Chris Boonzaier

This is a rather large one.... anyone know what it is?

Found these in Addis...

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I found these in Ethiopia, I assume a bit older as they have the Lion of Judah on them. I also assume they had the coulours in them at one stage, butthat they wore off rather fast.... I am guessing that they may be Korean war period, whwn the Ethiopians were serving In Korea next to US trops?

I saw this one on Ebay.... the US Influence is noticable....

Hi Chris, Thanks for enquiring. The vaaast majority of out of the woodwork WW1 German bayonets forund in South Africa are from GSWA and GEA, so I am pretty convinced this is the case here. Best Chris

Very nice indeed... with the later wooden grips. best Chris

but there is a "Ordre National de la Paix (yet no picture)" Which could maybe include the word Congo.... and a Dove (a typical symbol de la Paix) And a bar may be added for other things?

Hi, was a joke... "Travail EN Progres"

That is a fantastic and in depth bit of research! It is what collecting should really be about . Hats off to you!!!!

I imagine there is a fraction of a small % that is in any way documented. Crates and Boxes must have been tossed into Govt wearhouses, laying there for decades, noone knowing what they had, not to mention stuff looted by individual soldiers... then even documented stuff sold to US and German dealers in the early 90s, out of the back door of museums. I think the families request is just done out of principle, I think it is not realistic to imagine that these are laying documented, gathering dust in a vault.

Unfortunately, if the Hofmann is correct, there are more than a few in the book... if ONLY the shoulder straps had been readable!!!!!!!

Fantastic, that is a real work of art. Why not a full sized one. I am sure there is a place or two that would happily display a bronze bust of him. Best Chris

meds

I assume this is a Bavarian Bravery? The guy seems to have been "Hofmann" (one F) living in Friedrich Strasse in München...

I think the motto is now "Travail en Progres" ;-)

If we take Megans description... "Awarded to Moroccans in the UN contingent sent to the Congo Democratic Republic (formerly the Belgian Congo) to keep the peace, 1960-1964." and accept it may probably be right... For me the question still remains, who was it awarded by? I am tending to think a Congolese medal that ended up only being awarded to moroccans. There is no precedent I see with Western script on Morrocan medals? or am I missing something? I recieved a long tirade from a member calling me childish for posting info disagreeing with his opinion and how stupid we all are, but believe if it is so important to him, the ball is in his court to proove its moroccan origin.

Although "3rd Reich" in the way that the Hindenburg Crosses are 3rd Reich, I see it as WW1 because it was for WW1. Technically it may not even be an award, but a distinction... In 1935 (I think) the NS Animal protection association created an award, given out just 1000 times. It was in the form of a small Plaque that was to be put on the stable of Horses that had served in WW1 and were still alive. In addition, they would get a bag of oats a year as a treat. On the plaque was an iron Cross and the word "Kriegskamerad" Does anyone have any further information about this? Thanks Chris

Hmmm ... Even there there is no clear opinion... of course the reseblance to the Ouissam Alouite is evident.... but that means nothing IMHO... many features are copied... French makers of Para wings for African countries often have very French features included 8for example). One could also argue theta the white star has more than enough precedent in Western African medals with the Cameroon Ordre de la Valeur. Best Chris

Hi, It may well be that the collector made a mistake? The white star makes one think of Morocco right away, and Moroccans may have recieved it, leading even local collectors to assume it is Moroccan due to lack of proper documentation? But the Congolese have a precedent with stars as well. Also, Cameroon uses white stars. I have heard some wonderful misrepresentations from collectrs/sellers in Morocco, not through dishonesty, but due to lack of documentation and reference works. best Chris

It is listed here as a Congo Medal http://www.emering.com/medals/french/repfrenchcongo.html

I would remove the tag, there is no added historical value with it. Best Chrs

Fantastic bit of luck there ! Best Chris

Oooooohhh... I bet the girls go crazy when you tell em that!! ;-)

Hi, no problemo, this needs all thoughts in the pot.