Original German WWI & WWII 7-Place Medal Bar with Photograph of Recipient Wearing Medals - Administrative Official

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a stellar German medal bar with seven medals, most of which are from the WWI era. There is are 3rd and 2nd Class Wehrmacht Long Service Awards (12 and 18 years) from the WWII era, but no WWII Combat medals. From the included photograph, we can tell that the officer is an Administrative Official, equivalent to a Field Grade officer, and would not have seen combat in WWII. They have the correct braided shoulder boards with stripes and we can just barely make out the HV cypher. The photo is an RPPC which is not named but does have the photographer’s information stamped on the back.

The medals on the bar include:
- Imperial German WWI Iron Cross 1914 2nd Class Medal.
- WWI Bavarian Military Merit Cross 1st Class with Enamel face.
- Imperial German WWI Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (Hindenburg Cross) Medal with Swords (for combat).
- WWI Bavarian Prince Regent Luitpold Jubilee Medal for the Army.
- German WWII 3rd Class Wehrmacht Long Service Award - 12 Years
- German WWII 4th Class Wehrmacht Long Service Award - 18 Years
- WWI Hungarian WWI Commemorative Medal with Helmet on Reverse for German recipients.

Looking closely at the medal bar on the man’s chest, the small details of each medal are very similar, along with the prong design that keeps the planchets attached to the bar. Of note, the prongs for the Bavarian Military Merit Cross (2nd in line) appear to be missing the top prong, so the medal itself comes off if turned upside down. This isn’t an issue for display, however.

This is a very interesting set that requires further research! This is the first time we’ve seen a German medal bar with an associated photograph of the soldier wearing it! Comes ready for further research and display.