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Rittmeister Militaria, LLC. Imperial German Merchandise Page 6: Documents Nr 1: Awards with Documents.
Updated: 28 February 2010.
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Award & Document Groupings
06-172 RED EAGLE ORDER 4th CLASS AND AWARD DOCUMENTS -PRUSSIA. This is a very fine example of the Order of the Red Eagle 4th Class and its award document (Urkunde) from Prussia. The Red Eagle Order is a complete family of decorations, containing breast stars, neck orders, and ribboned medals. Our example includes an ornate document dated 22 August 1907 and made out to a Carl Friedrich Rohte. It is signed by the Ordens Kanzler. This is a civil, and not a military, award. Three additional documents relating to the decoration’s award and other decorations that he received are included, such as the transmittal letters, etc. The decoration itself comes on a very short ribbon. The decoration’s only flaw is a chip to its hand-painted center. $695.00
This is an Order of the Iron Crown 3rd Class with Swords along with its original award document, from Austria. The award document is quite large and ornate. It measures 12 3/4" x 7 1/4." The document’s format is quite similar to Prussian documents in many ways. At the top, the document begins," Seine Majestät Der Kaiser von Oesterreich König von Bohmen u.s.w. und Apostolischre König von Ungaren." The document follows that the awardee is a Dr. Artur Trotter, who serves in the Army Reserves. The award is dated 7 February 1916 with notice made in Vienna on 26 February by the Chief or the Ordens section. This official’s signature is at the bottom. In the left lower cover of the document is a huge embossed seal of the Kaiser’s House, complete with the double-headed Austrian Eagle. This document is in PERFECT condition for being ninety years old. It has never even been folded. It has been cared for beautifully all of these years. This is the identical theme used on the Iron Eagle itself. As for the Iron Eagle, it is in wonderful condition. The decoration’s obverse is in sparkling condition, with all of the enamel in first-rate condition. The same goes for the reverse. The decoration’s blue and yellow ribbon is in the Austrian tri-fold style. The gilt crossed swords are attached to the ribbon. They make a very fine pair. $1,995.00
06-173 IRON CROWN ORDER 3rd CLASS WITH SWORDS - ORIGINAL AWARD DOCUMENT - AUSTRIA.
06-187 1870 MILITARY SERVICE CROSS 2nd CLASS AND URKUNDE - MECKLENBURG-SCHWERIN. This is a simply marvelous grouping which consists of the 1870 Military Service Cross 2nd Class and its Urkunde (award document) from the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71, Friedrich Franz II (1823-1883) ruled the duchy. He sat on the throne from 1842 to 1883. Mecklenburg-Schwerin had long been Prussia’s ally. It fought with Prussia during the 1864 Danish-Prussian War and the 1866 Austro-Prussian War. The document and decoration were awarded to a young officer by the name of Wilhelm Meyer. Meyer served in Hannoversches Pionier Battalion Nr 10. The regiment was raised in 1804. It was garrisoned in Minden and assigned to the X. ArmeeKorps. The battalion was a former Hanoverian unit. It fought proudly in the Peninsular Campaign and at Waterloo with the Duke of Wellington. Its men carried the bandeaux for those campaigns on their pickelhauben. Meyer went on to become a Generalleutnant in the Prussian Army. He was assigned to the General Staff for matters relating to Pionier-Battalions. The document is quite ornate and measures 12 1/4" x 7 1/2." It is dated 31 December 1872 and signed by Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. The embossed seal of the Duchy appears on the document. The decoration is the same size as an 1870 Iron Cross 2nd Class. It is gilt-toned. A short length of original ribbon, measuring 4 1/2" x 1 1/2," is present. The silk ribbon is light blue, yellow, and red. The Military Service Cross 2nd Class was awarded in far fewer numbers than the 1870 Iron Cross 2nd Class. This is a fine presentation to a future German Army general. In the coming weeks, we will be offering a fine assortment of Meyer’s documents from throughout his military career. $1,495.00
This is a marvelous mini grouping that consists of the 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class and its award document. Such a fine pair has a to recommend it. First, it was awarded to an officer, Leutnant der Reserve Coesfeld. Second, he was assigned to Reserve Jäger Battalion Nr 21. The document was signed personally by the Deutschen-Jäger-Division’s commander, a generalmajor. The document was signed on 14 June 1918. It measures 6 1/2" x 8 1/4,"and sports the Deutschen-Jäger-Division’s unit stamp. The commanding general’s signature is rendered in the typical purple grease pencil so often used in the field instead of black ink. The 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class is vaulted. It has very fine paint on the obverse that rates at nearly 98%. The frame displays a pleasing patina. The reverse features a flat pin, with no evidence of silver or manufacturer’s hallmarks. It is a very handsome grouping from a unit and division that is rarely represented. $595.00
06-201 AWARD DOCUMENT - DECORATION - 1914 IRON CROSS 1st CLASS.
This is a mini grouping consisting of the Military Service Cross 3rd Class with Crown and Swords (Militär-Verdienstkreuz 3. Klasse mit der Krone und mit Schwerten) from the Kingdom of Bavaria. The decoration was first authorized in 1866 during König (Mad) Ludwig II’s reign, when Bavaria fought on Austria’s (losing) side with her other allies (Saxony, Württemberg, Hannover, and Braunschweig) in the 1866 Austro-Prussian War. The decoration was awarded in three levels (1st through 3rd Classes). It was similar to the Iron Cross awards’ family, except it was awarded during peacetime as well as wartime. The cross was awarded by itself during peacetime. During wartime, it was awarded with swords. A higher level of the award featured a large crown. It is the latter we are offering today. The decoration, swords, and oversized crown are all bronze-toned and in very fine condition. A blue, white, and black ribbon is attached. The document accompanies it is very high-quality. It represents an early-war example, and measures 13" x 8 1/4." The King of Bavaria is mentioned at the top. The award was issued to a Max Kuhnigk, and is dated 23 December 1914. The document is countersigned by the Ordens-Großkanzler. Both document and decoration are in very fine condition. $425.00
06-202 AWARD DOCUMENT & DECORATION - MILITARY SERVICE CROSS 3rd CLASS - CROWN AND SWORDS.
06-177 ENLISTED MAN’S FRAMED DOCUMENT AND DECORATIONS - GARDE-GRENADIER-REGIMENT Nr 4. This is an interesting framed grouping of a document and decorations from a man who served in Königin Augusta Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr 4. The regiment was established in 1860. It was garrisoned in Berlin, where it was attached to the Garde Korps. The presentation comes in a period frame, and measures 10 1/4" x 8 1/4." Inside the frame is an award document for the 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class, which measures 8 1/4" x 6 1/4." The man’s award of the Iron Cross 1st Class did not come until 17 September 1924. This is the latest awarding of the Iron Cross 1st Class that I have seen, personally. It is truly remarkable, since the award comes nearly six years after the war’s end! It is signed by a General der Infantrie of the Reichs Heer, who was stationed in Cassel. The man receiving the decoration was named Wald. Within the regiment he was assigned to the 2. Machine Gun Kompagnie. A red and white ribbon is stretched diagonally across the frame’s upper left corner. A Gallipoli Star has been secured in its lower left corner. The upper right corner displays a ribbon for the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class. Finally, the lower right corner shows a 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class that has been converted to a 1st Class. The decoration’s ring has been removed from its top, and the remains have been neatly filed off. The frame’s back displays several interesting bits and pieces. Two newspaper photos of General Liman von Sanders appear. He was the German commander in Turkey, who dealt directly with Germany’s Turkish allies. He was greatly respected by the Turks and constantly honored by them. A portion of a Feldpost card from Wald to a loved one back home is included. It features the regimental stamp for Königin Augusta Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr 4. Under this material is a blue envelope with the German name for the Gallipoli Star. This might be the original award envelope for this decoration. Finally, an original photograph of Wald as a young man in the full dress uniform of Königin Augusta Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr 4 appears. A small, hand carved pipe also comes with the framed collage. It measures 8 1/4" in length. It seems like a style one might find in Turkey or other portions of the Middle East. It is ready to hang on your wall. You can even have a pleasant smoke while you admire it. $1,095.00
This is a mini grouping to an officer who received the 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class. His name was Hauptmann d. L. II Karl Pletscher. As indicated on the document, Pletscher was a member of Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment Nr 30. At the time of the award he was forty-four years-old and hardly a youngster. The award document measures 6 1/4" x 8." It features the award date (1. April 1918) and the regimental commander’s signature (he was a major). [This illustrates the officers’ attrition rate by the late war, having a major command a regiment instead of an oberst]. A privately-purchased EK 1 accompanies the document. The Iron Cross is a "KO-manufactured," flat (non vaulted) model, which was the primary, issued 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class. We can see the KO hallmark under the reverse’s catch. A large-format photograph depicts Pletscher when he was a younger officer, probably as a leutnant around the turn of the 20th Century. A 10 September 1918 clipping from Berlin’s Allgemeiner Anzeiger zum Militär Wochenblatt (General Gazette Weekly Newspaper for the Military) accompanies the mini grouping. It features several soldiers’ obituaries, including Pletscher’s. His mentions that he died on the battlefield on 10 August 1918, exactly a month before the obituary notice. This is an interesting, and ultimately, touching, group of items. $650.00
06-195 OFFICER’S DOCUMENT - DECORATION - PHOTOGRAPH - 1914 IRON CROSS 1st CLASS.
$275.00
06-199 1914 IRON CROSS 2nd CLASS AND AWARD DOCUMENT. This is a very handsome grouping that consists of a 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class and its award document. The Iron Cross is in excellent condition. No, make that MINT condition! The paint on both obverse and reverse is in 100% condition. Attached to the decoration is a ribbon measuring 2 3/4" in length. A VERY interesting document accompanies the Iron Cross. It measures 11 3/4" x 8 1/4." What really took my attention is that it comes from Füsilier-Regiment Generalfeldmarschall Prinz Albrecht von Preußen (Hannoversches) Nr 73. The regiment was raised in1803. It was garrisoned in Hannover and attached to the X. ArmeeKorps. While nominally a Prussian regiment, it was actually a Hanoverian regiment. It had been absorbed into the Prussian Army after Hannover supported Austria in the 1866 Austro-Prussian War. This particular war accomplished the final consolidation of Germany’s many states into one country, with Prussia as the dominant power.
[Since all the Hanoverian regiments were absorbed into the Prussian Army, they suffered a certain loss of identity. Around the year 1897, Kaiser Wilhelm II corrected this issue (to a point). Hanoverian regiments that had seen Napoleonic War service were once again allowed to sport their service bandeaux on their headdresses’ wappens. That said, of all the former Hanoverian infantry regiments, none had a prouder history than Füsilier-Regiment Generalfeldmarschall Prinz Albrecht von Preußen (Hannoversches) Nr 73. While the other Hanoverian infantry regiments were permitted to wear a bandeau commemorating service at Waterloo, Füsilier-Regiment Generalfeldmarschall Prinz Albrecht von Preußen (Hannoversches) Nr 73 wore both that bandeau and one for Spain and Portugal’s arduous, lengthy campaign known as the "Peninsula." Also as special recognition for service at Gibraltar, Füsilier-Regiment Generalfeldmarschall Prinz Albrecht von Preußen (Hannoversches) Nr 73 wore a cuff title on their tunic sleeve. [It is worth noting that Hannoversches Jäger-Battalion Nr 10 also wore the Gibraltar cuff title. They also had bandeaux on their shakos for Waterloo, Peninsula, and Venta del Pozo. Dragoner-Regiment König Carl I. von Rumänien (1. Hannoversches) Nr 9 had no cuff title but did have bandeaux for the Peninsula, Waterloo, and Göhrde on their wappens. 2. Hannoversches Dragoner-Regiment Nr 16 carried only the Waterloo bandeau. Husaren-Regiment Königin Wilhelmina der Niederlands (Hannoversches) Nr. 15 carried bandeaux for Peninsula, Waterloo, El Bodon, and Barossa. Both Königs Ulanen-Regiment (1. Hannoversches) Nr 13 and 2. Hannoversches Ulanen-Regiment Nr 14 wore bandeaux for Peninsula, Waterloo, and Garzia-Hernandez. Feldartillerie-Regiment von Scharnhorst (1. Hannoversches) Nr 10 proudly wore bandeaux for Peninsula, Waterloo, Gohrde, and Colberg 1807 on their kugelhelms. Hannoversches Pionier-Battalion Nr 10 also wore the Waterloo and Peninsula bandeaux on the pickelhauben wappens. (We also should not forget the other Hanoverian infantry regiments that sported the Waterloo bandeaux on their helmets. These Infanterie-Regiments were Nr’s 74, 77, and 79. Nr’s 164 and 165 did not wear the bandeaux, but did have the Gibraltar cuff title]. Let us return to our document from Füsilier-Regiment Generalfeldmarschall Prinz Albrecht von Preußen (Hannoversches) Nr 73. On the left the Napoleonic War campaigns for Gibraltar and Waterloo are listed. Below that are several actions from the 1870-1871 Franco-Prussian War. On the document’s right side the various battles in which Füsilier-Regiment Generalfeldmarschall Prinz Albrecht von Preußen (Hannoversches) Nr 73 served are listed. The document’s center displays the man’s relevant information. The official regimental unit stamp appears at the bottom.
It is a fine set, which we are pleased to share with you.
This is a mini grouping of the Allgemeines Ehrenzeichen 2nd Class in silver. The civil decoration was first awarded in two classes during the 1810 Napoleonic War, while König Friedrich Wilhelm III ruled Prussia. Our offering today is the final version, which was awarded from 1895 through 1917. The decoration is in nearly-mint condition. It measures 1 1/2" in diameter. The 2nd Class was only awarded in silver. The obverse displays König Friedrich Wilhelm III’s royal cypher. The reverse states "Verdienst Um Den Staat" (Service for the State). The decoration is housed in a black leatherette case that measures 2" x 2 3/4" x 3/4." Inside the case gold trim runs around the frame’s edges. The case opens from the side rather than from the bottom. The silk liner on the left is black, while the case’s fitted bottom is lined in black velvet. An 13" length of original red and white ribbon is laid over the decoration’s top. The original urkunde (award document), measuring 13" x 8," is included. The document is in the same format used by virtually all Prussian decorations, including the Red Eagle Orders, Crown Orders, Hohenzollern House Orders, and even the Orden Pour le Mérite. The man receiving the award was named Wilhelm Geuting. The award was made in September 1902! Below the basic information, the document is signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II’s Ordens Kanzler. It is a beautiful set, in superb condition. $350.00
06-200 ALLGEMEINES EHRENZEICHEN 2nd CLASS AND AWARD DOCUMENT IN THE ORIGINAL PRESENTATION CASE.
06-193 DOCUMENT AND DECORATION - 1914 IRON CROSS 1st CLASS. This is an award document and actual decoration for the 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class. The document is to Leutnant der Reserve Schmidt. The document, which measures 6 1/2" x 8 1/4," is a late-war example. In fact, it was awarded in October 1918. Schmidt served in Fußartillerie-Regiment Nr 50. The document has been signed by an oberstleutnant and regiment commander. The 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class is a "KO" issued example, with normal wear. It is one of the latest Iron Cross documents I have seen that was still issued during WW I. $450.00
06-176 DOCUMENT AND DECORATION GROUPING - OBERLEUTNANT FRITZ KOCH. This is a diverse document and decoration grouping for Leutnant Fritz Koch. Koch served in the 1st Battalion of 2. Thüringischen Infantrie-Regiment Nr 32. This grouping includes the following documents and decorations:
Recommendation Letter 1903. This letter is dated from 1903. It displays Infantrie-Regiment Nr 32's unit stamp. The letter attests to Koch’s faithful and true service in the regiment.
This is a fine grouping of documents and decorations to an officer. $795.00
This is a wonderful set that includes the award document for the Military Merit Cross 3rd Class with Crown and Swords from the Kingdom of Bavaria. The document measures 8" x 12." It was awarded to an unteroffizier in a field hospital. The award date is 2 April 1917. The document is signed by the Ordens Kanzler to Bavaria’s King Ludwig III. Two holes have been punched on the left side to allow the man to keep all of his military papers together in a file. The document has been folded into quarters and has a small tear in it. The other part of this fine presentation is the actual Military Merit Cross 3rd Class with Crown and Swords. The decoration is gilt, with an articulated crown. Immediately below the crown are the crossed swords. The presentation case measures 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 3/4." The light-blue case is leatherette. Embossed in silver on the outer lid is the decoration’s name. Inside the case the manufacturer’s name, Gebrüder Hemmerle, is stamped on the blue silk liner. A band holds the presentation ribbon in place. The decoration fits quite well in the blue-velvet-lined case bottom. It is a fine grouping for an important Bavarian decoration. $375.00
06-194 MILITARY MERIT CROSS 3rd CLASS WITH CROWN AND SWORDS - ORIGINAL PRESENTATION CASE - AWARD DOCUMENT - BAVARIA.
This is an award document for the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class, along with the actual decoration. The document measures 6" x 8." The enlisted man who received the decoration served in 2. Hannoversches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr 26. He served in Batterie Nr 3. The award was made on 2 April 1918. The document bears the unit’s regimental stamp. It is signed by a major, who was the regimental commander at the time. The document has been folded into quarters. The 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class is in fine condition. It comes on a short piece of ribbon. $195.00
06-189 1914 IRON CROSS 2nd CLASS AND AWARD DOCUMENT.
This is a mini grouping of the award document and decoration for the Black Army Wound Badge. The document measures 5 3/4" x 8 1/4." The document has been folded into quarters. As the Wound Badge was not authorized until March 1918, many men earned the badge, but did not receive it prior to the war’s end in November 1918. This document is either a replacement document or an award that had not been made previously. It is dated December 1936. It was issued to a Josef Kaufmann. It bears a Third Reich rubber stamp in the lower left corner. I find it interesting that probably a lot of these documents were prepared and issued, as it has a place to note what class (color) the award was for, AND it differentiates between an Army badge and a Navy badge. The accompanying wound badge is in good condition. $95.00
06-190 BLACK ARMY WOUND BADGE - AWARD DOCUMENT.
This is a mini grouping of a 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class and an award document. The man who received the award was a member of Infanterie-Regiment Nr 7 from Bavaria. The award was made in 1920, after WW I ended. The document has been laminated in plastic (not by me). One can see the stains and age on its reverse. One can also tell the document has been folded. The Iron Cross is on an original ribbon that measures 3." $150.00
06-188 1914 IRON CROSS 2nd CLASS AND AWARD DOCUMENT.
06-184 AWARD DOCUMENT - 1914 IRON CROSS 1st
CLASS - FELDWEBEL LEUTNANT - RESERVE-INFANTERIE-REGIMENT NR 212.
This is a combination of an award document for a 1914 Iron Cross and the
actual medal. The document measures 4" X 6 1/2 ". It is typed on onionskin. The
document’s condition is not the greatest. It has some tears. It is complete,
however. The award was made to Feldwebel Leutnant Gebhard, who
served in Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment Nr 212. It appears he was in a
military hospital near Hamburg recovering from wounds he suffered at the
Front. The date is 28 December 1915. It is signed at the bottom in
purple grease pencil. [I cannot read the accompanying comment, or the writer’s
name]. The Iron Cross that goes with it is a very salty, well-used example. It
is very slightly vaulted. The paint’s condition is poor. The pair has a lot of
character.
$395.00
06-192 ENLISTED MAN’S DOCUMENTS AND DECORATIONS - RESERVE-INFANTRY-REGIMENT Nr 56. Today we are offering a set of documents and decorations for an enlistee named Christian Meyer. He was born in 1894 in Bremen. He was called to service in August 1914 and assigned to Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment Nr 75. During the war, Meyer also served in Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment Nr 216, Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment Nr 76, and Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment Nr 56. His militärpaß indicates that he served time in a Machine Gun-Kompagnie within Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment Nr 56. His militärpaß is complete, but in less-than-perfect condition. The documents have pulled free from the cover. Also included in the grouping is the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class Award Document. It was awarded while he was in Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment Nr 56. The document indicates that he was in a Machine Gun Kompagnie and it was awarded in March 1917. The document is signed by the 12. Landwehr-Division’s commanding general. His decoration is included. The decoration and document for the Hindenburg Cross for Combatants with Swords are also included, as are a couple of documents from between the world wars. Finally, the grouping includes an ID card that was issued to him by the British after WW II ended. They administered the German occupation zone in which he lived. It is a fascinating little WW I Machine Gunner group, from a man who survived two world wars. $195.00
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