St Olav Order Knights

Enjoy!

1847 St Olav Knight badge

Country........: Norway
Order name.: St Olav
Type/subset.: Knight
Date..............: 1847 model

Jeweller.: Christian Hammer
.Period...: 1845-1870
Owner....: Livrustkammaren
Awarded:

Height (mm):
Width (mm).:
Weight (gr)..:
Tracking #...: N156x

This is first version of the Grand Cross and Commander badge of the St Olav Olav 1847 version. Nor many of this is in existance today.

The crowns of the Os are the open type.

1847 St Olav Knight badge

Country........: Norway
Order name.: St Olav
Type/subset.: Knight
Date..............: 1847 model

Jeweller.:
.Period...:
Owner....:
Awarded:

Height (mm):
Width (mm).:
Weight (gr)..:
Tracking #...: N200x

This is a picture from the book of N. Leganger 'Den Kongelige Norske St Olavs Orden', 1913. It is supposed to be the first version of the Grand Cross and Commander badge of the St Olav Olav 1847 version. But there are numerous differences from this to the 1847 model.

The crowns of the Os are the open type.

1847 St Olav Knight badge

Country........: Norway
Order name.: St Olav
Type/subset.: Knight
Date..............: 1847 model

Jeweller.:
.Period...:
Owner....:
Awarded:

Height (mm):
Width (mm).:
Weight (gr)..:
Tracking #...: N204x

These are pictures from the book of N. Leganger 'Den Kongelige Norske St Olavs Orden', 1913. Even more variations to this drawing.

The crowns of the Os are the open type.

1850 St Olav Knight badge - Military version

Country........: Norway
Order name.: St Olav
Type/subset.: Knight - Military version
Date..............: 1850 estimated

Jeweller.:
.Period...:
Owner....: Beaussant Lefevre auction
Awarded: Hans Pierre Abdon Castelnau

Height (mm): 59
Width (mm).: 39
Weight (gr)..: 16.4
Tracking #...: N256x

It is assumed that it was Henri Pierre Abdon Castelnau that was awarded this St Olav knight. Castelnau was a French General and Advisor to Emperor Napoleon III. He has been awarded
the St Olav Commander 21.8.1861 in Stockholm.
And the St Olav Grand Cross 9.8.1862 in Christiana (i.e. todays Oslo).
This will be investigated further. It is also noted that the hinge below the crown is a very uncommon type.

The crowns of the Os are the closed type.

General Castelnau with some of his orders to the left.

To the right: Henri-Pierre Castelnau together with Adjutant Daniel Nordlander (upper left), with Adjutant Fritz von Dardel, Ordonnance Officer Ferdinand-Alphonse Hamelin, King Charles XV of Sweden and Prince Oscar, future King Oscar II of Sweden. Likely at the International Exposition (1867) in Paris, France.

Henri-Pierre Castelnau, born July 30, 1814 in Prades (Pyrénées-Orientales) and died November 1, 1890 in Paris, is a French soldier, general of division. He should not be confused with Henri de Castelnau (1813-1894), anatomist doctor.

His military career is rich and varied. Here are some key moments in his life:
Polytechnic and Debut School :
-In 1834, he joined the École Polytechnique.
-In 1836 he became a second lieutenant in the 14th light infantry regiment.
-In 1837, he joined the École d'Application d'état-Pajor in Paris.
-He was patented lieutenant in 1839.

Conflicts and Recognitions :
-He participated in the conflict in Algeria, where he was cited twice to the order of the Oran division.
-Back in France, he was assigned to the 7th regiment of dragons in Mont de Marsan.
-He was promoted to captain in 1842 and became aide-de-camp to General Hecquet.

Career and Recognition :
-He was seconded to the staff of the Compiègne camp and received the Legion of Honor from King Louis Philippe in 1843.
-He participated in the Rome campaign from 1849 to 1850.
-He was seconded to Pope Pius IX as secretary general of the Pontifical Ministry of Arms.
-In 1853 he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and made an officer of the Legion of Honor.

Aide de Camp and Commander :
-From 1853 to 1856, he was aide-de-camp to Marshal Magnan, Minister of War.
-Promoted colonel in 1856, he became chief of staff to the minister in 1858.
-He accompanies Napoleon III in his magazines and weapons, becoming his aide-de-camp.
-He is elevated to the dignity of Commander of the Legion of Honor.

Henri-Pierre Castelnau has left an indelible mark in French military history and has served with distinction throughout his career

1847 St Olav Knight badge

Country........: Norway
Order name.: St Olav
Type/subset.: Knight
Date..............: 18551226 awarded

Jeweller.: Hammer
.Period...: 1845-1870
Owner....:
Awarded: Frederic Marie Edouard Moisez

Height (mm): 53.8
Width (mm).: 36.4
Weight (gr)..: 13
Tracking #...: N255

This St Olav looks at first sight as the 1847 type. However there are small that are different from the N156x on the top of this page.
1-The crown on the small center Lion is different.
2-The head of the axe is different.
3-The big crown on top is different specially on the curvature at the bottom.
4-The small Os have a pattern on one and not the other.
5-The hinge has a pattern on one and not the other.

The crowns of the Os are the closed type.

The last photo is an old French military document from 1860 stating the St Olav order to Moisez.

1857 St Olav Knight badge - with Diamonds

Country........: Norway
Order name.: St Olav
Type/subset.: Knight with Brilliants
Date..............: 1857 awarded with brilliants

Jeweller.:
.Period...:
Owner....:
Awarded:

Height (mm):
Width (mm).:
Weight (gr)..:
Tracking #...: N388x

St Olav with Brilliants are not a common sight. I have never seen one personally for the last 30 years. These are not to be returned to the King as they are a personal and special gift from the King.
Conradi was awarded the standard Knight 21. August 1855. Then he was later in 1857 given the brillianted version at a ceremoni in Stockholm. I have seen paintings of him and these give an indication of the awarded knight. One day a real photo will turn up so we all can enjoy such a beautiful order.

1860 St Olav Knight badge

Country........: Norway
Order name.: St Olav
Type/subset.: Knight
Date..............: 1860 estimated

Jeweller.:
.Period...:
Owner....:
Awarded:

Height (mm):
Width (mm).:
Weight (gr)..:
Tracking #...: N338x

This St Olav has a futuristic look. Certainly the Os are very different from the standard types. Also several other issues are different. Like the split tail of the Lion. And the cutting of the hinge.

The crowns of the Os are the closed type.

1860 St Olav Knight badge - Military version

Country........: Norway
Order name.: St Olav
Type/subset.: Knight Military
Date..............: 1860 estimated

Jeweller.: French?
.Period...:
Owner....: The Rosenborg Castle Copenhagen
Awarded:

Height (mm):
Width (mm).:
Weight (gr)..:
Tracking #...: N456x

This Knight is probably made far away from Norway. Maybe France? One clear indication of this is that the pattern behind the central red enamel is cirular. Then normal patteren is radial like pieces of cake or pizza. The swords are not enamelled and they point down. Normally they should point up.

The crowns of the Os are the open type.

1860 St Olav Knight badge

Country........: Norway
Order name.: St Olav
Type/subset.: Knight
Date..............: 1860 estimated

Jeweller.: Christian Hammer
.Period...: 1845-1870
Owner....: ex-Riibe Mynthandel
Awarded:

Height (mm): 59
Width (mm).: 40
Weight (gr)..: 15.7
Tracking #...: N051

This Knight is a typical Hammer made piece. One small thing which I pesonally do not like is when they have drilled holes in the Lion to do a quicker job. You see this where the Lion holds the axe and there is drilled hole between the front legs. There is also one in the curled tail. Looking at the top of the hinge inside the crown you will see four vertical scratches. This is typical of Christian Hammer. He also often designs very powerful orders and very detailed parts.

The crowns of the Os are the closed type.

1860 St Olav Knight badge - Military version

Country........: Norway
Order name.: St Olav
Type/subset.: Knight - Military version
Date..............: 1860 estimated

Jeweller.: Christian Hammer
.Period...: 1845-1870
Owner....: ex-Finn Weirum
Awarded:

Height (mm): 59.5
Width (mm).: 39
Weight (gr)..: 13.9
Tracking #...: N130

This Knight is also a typical Hammer made piece. This is the Military version with the Swords pointing down.

The crowns of the Os are the closed type.

1860 St Olav Knight badge

Country........: Norway
Order name.: St Olav
Type/subset.: Knight
Date..............: 1860 estimated

Jeweller.: Christian Hammer
.Period...: 1845-1870
Owner....: ex-Finn Weirum
Awarded:

Height (mm): 59
Width (mm).: 39
Weight (gr)..: 13.9
Tracking #...: N132

This Knight is also a typical Hammer made piece. This is slightly different in the hinge and the Os compared to N130.

The crowns of the Os are the closed type.

1860 St Olav Knight badge - Military version

Country........: Norway
Order name.: St Olav
Type/subset.: Knight - Military version
Date..............: 1860 estimated

Jeweller.: Carlman
.Period...: 1876-2014
Owner....: ex-Finn Weirum
Awarded:

Height (mm): 58
Width (mm).: 40
Weight (gr)..: 17
Tracking #...: N133

This Knight is typical of the Carlman era. Please note the flat and wide crown of this type. As Carlman was established in Stockholm Sweden he produced a lot of the Swedish orders and one see a lot of similarities between the Swedish and Norwegian orders. The crossed swords are pointing up towards the sky.

The crowns of the Os are the open type.

1860 St Olav Knight badge

Country........: Norway
Order name.: St Olav
Type/subset.: Knight
Date..............: 1860 estimated

Jeweller.: Carlman
.Period...: 1876-2014
Owner....: Küenker
Awarded:

Height (mm):
Width (mm).:
Weight (gr)..: 16.6
Tracking #...: N309x

This Knight is also typical of the Carlman era. Again please note the flat and wide crown of this type. As Carlman was established in Stockholm Sweden he produced a lot of the Swedish orders and one see a lot of similarities between the Swedish and Norwegian orders. This is the Civilian version of the order. This Knight has a slightly slimmer version of the hinge below the main croqn.

The crowns of the Os are the open type.