Dating the Albrechts-Orden of the Kingdom of Saxony.

[JamesT]

Hello

I am trying to understand the difference between the Albrechts-Orden from WW1 and the earlier variant. The first two pictures show my medals which I believe are from WW1. On the white background is a third medal which is described as "Eine typische Fertigung aus dem 1. Weltkrieg" (typical production from WW1). But is it or is it an earlier version.

Thank you.

 

 

[Fritz]

I would say this is a typical WW1 production. The pre-war examples were usually silver, gold gilded, after 1915 when gold etc. became scarcer and more costly, this was changed to gilded silver. Pre-war examples without swords were usually gold, those with swords often silver. Known makers are mainly Scharffenberg, Glaser and Rösner. My examples, last picture, the older version:

[JamesT]

Thanks Fritz. In the older version it looks as though the head has no neck and sits straight on the shoulders. Is that correct? 

[Fritz]

correct.

[Kenny Andrew]

Hi James welcome to the forum, please try to avoid linking to commercial websites and watermarks    

[JamesT]

2 hours ago, Kenny Andrew said:

Hi James welcome to the forum, please try to avoid linking to commercial websites and watermarks    

Understood. Thanks for the guidance

[JamesT]

2 hours ago, Fritz said:

correct.

Thanks Fritz - I now understand the difference. Very good learning. Now I know what to look for. 

 

[JamesT]

I think this is a correct 1st (older) variant of the Albrechts-Orden.  The lettering on the front looks a bit rough.

[Fritz]

Looks very crude in manufacture, in prinicipal is the head the older version. The cross seems to be real gold. Any maker mark?

[Fritz]

Another point of interest is the so-called "französische Schwerter" (French swords), some makers have the other variant the "deutsche Schwerter", as in your photo.
It could be a so-called Zweitfertigung or copy made on order of the recipient by a jeweller, this was not uncommon and such copies were made of all sorts of decorations, mainly for wearing on the "Ordensschnalle". You can find a lot of good information on the internet, there may be also some good publications.