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Came across these today.

I recognize the ribbons but need help with the awards attached. Thanks

Yes, I did! Thanks Gildwiller.

I would recommend you look through the posts Fritz made on the various German states. I do believe you will find the information you seek there.

Your father certainly had good taste and knew what he was looking for , you're very lucky to have such a nice collection

Hi Boris, welcome to the forum, having the paint go onto the inner beading is not a bad thing and is seen on originals, however seeing the paint on the outer frame is odd. In fact the whole Iron cross looks rather odd, if I were you I would wait for a better example, what do you think Fritz?

Hello. I would like to know if this World War 1 iron cross 1st class medal is real or fake. The seller is from Bubenheim, Germany so it seems like a trustworthy source. Price is around $170. My concern is that the silver around the cross looks like it has been painted over. Is this simply because this is an iron cross that does not have the silver rim or is it a fake. Many thanks :))

More Field Marshal signatures.

This medal is dated May 6, 1882-birth date of the Kronprinz. Appears to be bronz. Maker is Lauer Nürnberg. Case is original. Anyone know estimate value?

Around 2.900 awarded after 22. March 1871, on personal recommendation of Queen Augusta for ladies who selflessly served in the welfare of the troops and their families The white ribbon is correct to the award. The black/white ribbon is possible, for those who served on or near the battlefield under fire. The A and W monograms are for Augusta and Wilhelm. Known manufacturers were Godet and Wagner. Silver and enamel.

I was told once upon a time that this was a important and valuable piece. I recall it had to do with a wedding and this was given only to attended wedding party. I can't recall the details. It is very large and has weight to it. I'll measure and weigh it if needed. Any Russian experts that can Identify?

Prussia, Militär Ehrenzeichen 2. Klasse, instituted 1864, third highest military award for other ranks and NCOs. Awarded in the wars of 1864 and 1866 and in the colonies. May also have been awarded in the war of 1870/71. Awarded also 1914 - ca. 1917. Prussia, Allgemeines Ehrenzeichen (Silver), orginally created in one class in 1810. This later became the 2nd class. A 3rd class (bronze) medal was created in 1912. The 1st class, a silver cross with gold centre medallions, was created in 1900, had a slightly different ribbon.

Not the nicest example I have seen, outer is not silver, looks like repainted. Best to wait till you find a nicer one, that's why the price is so low, they cost a bit more in recent years, for a really nice example with a prominent maker you may have to pay quite a sum nowadays.

Kenny, Thank you for saying so. My earliest memories are waking up early morning and having to drive with my father to another city to attend military shows. He had a passion and got me collecting at a young age. I also know he risked much making trips to rescue items out of East Germany during the late 70's and early 80's. Although I haven't been active in this for many years, I'm beginning to understand that passion he had. Putting the pieces of his collection back together makes me feel close to him. I appreciate the help from everyone on this Forum!

Hello Borris, while not an expert on these, just because the seller is from Germany does not mean they are automatically a viable and trusted source. I have bought WW2 and WW1 items from Germany vendors that said they were original, but they were not. The middle portion looks as though the paint has been touched up and ran underneath. These crosses are not uncommon and are usually cheaper than the WW2 counterparts, if suspicious, keep shopping.

The last picture with the "pinback", this is of course not the real decoration, simply a representation of same. I see from the latest pictures that the P.l.M. seems to be definitely gold. The round shaped "Pour le Mérite" is the version for "Kunst und Wissenschaft", civil, and is still awarded today - an anachronism, as a republic has not the right to award a decoration that was originally inaugurated by the former Prussian monarchy. The gold Pour le Mérite, if by Wagner, may have a W mark on the side of the lower cross arm. It could also have been made by J.G. Godet.