The 1914/1918 Ehrenkreuz

[HPL2008]

If you like those, you will love my latest acquisiton. (I certainly do.)

Here we have a two-place Damenschleife combining the Ehrenkreuz für Kriegsteilnehmer with the Prussian Rote-Kreuz-Medaille 3. Klasse (Red Cross Medal 3rd Class), the latter in its steel version. (Instituted in 1898, the medal was originally made of bronze, but during WW1, this was changed to steel and finally zinc / war metal.) It came with the matching ribbon bow:

[don_kihotis7]

Very nice set. I never saw the red cross medal before. Thanks for posting.

[HPL2008]

Rule # 32: Enjoy the little things. So, here are some very nice little things.

First, another cluster of three ribbon rolls, representing the 1914 EK II, the 1914/18 Ehrenkreuz and (unless I am mistaken) the Saxon Friedrich-August-Kriegs-Medaille:





A neat 16 mm miniature of the Kriegsteilnehmer cross in fine condition:





Utilizing the same ribbon width of 15 mm, here is a miniature two-place ribbon bar with the Hinterbliebenen Cross and the Prussian Rote-Kreuz-Medaille III. Klasse, showing its age with some patina and fading:





I am especially pleased with this one, both for its neatness and because this is a rather rarely found mounting style: It's a tiny five-place miniature ribbon bar for wear on the lapel of a civilian suit, made from the 8 mm ribbons more commonly used for ribbon bows/rolls.
Tightly sewn down over a one-piece metal frame/button, the ribbons represent the 1914 EK II, the 1914/18 Ehrenkreuz, the Prussian Kreuz für Kriegshilfsdienst, one of the various Prussian or German long-service decorations sharing this blue ribbon and, once again, the Prussian Rote-Kreuz-Medaille III. Klasse:











Finally, just for size comparison, the last three items together with one of my full-sized Honor Crosses:

[HPL2008]

Recently, I also found myself a 16 mm miniature of the Frontkämpfer cross:





More common, but quite nice, here is another buttonhole ribbon bow, utilizing a metal button with a decorative "plaited" design to its rear:

[VonRiver]

HPL2008,

You have an extraordinary collection of 1914/1918 Ehrenkreuz.
I like it very mutch.

Regards.,

Von River

[HPL2008]

Another little addition. An award combination of which other examples were previously shown, this civil-wear lapel ribbon combination represents the 1914 EK II, the Hamburger Hanseatenkreuz and the Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer.
The mounting style is unusual: Normally, these ribbon rolls are simply sewn to a button. This one is tightly sewn to a slotted octagonal metal plate in a way that would keep it from "rotating". Also, note how the ribbons are overlapping, with one placed inside the next.







(These lapel ribbons may not be particularly rare or valuable items, but I find the endless variations interesting.)

[HPL2008]

To provide an overview, I thought it would be a good idea to take some "familiy photos" of the previously shown items, grouped by themes.

The Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer:



The Ehrenkreuz für Kriegsteilnehmer:




The Ehrenkreuz für Hinterbliebene:



The classical WWI combat veterans' combination of the 1914 EKII and the Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer:




The combination of the 1914 EKII, Hamburger Hanseatenkreuz and the Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer:



Various other combinations, part 1:



Various other combinations, part 2:



(A little too late, I noticed that the ribbon roll at bottom center is upside down. Forgive me! )

[don_kihotis7]

Awesome.
Like a parade

[rbminis]

A very focused and lovely collection Andreas!
Ralph.

[Adrian]

This has got to be one of the most informative and best presented threads on the forum and all about an award that most collectors (and I include myself here) overlook.

As Andreas' collection proves, this is a fascinating award which has a seemingly endless range of variations and I look forward to the next different piece to be added to the thread.

Thank you to Andreas for the education and opening my eyes to this award.