Original Imperial German WWI Four-Place 23mm Wide Ribbon Bar – Saxon Duchies Decorations
An original Imperial German four-place ribbon bar featuring the desirable wide-format construction, approximately 23mm per ribbon, with an interesting combination of Prussian and Saxon Duchies decorations.
The award combination suggests a decorated First World War veteran with possible connections to the military establishments of the Saxon duchies.
Awards Represented (Left to Right):
Iron Cross 2nd Class (EK2), 1914 – The famous Prussian military decoration awarded for bravery and distinguished wartime service during the First World War.
Saxon Duchies Merit Order (Sachsen-Ernestinischer Hausorden) – The Ducal Saxe-Ernestine House Order, jointly associated with the Ernestine Saxon duchies and awarded for distinguished civil and military merit. Exact class and distinctions are unconfirmed.
Saxon Bronze Merit Medal – A bronze merit decoration associated with one of the Saxon states, recognizing meritorious service. The precise issuing state and official designation require confirmation.
Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918 with Swords (Hindenburg Cross) – Established in 1934 and awarded to qualifying German veterans who served as combatants during the First World War.
Historical Background
The German Empire consisted of numerous kingdoms, grand duchies, duchies, and principalities, each maintaining its own system of orders and decorations.
Among these were the Ernestine Saxon duchies, whose ruling houses shared historical and dynastic connections. The Ducal Saxe-Ernestine House Order was an important decoration within this system, recognizing individuals for distinguished service to the respective ruling houses and states.
The presence of both the Saxon Duchies Merit Order and a Saxon bronze merit decoration suggests a possible connection to one of these smaller German states.
Combined with the 1914 Iron Cross, the decorations are consistent with an individual whose service was recognized during the First World War and who may have received additional honors through earlier military or state service.
The Hindenburg Cross with Swords establishes that the ribbon bar was assembled or updated no earlier than 1934, reflecting the continued wear of Imperial German decorations by veterans during the 1930s.
Collector Significance
The approximately 23mm-wide ribbons give this bar a distinctive appearance compared with the narrower ribbon bars commonly encountered.
Its combination of Prussian and Saxon state decorations offers an interesting opportunity for further research into the military and award systems of the smaller German duchies.
Item Details
Country: Imperial Germany
Period: First World War / 1934 or later veteran wear
Type: Four-place wide ribbon bar
Ribbon width: Approximately 23mm each
Awards: Iron Cross 2nd Class, Saxe-Ernestine House Order, Saxon Bronze Merit Medal, Hindenburg Cross with Swords
Possible association: Military or state service within the Saxon duchies
Condition: Original; see photographs
Item offered: Ribbon bar only; full-size decorations not included
An interesting addition to a collection of Imperial German militaria, Saxon Duchies decorations, German state orders, or First World War ribbon bars.
Original Imperial German WWI Four-Place 23mm Wide Ribbon Bar – Saxon Duchies Decorations
An original Imperial German four-place ribbon bar featuring the desirable wide-format construction, approximately 23mm per ribbon, with an interesting combination of Prussian and Saxon Duchies decorations.
The award combination suggests a decorated First World War veteran with possible connections to the military establishments of the Saxon duchies.
Awards Represented (Left to Right):
Iron Cross 2nd Class (EK2), 1914 – The famous Prussian military decoration awarded for bravery and distinguished wartime service during the First World War.
Saxon Duchies Merit Order (Sachsen-Ernestinischer Hausorden) – The Ducal Saxe-Ernestine House Order, jointly associated with the Ernestine Saxon duchies and awarded for distinguished civil and military merit. Exact class and distinctions are unconfirmed.
Saxon Bronze Merit Medal – A bronze merit decoration associated with one of the Saxon states, recognizing meritorious service. The precise issuing state and official designation require confirmation.
Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918 with Swords (Hindenburg Cross) – Established in 1934 and awarded to qualifying German veterans who served as combatants during the First World War.
Historical Background
The German Empire consisted of numerous kingdoms, grand duchies, duchies, and principalities, each maintaining its own system of orders and decorations.
Among these were the Ernestine Saxon duchies, whose ruling houses shared historical and dynastic connections. The Ducal Saxe-Ernestine House Order was an important decoration within this system, recognizing individuals for distinguished service to the respective ruling houses and states.
The presence of both the Saxon Duchies Merit Order and a Saxon bronze merit decoration suggests a possible connection to one of these smaller German states.
Combined with the 1914 Iron Cross, the decorations are consistent with an individual whose service was recognized during the First World War and who may have received additional honors through earlier military or state service.
The Hindenburg Cross with Swords establishes that the ribbon bar was assembled or updated no earlier than 1934, reflecting the continued wear of Imperial German decorations by veterans during the 1930s.
Collector Significance
The approximately 23mm-wide ribbons give this bar a distinctive appearance compared with the narrower ribbon bars commonly encountered.
Its combination of Prussian and Saxon state decorations offers an interesting opportunity for further research into the military and award systems of the smaller German duchies.
Item Details
Country: Imperial Germany
Period: First World War / 1934 or later veteran wear
Type: Four-place wide ribbon bar
Ribbon width: Approximately 23mm each
Awards: Iron Cross 2nd Class, Saxe-Ernestine House Order, Saxon Bronze Merit Medal, Hindenburg Cross with Swords
Possible association: Military or state service within the Saxon duchies
Condition: Original; see photographs
Item offered: Ribbon bar only; full-size decorations not included
An interesting addition to a collection of Imperial German militaria, Saxon Duchies decorations, German state orders, or First World War ribbon bars.
