Ostvolk Revisted

[Darrell]

Hi all,

I received a nice Ostvolk 1st Class in Silver w/o Swords today. Has much of the Silver left on it. Under the pin is maker mark "100".

Here is the picture:

[Darrell]

Here is one with same catch / pin / hinge assembly but what I believe to be Gold Version?

[Darrell]

Here is what I believe to be a second type Gold version 1st Class (un marked):

[Darrell]

What I would like to ask are the following questions:

1. It appears that these are the only two types of Ostvolk Badges made for the 1st Class (ie. hinge / pin / catch assembly). Does anyone know of other manufacturer types?

2. Am I correct in my assumption that the second and third pictures are both GOLD versions of the 1st Class? I am using the pin and catch assembly colors as the primary ID. As is common, most of the Silver or Gold is long gone on these Badges, so how do you tell them apart? Or is it possible that the second is a Silver?

3. The Maker Mark on the first and second is "100". I read somewhere that the "100" is different and not the same as the "100" maker mark attributed to Rudolf Wachtler & Lange, Mittwaida. Is this true? I read somewhere where someone attributed that Maker Mark on these badges to Werner Redo ....

Comments are appreciated

[Laurence Strong]

Hey Darrell, do you have the whole set yet?

[Darrell]

Laurence,

No .... these damn things are like SA and DRL badges .. 8 million versions of each

They are (neglecting different makers):

1. 1st Class Gold w/ Swords
1st Class Gold w/o Swords

2. 1st Class Silver w/ Swords
1st Class Silver w/o SWords

3. 2nd Class Gold w/ Swords
2nd Class Gold w/o Swords

2nd Class Silver w/ Swords
2nd Class Silver w/o Swords

2nd Class Bronze w/ Swords
2nd Class Bronze w/o Swords

The ones w/ Swords were awarded for Bravery
The ones w/o Swords were awarded for Merit

Similar to the KVK series

The 2nd Class are easy to ID because the ribbons are different for the Gold / Silver and Bronze .. but the 1st Class ,,, thats a different story ....

[Laurence Strong]

yeah I have looked at them a few times, with the intention of plunging in, buut so far I have been able to resist the temtation

[Darrell]

No one has any more comments or opinions on these medals? Doesn't anyone collect them??