(Kaiserliche Marine Abzeichen und Papiere). An extensive lot of awards and documents from the estate of Oberbootsmannsmaat Paul Siegmann, a highly-decorated U-Boat crewman of the First World War. It includes:
1. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with three central oak leaves, the six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, unmarked, measuring 43.85 mm (w) x 47.36 mm (h), weighing 14.5 grams, in extremely fine condition.
2. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, constructed of iron and silver, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the reverse with an elongated block hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, maker marked “K.A.G.” for an unidentified manufacturer, measuring 43.57 mm (w) x 43.46 mm (h), weighing 15.8 grams, cracks are visible to the core where the six and nine o’clock arms meet the centre, in overall very fine condition.
3. A U-Boat War Badge, constructed of gilded tombak, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel leaf wreath, topped by a German State Crown, overlaid by a central U-Boat on a hollow background, the reverse with a barrel hinge and horizontal pinback meeting a round wire catch, unmarked, measuring 49.94 mm (w) x 46.98 mm (h), weighing 28.8 grams, in extremely fine condition.
4. An Ottoman War Medal of 1915, constructed of a silvered bronze alloy with enamels, consisting of a five-pointed star with ball finials, the obverse with a red enameled base, with a central monogram of Sultan Mehmed V and a date of “1915” above a silvered crescent moon, the reverse with a horizontal pinback on a rectangular baseplate, maker marked “B.B. & CO.” (possibly for Brüder Binder), measuring 57.06 mm (w) x 55.41 mm (h), weighing 27.9 grams, in extremely fine condition.
5. A Hamburg Hanseatic Cross, constructed of silvered bronze with enamels, on loop for suspension, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse with red enameled arms, with a central silvered coat of arms, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR VERDIENST IM KRIEGE 1914” (“FOR MERIT IN WAR 1914”), unmarked, measuring 40.19 mm (w) x 44.09 mm (h), measuring 18.9 grams, in near extremely fine condition.
6. A Prussian 9-Year Long Service Medal, constructed of silvered bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised central crown, circumscribed by an inscription of “TREUE DIENSTE BEI DER FAHNE” (“FAITHFUL SERVICE TO THE CROWN”), the reverse bearing a raised central number “9” in Roman numerals, unmarked, measuring 29.98 mm in diameter, weighing 15.0 grams, in near extremely fine condition.
7. An Austrian Bravery Medal in Silver, constructed of silver, on loop for suspension from it period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised rightward-facing profile of Emperor Franz Joseph, circumscribed by name and title, the reverse bearing a raised central inscription of “DER TAPFERKEIT” (“TO BRAVERY”), within a laurel leaf wreath, the obverse marked “TAUTENHEYN”, measuring 31.26 mm in diameter, weighing 17.8 grams, in near extremely fine condition.
8. An Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with crossed swords through the centrepiece, the obverse with central wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse bearing an unidentified maker’s mark, measuring 37.69 mm (w) x 43.26 mm (h), weighing 15.1 grams, in near extremely fine condition.
9. A studio portrait of an Imperial Navy sailor, depicted in uniform, the reverse in postcard format with a handwritten dedication from a friend with a date of “1918”, measuring 90 mm (w) x 138 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
10. An extensive grouping of miscellaneous documents, including passes for leave, citations, field post, and newspaper clippings, named to Siegmann where applicable, in overall very fine condition.