have no idea what the second ribbon is. The first ribbon appears to be the Westwall Medal and I'm assuming that the second ribbon is for a foreign decoration of some sort. But what foreign decoration? The ribbon reminds me of the Italian Order of the Crown or the Spanish Red Military Merit Cross, except for the pinstripe present in the two red fields. The pinstripes are not too discernible in the pictures, but they are much more distinct with the ribbon bar held in hand. Does anyone know what this ribbon is for?

Thank you for any and all assistance.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

The pinstripes may show better in this photo taken in subdued light.

[luftkrieg]

Hi Tom,

It could be the Italian/Spanish ribbon with a flaw in it, or maybe something Danish? I know some of their red/white ribbons had a faded white stripe running through the red stripe, though it may have run horizontally and not vertical like your example. Just a thought.

Best regards
Pierce

[Mainemilitaria]

Could it be one of the earlier (or Post war) State Fire Service ribbons? .....but that should go before the Defense Wall ribbon (West Wall), unless that changed postwar. Could be a pre-57 set up (all the parts are certianly 3rd Reich) or someone could have "played" with it... don't know.

There were several State Fire medals pre and post war.... I'd check on those ribbons. I doubt he'd have a foreign award only with just a Defense wall medal.

Just my ten cents worth...
John G.

[Tom Yanacek]

Thank you!

Thank you for the comments, Pierce and John.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

It could be the Italian/Spanish ribbon with a flaw in it

Hi Pierce,

I think your suggestion about the flaw in the ribbon might just be the answer. The horizontal weave in the ribbon appears to be disrupted right in the area where the pinstripes appear. The horizontal weave should run straight across the ribbon's width, but it does not in this particular case. Still puzzled.

Best regards,
Tom

[luftkrieg]

Hi Pierce,

I think your suggestion about the flaw in the ribbon might just be the answer. The horizontal weave in the ribbon appears to be disrupted right in the area where the pinstripes appear. The horizontal weave should run straight across the ribbon's width, but it does not in this particular case. Still puzzled.

Best regards,
Tom

Hi Tom,

I think this is the mist likely answer.

Best regards
Pierce

[Tom Yanacek]

Thanks, Pierce.

Best regards,
Tom

[Ian Hulley]

The 'post war' option is unlikelyas the Westwall medal was considered a Psrty award and therefore verbotten. My money's on a Spanish War Cross, very nice anyway.

Cheers, Ian.

[CHTopGun]

Definitive not a post war fire medal.
There is no one existing with this setup.


Best regards
Chris

[Tom Yanacek]

Thank you!

Thank you, Ian and Chris.

Best regards,
Tom

[horwathj]

Hey Tom, I'm thinking it might be for a Spanish Order of Military Merit but the white band doesn't seem wide enough.

Jef

[luftkrieg]

Hey Tom, I'm thinking it might be for a Spanish Order of Military Merit but the white band doesn't seem wide enough.

Jef

I think it's for the Italian Order of the Crown.

Kind regards
Pierce

[Tom Yanacek]

Hey Tom, I'm thinking it might be for a Spanish Order of Military Merit but the white band doesn't seem wide enough.

I think it's for the Italian Order of the Crown.

Thanks for the additional comments, Jef and Pierce.

I think Pierce is correct: a flawed ribbon for the Italian Order of the Crown-Knight's Grade.

Best regards,
Tom

[mchap]

Another possibility, the unidentified ribbon is the Hanseatic Cross...seems more plausible that an old WW1 vet was "doing his part" on the wall? But, where is the Hindenberg cross which usually accompanies WW1 medal bars? hmm, interesting little fella.