I read an article in "The Military Advisor" from 1994 which delt with TR ribbon bars. I got puzzled when I read it, but realized it was probably a matter of semantic. Here's a quote from it.
"The following is submitted by Mr. David Littlejohn of Scotland.
The author is correct in saying that this is a subject that calls for further research. Even confining our study to the TR, the picture is not 100% clear.
The following is a summary of what is known about the various emblems worn on the medal ribbons of the period:
On a Cornflower Blue Ribbon
a) a silver or gilt eagle of the army/navy or Luftwaffe type
A silver eagle only 4 years service
A gilt and silver eagle 12 years service
Two silver eagles 18 years service
Two gilt eagles 25 years service
If an oak leaf cluster is added below the first of the two gilt eagles, this indicates 40 years service."
So far no problem as this is in the line of the regular size regulations. What attracted my attention was this sentence:
On a cornflower ribbon.... I suppose it should read: On cornflower ribbons i.e. the regulations followed the normal size and the ribbons were mounted on a double-bar. If this is a correct assumption, single ribbon bars with a gilt eagle would not be legit. Here's the reason as to why this theory isn't bullet-proof.
These two single bars have identical LW eagles. If this is indeed a gilt eagle, how do we explain it? I have no doubts about it's originality; nice stiff southern style with ribbon folded over the sides. Perhaps there's another explaination i.g. the eagle is made from bronze and the silver wash has worn off. Any help is appreciated.
KR
Peter
"The following is submitted by Mr. David Littlejohn of Scotland.
The author is correct in saying that this is a subject that calls for further research. Even confining our study to the TR, the picture is not 100% clear.
The following is a summary of what is known about the various emblems worn on the medal ribbons of the period:
On a Cornflower Blue Ribbon
a) a silver or gilt eagle of the army/navy or Luftwaffe type
A silver eagle only 4 years service
A gilt and silver eagle 12 years service
Two silver eagles 18 years service
Two gilt eagles 25 years service
If an oak leaf cluster is added below the first of the two gilt eagles, this indicates 40 years service."
So far no problem as this is in the line of the regular size regulations. What attracted my attention was this sentence:
On a cornflower ribbon.... I suppose it should read: On cornflower ribbons i.e. the regulations followed the normal size and the ribbons were mounted on a double-bar. If this is a correct assumption, single ribbon bars with a gilt eagle would not be legit. Here's the reason as to why this theory isn't bullet-proof.
These two single bars have identical LW eagles. If this is indeed a gilt eagle, how do we explain it? I have no doubts about it's originality; nice stiff southern style with ribbon folded over the sides. Perhaps there's another explaination i.g. the eagle is made from bronze and the silver wash has worn off. Any help is appreciated.
KR
Peter
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