The 1914/1918 Ehrenkreuz

[HPL2008]

There are those little crossed swords on the ribbon. Is there something to tell about that? I often see Ehrenkreuze whose ribbons have no little swords attached to it, i guess the Schwerter of the Ehrenkreuz are pretty obvious already that the owner was a warrior.

The swords are a non-regulation addition.

Officially, the swords were only supposed to be worn on the ribbon bar [kleine Ordensschnalle or Feldspange], ribbon bow [Bandschleife] and ribbon roll [Bandrolle] to distinguish the Frontkämpfer class from the Kriegsteilnehmer class, as both classes shared the same ribbon and would otherwise have been indistinguishable.
The swords were not supposed be worn on the full-size medal bar [große Ordensschnalle] where they would have been redundant because of the presence of the original decoration. (It's the same principle as with, for example, the KVK with/without swords or the Ostvolk decorations for bravery/merit.)

I think the reason why they are present here has to do with the fact that this is a medal bar mounted in an old-fashioned style popular in the Imperial era. The crosses are not permanently attached to the bar, but suspended from open hooks. This allowed them to be removed and the medal bar to double as a a large-size ribbon bar.

(Example: http://portrait.kaar.at/Erster%20Wel...n_preussen.jpg )

[HPL2008]

My latest acquisition: A court-mounted example of the Hinterbliebenen class.
Of course this is not a truly rare or particularly valuable award, but mounted examples of this class are still far less common than of the other two and don't show up for sale nearly as often .

[don_kihotis7]

Very nice Andreas.

[HPL2008]

It's time for another little update to include items purchased since my last post.

First up, three more buttonhole miniatures, all representing the WW1-era Iron Cross 2nd Class and the Frontkämpfer-class Ehrenkreuz, with two also including a WW-1 era Wound Badge. (Black and Silver, respectively.)





The detailing on the tiny-sized (9 mm) metal miniatures is very nicely executed:

[HPL2008]

Now, a few ribbon bars.

Top: a single ribbon bar for the Kriegsteilnehmer class.

Center: The ribbon for Kriegsteilnehmer class is also present on this two-place ribbon bar for a Prussian non-combatant veteran; the other one is for the Prussian Verdienstkreuz für Kriegshilfe. (Unfortunately, the backing is a bit moth-damaged.)

Bottom: A four place ribbon bar with the 1914 EK 2, the Bayerisches Militärverdienstkreuz, the Frontkämpfer class of the 1914/18 Honor Cross and the Tiroler Landesdenkmünze 1914 - 1918.

[HPL2008]

The last one for today. I find this one particularly nice... as well as rather unusual. It's a ribbon bar with miniature (15 mm) decorations attached as pendants.
EK2, Frontkämpfer cross and a Landwehr-Dienstauszeichnung II. Klasse:

[don_kihotis7]

Unbelievable mate. I was just looking for this thread and at the same time you bumped it up so i got the notification in my email's inbox. Thanks a lot .
Excellent additions. You are really addicted with the Hindy crosses.

[Woolgar]

Great collection, fascinating thread Andreas

Nick

[talltom]

such a nice collection of underrated medals thanks for sharing a vast wealth of knowledge hpl thank you

tom

[Teutonicknights]

Thanks for sharing!!!