Gordon Williamson

Plain reverse with Kanji characters spelling out "Order of Merit Decoration"

Obverse shows a cluster of Paulonia leaves with flowers above.

Introduced 10 April 1875. Awarded to both civilians and military. The majority of the lower grades as shown here were military.

The reverse is plain with the inscription "Order of Merit Decoration"

Despite looking brand new, this is an original 1930s piece, the period during which the tiny "M" mark of the Osaka Mint was applied on the lower arm

Awarded for both civil and military merit. The obverse design shows in the centre the legendary Yata Mirror, symbolising purity. Apparently so sacred, that even the emperor was not permitted to look into it. The circular discs represent the Yasakani jewels, which legend has it the Gods hung on the trees to entice the sun godess out of hiding and bring light to the world.

Introduced 4 January 1888. Comes in eight grades. This is the lowest, 8th Grade. I weill add the higher grades as I obtain them.

Reverse shows a representation of the mountains of northern China, the Kanji below reading " China Incident"

Obverse shows not an eagle but "yata-no-karasu" a mythical giant crow, under the Cysanthemum and flanked by two Rising Sun flags. Once again the Kanji on the ribbon bar just say "War Medal"

Awarded to those who served in the Japanese Army in China between 1937-45. Interesting use of the term "Incident" to describe a war lasting 8 years !!

The reverse shows two Japanese steel helmets over Kanji spelling out the inscription "Showa 6th Year to 9th Year Incident"

The bird shown on the obverse is not an eagle but the legendary Golden Kite, perched on a shield with the Cherry Blossom emblem above.

The Japanese characters of "Kanji" on the bar on the ribbon reads simply "War Medal"

Introduced on 23 July 1934 for those who served in Manchuria with the Kwantung Army.

Rick,

Did a bit more checking. The Dutch built vessels were the Birinc Inon? and the Ikinci Inon?. The Italian boats were the Dumlupinar and the Sakarya.

Saldiray, Yildiray and G?r were built in Germany.

No more were added until the late 1940s. They got 8 from the US and 3 from Britain in the 1950s.

More modern US types came in the 1970s and between the mid 1970s and mid 1980s six new German subs, three built in Germany and three in Turkey built under license.

Apparently the greatest number of subs serving in the Turkish Navy at any one time has been 10. So, Turkish sub badges from any period are relatively scarce.

What always amused me about the Gode copies is that they issued a "certificate of authenticity" with them. Along the lines of "This is certified to be a genuine Gode piece of crap" (Paraphrasing of course )

Michel

Yes I have the reverse view. I'll edit this post to add the photo when I get home. It was presented to Otto Koehler by the crew of U-377. It was fire damaged which melted the solder attaching the pin fitting which has now disappeared. The badge was recently donated to the U-Boot Archiv by U-Boat historian Jak Mallmann Showell.

Made using original left over wartime components. Note the recess for the hinge block into which the usual screwback "pin" to prevent the piece rotating, has been soldered.

Okay its only a 57er, but a beautiful quality very early piece

Darrell,

I agree with you. This is an often emotive subject but at the end of the day its a matter of personal choice. I would certain shy away from "cleaning" real old stuff like, say a nicely toned real silver Imperial 1870 EK where I think the patina definitely adds to the charm.

However, as Dave has suggested, silver "dipping" can bring up the frosted finish on more recent (i.e. WW2 ) period pieces quite magnificently.

I've seen "dipped" pieces (i.e. an EK1 Spange) where the "frosted" finish on a grungy looking piece ( frosted finish doesn't develop a nice patina, it just goes grungy and dirty looking) has been brought back to its original appearance alongside untouched minty pieces and there is no way to tell the difference so it doesn't spoil an attractive patina in these circumstances.

Hi Rick,

Turkey's first submarines were two ancient Nordenfeldt vessels built in 1889 and which were refurbished for Turkey. They then purchased two Dutch built subs in 1928, and two Italian built vessels in 1931. Germany contributed a further two in the mid 1930s. Overall, thier sub "fleet" was pretty tiny, so these badges are rather rare.

The badge shown was issued to officers and came with a miniature for dress wear.

Junior ranks had a once piece version of similar design but with the sub contained entirely within the wreath, not overlapped at the sides, on a solid centre field and with the letters TC just below the Crescent moon. This version was dropped in 1935.

The modern design of this badge has a wider laurel wreath and is of much poorer quality.

The finest U-Boat Badge of all, on the D?nitz Baton.

Hand made U-Boat badge, made by the crew for their commander.

Unterseeboots=Flotille ribbon being worn

Interesting Imperial commemorative piece celebrating the success of the famed U-9.

The U-Cruiser Flotilla ( the extra large ocean going U-Boats)

The Flanders Flotilla