The medals on this bar in order of
seniority from left to right are-
German
Colonial
Service Medal
Bulgarian 1915-18 Commemorative War Medal
Hungarian 1914-18 Commemorative
War MedalThis medal
bar poses a mystery as the original owner was apparently German
before and after the First World War but was either Bulgarian or
Hungarian during the war. The three medals show that the original
owner served in a colonial campaign in possibly the Schutztruppe or
Imperial Navy, and in the First World War seemingly in or alongside the Bulgarian
and Austro-Hungarian armies.
The wearing of the German medal in
the most senior position shows the owner was German, or considered
himself such (by serving in the German armed forces or perhaps just
living in Germany) at the time of wearing this bar. The bar can be
dated to the 1930s.
The Hungarian
Commemorative War Medal was instituted in 1929 for Hungarian
veterans of the First World War. The Bulgarian Commemorative War
Medal was instituted in 1933 for Bulgarian veterans of the First
World War. Both medals were also awarded to Germans who served with
or had special relations with the awarding nation during the First
World War.
Curiously he has no German medals for the First World
War. Even for a German attached to the Bulgarian or
Austro-Hungarian armies one would
expect to see an Iron Cross, second class or an 1914-18 Honour Cross
(instituted in 1934) for First World War service.
Recommended External Link -
Antique Photos on the Bulgarian War Medal and the
Hungarian War Medal