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08-04-2020 03:27 PM
# ADS
Circuit advertisement
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Michal19; the Silesian Eagle (Der Schlesische Adler) was created on 19 June 1919 by VI. Armee-Korps Generalleutnant Friedrich von Friedeburg, The medal was Freikorps award for service in the Silesian Civil Wars (Bürgerkriege in Oberschlesien) August 1919 to July 1921, in Upper Silesia, which was part of Germany at the time.
The award was issued in first and second class. The medal is made of iron and is either a blackened or browned eagle looking to the right, with a gold-colored flat crescent moon with a cross in the cavity. In its claws the eagle carries a ribbon with the inscription Für Schlesien
. In 1921, an unofficial enameled version was made that looked exactly like the official awards. The award was made in first-class and second-class awards. The first first-class award was a pinback that was worn on the left side pocket. The class-second award hung from a vertical yellow-white-yellow striped ribbon (the colors of Silesia) and was worn above the left-side pocket. After 1 July 1921, oak leaves or swords were authorized for the Silesian eagle, both first-class and second-class. The color, black or brown, does not denote first or second class. The difference between the first-class and second-class awards id easily seen; a first-class award has a pinback and the second-class award has a suspension ring.
The Silesian Eagle is widely counterfeited, some being very accurate replicas and others much less so. Others are crass fantasy designs. Below is the enameled version from the NASM Collection Dwight
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This is actually a less common example as it has the maker mark of Max Reich Breslau. Max Reich made the Silesian Eagle in several different finishes including enamel. He was a well known maker of various Freikorps awards.
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