An interesting civil / political medal from the Italian facist state issued when the state took over the “General Confederation of Italian Industry” as part of Mussolini’s policy to control all aspects of Italian life. The General confederation of Italian industry is still in existence today (2019) in Italy under the name of Confindustria with more than 113000 companies continuing to meet and agree labour and business practices.
NOTE: This Italian medal was submitted to Medalcheck for identification from a person outside the medal collector community and for this reason is submitted by Admin rather than the members of this site.
Any additional information collectors may possess would be greatly welcomed either via commenting the medal below or via the contact function.
Later version of the Karl Wurster GAB (small w maker mark at 11 o’clock position). Compared to the earlier version of the General assault badge of the same manufacturer it can be seen that the medal is:
– Of a different finish (silver coloured paint wash vs silver enamel paint / electrolyte)
– Uses a different Hinge (Folded stamped metal vs Block hinge)
The obverse detailing shows commonality with the earlier variant so one can assume that the moulds of the badge were not changed but re used with the new metal composition.
An early example of the small w GAB (General Assault Bage) from manufacturer Karl Wurster. The badge is made from zinc which is then silvered and evidence of this can be seen on the rear of the badge where “zinc pest” (corrosion of the zinc) has produced bubbling beneth the silver coating.
Please see the later example of this badge by the same manufacturer which is also in the medal database.
Manufactured by B.H.L a Germany WW1 War service cross (Hindenberg cross) without swords medal. Manufacturer marking is in the center of the rear of the cross and is impressed / stamped into the medal.
A world war one War service cross without swords for Non Combatants from the manufacturer O.14 (marker mark in relief on lower arm of cross on medal reverse). Currently O.14 is an unidentified German medal manufacturer therefore any possible clarification would be gratefully received.
The Hindenberg cross (unofficial nomenclature) without swords would have been awarded to members of the WW1 German armed forces serving behind the lines or for organisations such as Firefighters or Policemen (Public servants) in Germany. Also included in the potential awardess would be leaders of industry supporting the war effort. EG Military materials suppliers.
German WW1 war service cross medal with swords. Manufactured by LAUER NURNBG-BERLIN, Lauer of Nurenberg and Berlin. Maker mark (hersteller in German) is in relief on the reverse of the medal in the lower arm of the cross.
Interestingly a Plough takes the place of the sickle in the “hammer and sickle” rendering on the reverse of this Sovier jubilee medal commemorating sixty years of the Soviet armed forces.
Obverse: A soviet soldier stands in the foreground with a “thousand yard stare” whilst the backgound incorperates ICBM’s (Inter continental ballistic missiles) on the left and a submarine on the right. Above this scene two flanker interceptor jets fly in formation. The dates 1918 1978 are immediately above the submarine and in relief.
Reverse: The aforementioned plough and sickle combination sits centrally superimposed upon a lotus leaf stylized soviet star. In the backgound a standard rifle with bayonet afixed and a sabe sword are crossed. Cyrillic lettering around the edge of the obverse of the medal completes the border / framing of the central motif.
French Inter war medal in Bronze for the Upper Silesia (Haute Silesia) campaign. In the post first world war years a plebiscite, admistered by the allied powers, was established in Upper Silesia whilst political discussions went on to award to the territory to either Germany or Poland.
The medal is made from Bronze and although considered a French medal (predominately awarded to French armed forces) the medal was actually issued by the Inter Allied government of Upper Silesia. This is recognised by the raised lettering on the reverse “COMMISSION INTERALLIEE DE GOUVERNEMENT ET DE PLEBISCITE” 1920 – 1922 dates in relief.
First world war “Hindenberg” cross with swords. Obverse is comprised 1914-1918 dates surrounded by a laurel wreath superimposed upon the cross. The G.5 maker mark has not been attributed.
Note: Some collectors consider the gothic script G to be in fact a B
Hindenberg cross with swords or correctly known as first world war, war service cross with crossed swords (denotes combat experience or at least belonging to the armed forces). This example manufacturer marked C.P.