France French medal makers hallmark identification...

[RobW]

To one and all,

I have a French makers mark question which I hope you can all help with. Last year I picked up a planchet medal that has a square hallmark and BRONZE inscribed on the edge. The planchet medal has the M. Pautot obverse and L.O. Mattei reverse and is 46 mm in diameter, as per the pic.

While I am reasonably confident that the makers mark belongs to M. Delande I would appreciate any other, or dissenting opinions.

In addition to this particular planchet medal I have a couple of other French medals that have similar square hallmarks which have so far eluded positive identification.

I would appreciate any ideas.

Regards,

Rob

Edited January 20, 2010 by RobW

[RobW]

Here is the Pautot-Mattei planchet medal rim with square mark and BRONZE within a square edge.

Two more rim pics to follow.

Regards,

Rob

Edited January 20, 2010 by RobW

[RobW]

Different medal. Another rim with similar square mark and the same sort of BRONZE mark within a square edge.

Regards,

Rob

Edited January 20, 2010 by RobW

[RobW]

Different medal. The last rim with very similar square mark but with different BRONZE mark.

Regards,

Rob

Edited January 20, 2010 by RobW

[Tim B]

Interesting marks Rob. I'll add one as well, this also square on a miniature Verdun commemorative (Vernier).

The regular Vernier style commemoratives are marked by Monnaise de Paris with the cornucopia and "bronze" on the edge, but this piece is smaller and in silver gilt with the mark on the face. Only one I've seen.

Tim

[RobW]

To all,

A fellow collector in France has assisted with the identification. The first and third medals have Delande marks while the second mark remains unidentified. My thanks to Christophe.

Tim; no idea on your square mark.

Regards,

Rob

Edited January 23, 2010 by RobW

[Bison]

Hi

To Rob : your hallmarks seem to be from Delande (Marius or Paul?). The hallmark is: [M - a bee - D](before 1942) or [P - a bee - D](after 1942).

To Tim : your hallmark is not for silver. If it was silver, the hallmark must be in a diamond and not in a square. Square is devoted to bronze and all common metals but not for silver (or silver gilt), gold and platinum.

Regards

Bison

Edited January 23, 2010 by Bison

[Tim B]

Hi Bison,

Okay, thank you for the information. The piece is gilted though and I wasn't aware they gilted bronze pieces. Any idea "who"?

Tim :cheers:

[RobW]

Hi

To Rob : your hallmarks seem to be from Delande (Marius or Paul?). The hallmark is: [M - a bee - D](before 1942) or [P - a bee - D](after 1942).

Regards

Bison

Hello Bison,

Thanks for the confirmation. I have also posted a request on a French forum so I am hoping for other eyes to also see.

Regards,

Rob

[RobW]

Interesting marks Rob. I'll add one as well, this also square on a miniature Verdun commemorative (Vernier).

The regular Vernier style commemoratives are marked by Monnaise de Paris with the cornucopia and "bronze" on the edge, but this piece is smaller and in silver gilt with the mark on the face. Only one I've seen.

Tim

Tim,

If you head across to the following excellent web-site, run by a very knowledgeable French gentleman Pierre-Yves Raynier, it does provide a very comprehensive area on the Verdun medal. The site is all in French so if you can read French it's all good; if not the web-auto translators do a sufficient job.

In particular your specimen is illustrated with the mark you have inquired about belonging to Paul Leclére (a medals manufacturer of the 1920's).

Here is the site:

http://www.medailles...medailledd.html

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Rob

Edited January 24, 2010 by RobW

[Tim B]

Hi Rob!

Many thanks and I completely forgot about that guy's site! Yes, he has some excellent information across the board and what I understand, is a great person to deal with or ask questions on awards.

And...you can see he has the same example, though I will have to loop my piece to confirm the maker's mark is actually the same. Many thanks!

Tim

Edited January 24, 2010 by Tim B