CCCP or Soviet Veteran of Labour type 2 medal. Differs from the Type 1 (fabricated from solid silver) and Type 3 (plain metal obverse) examples with its blued metal obverse and construction from silver plated tombac. This is a commonly encountered medal with over 40 million issued.
So far only able to identify this as an Ukranian medal. Any additional information much appreciated!
South African Police medal for faithful service. Obverse with “Police service” and “Polisiedienst” in raised lettering surrounding the South African coat of arms. On teh reverse “For faithful service” a horizontal raised line and then “Vir Troue Diens”. In the base of the reverse is the Sterling silver .925 and RMP hallmarks.
Around the rim the medal is named to “186.1/SERSANT. W.J COX SWAP” – Sergeant in the South West Africa Police.
1st type Spanish civil war medal.
These 1st type medals are difficult to determine from Photos only. They are considerably heavier than the later versions and the detailing is not so fine. Later issues (manufactured up until the 1990’s) are commonly encountered in their box and grease proof paper from the company INDUSTRIAS EGANA.
Obverse depicts the Spanish eagle above a shield of the different Spanish Regions and the Falange sheath of arrows. At the base is a stylized representation of a medieval knights helmet. The words “ARRIBA ESPANA” – Literally translated to “Go Spain” appear imemdiatly below the ribbon ring attachment. UNA GRANDE LIBRE IMPERIAL is inscribed around the lower rim translating to “A great free Empire”
On the Obverse the Lion of Facism is seen to defeat the Communist eagle (Curious that both sides claimed the eagle as their emblem… But then again both sides considered God to be on their side as well) under the rays of a sun burst. This scene is superimosed upon the Catholic cross. In the upper left corner can be found “17 JULIO 1936” effectivly the start of hostilities following the declaration of a Coup at 1700 that day.
Kriegsabzeichen für Hilfskreuzer or Auxiliary Cruiser badge attributed to Foerster & Barth due to marked examples existing.
Pay particular attention to the areas of fine detail to determine originality when comparing these images to examples you may have in your possesion or you are interested in acquiring. Note that the gold wash can extend to the rear of the badge or not be present as in this case. I would strongly suggest not considering the “Paintjob” when evaluating this particular Aux cruiser badge from this manufacturer.
The USA was no different from other allied nations and at the end of the great war (world war one) issued an inter allied victory medal. Notable about the USA victory medal is that the USA was the only country to issue bars shwing either the zone of service or particular battles or engagements.
Crimea war medal 1854-1856 with one of the five possible clasps – Sebastopol. Whislt the condition is “well loved” as a used car dealer would say the naming on the rim is very interesting.
LIEGEOLS or LIEGEOIS with no unit makes me think it has been issued to a French soldier. However to complicate matters further the French in the time of the crimean campaign (1854-6) LIEGEOIS were a Belgian unit serving with the French forces. Would the medals be named to a unit directly? Or is this a surname for a Soldier with some family conection to Liege?
WW1 British war medal trio of 1914 15 star, british war medal and victory presented to M2-103627 PTE W.D.TURNER ASC, a private in the Army service corps.
If anyone can explain the Soldiers prefix of M2- and its significance I would appreciate it!
The German wound badges were awarded in both the first and second World wars and principally in three grades – Black (Wounded once), Silver (3 wounds) and Gold (5 times wounded) – however in the event of the soldiers death any one of the grades could be awarded.
Shown here is a frequently encountered Stamped steel WW1 version.
Croix du Guerre WW1 France. The set are of four dates. The 1914-1918 the most common, you find easy.