Bilco

Hi Gents - it just so happens that I have just downloaded the pictures that accompany the Cuban item: The details state that the obverse is marked CHOBILLON. There is a triangle mark on the edge, but I'm not sure what the mark well to the right of it is. Asking price US$1,199.99. Bill

Hi Gents, An interesting Cuban vic on eBay - and an interesting price. Item no 390428560487. Bill

Hi Gents, A couple more medals that my father won for hockey: Following on from the Suez League football medal - The RAF Canal North League hockey medal for 1948. Diameter 39mm. And from Malta, c 1950 - Diameter 32mm Bill

Hi Gents, Well, after several failed attempts I finally managed to get hold of a Cuban vic. Unfortunately, I was in competition with Lambert on a couple, although we didn't realize it at the time, but he's still talking to me! The medal was in this state when I got it: A bit dirty and with some thick verdigris in places on the obverse. I attempted a clean up after some expert advice with the following result: A little over-enthusiastic around the sword hilt, but the verdigris was particularly stubborn there. The are still traces where it is sitting in the fine details, but I thought I'd better not do any more to it. The reverse was clear of verdigris and is in good condition. The all-important BRONZE (or in this case 'RONZE') and AC in triangle Chobillon mark on the edge. Finally, I fitted one of the French ribbons from contoutos. Any comments welcome. Bill

Was he a medical doctor? If so, he could have been on the staff in the field hospital - hence no wound badge. Just my two penn'orth. Bill

Hi Gents, My latest acquisition - the French-made repro Japanese vic: Obverse Reverse The planchet diameter is a fraction under 37mm, and all the detail is very crisp and clear. The thickness is 1.8mm, and the edge shows regular file marks: Edge There are no 'Made in France' or 'Bronze' markings on the rim or suspension ring Any comments welcome. Bill

Hi Rick, I assume you mean the WW1 Victory medal? I've wondered about them, as I've seen some Indian Army ones that seem to have much less detail in the figure of Victory. I suggest you repost your query in the Victory Medal section (if I have understood correctly) - http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/48253-british-victory-medals/page__st__60 The real experts can comment on it then! Bill

Hi Gents, My father was presented with this silver medal while an Aircraft Apprentice at RAF Halton in the mid-1930s. It was the Barrington-Kennett Trophy for Inter-Wing hockey, and he won it at Junior level in 1935 and Senior level in 1936 - as the bars show. The medal was made by Boucher Ltd of London, is hallmarked for London and 'F A & Co', and came in a very smart case. Obverse Reverse Ribbon and bars Case. Not bad for 16- and 17-year olds! Bill

Hi Gents, Further to my last post, I now have an example of the first type - 'superbe tissage ancien' - and here is a comparison of the two types with a piece of original ribbon: On the left the 'superbe tissage ancien' and on the right the 'tissage récent' . The first type seems to be quite a good match for the original, but the second is more like some of the Czech-made ribbons - possibly a use for it there. Bill

Hi Gents, I've been looking for some French ribbon to replace incorrect items on vics I've bought. I found a French seller on eBay who has good quality ribbon - the name is contoutos and there are two types:- The first is described as 'superbe tissage ancien' - item 140638754813, and the other as 'tissage récent' - item 130600071521. They come in lengths of 14cm. I bought a length of the second type and it is watered on one side only, but very good quality. The seller has a big eBay store with lots of replacement ribbons. I have no connection with the seller - other than being a satisfied customer! Bill

Hi Gents, My latest acquisition - the French-made version of the Czechoslovakian Vic. Obverse: Reverse: And the BRONZE and AC triangle on the edge: 36.3mm diameter, with a rather faded French ribbon. Any comments welcome. Bill

Hi Gents, I need your expertise to resolve a little mystery. I have, temporarily, three examples of the Official French vic by Morlon, struck by the Paris Mint. Two of them have planchets exactly the same diameter, 35mm +, while the third is slightly but noticibly smaller - about 0.5mm. They are all the same thickness at the edge. However, the two bigger ones are thicker over the figure of Victory than the smaller one - if you lay them side by side, obverse uppermost, and put a straight-edge across the ladies' chests (and haven't we all done this at one time or another?) the smaller one is noticibly lower. Finally, the Paris Mint cornucopia and BR mark on the larger two is inset from the rim, while on the smaller it's right on the rim. So is there any significance in one being smaller - is it a reissue, or just a different set of dies? Is a reissue going to be a bright finish compared with the original version? Any comments welcome, Bill

Hi Gents - E-bay has it's uses! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-18278641 Bill

OK - after having done 32 years in the RAF I qualify for the 'Never got a Ribbon' ribbon, plus the 'HeadquartersTour' ribbon with one skull, the 'Never Served with the UN' ribbon with one Globe, and finally the 'Captain (Equivalent) For Life' Ribbon with 5 sets of bars. Not bad, considering I did 8 tours as aircrew on front-line squadrons. I was shaping up well to get the coverted '21 Years a Captain' ribbon when, with 6 months to go, someone pulled my name out of the hat and promoted me! Bill

Hi Lambert - A good find, and well worth getting an original ribbon. Bill

Hi Gents, Thank you for your responses to my anniversary announcement! Yes, I'm slipping down a rapidly increasing slope - although I don't think I'll be able to acquire another 21 over the next 12 months. I should have made it clear that the 28 doesn't include duplicate types and, like you Lambert, I don't have the Brazil, Cuba, and Siam versions. There seem to be so many variations on each of the other countries to keep me busy, and those French medalliers have done their best to keep the number up. Then if I get bored I can start in on the US clasps .... Bill

Hi Gents - More on the theme of Morlon! My latest acquisition 'avec boite et barette' The box has no markings, but the bar has the remains of a blue paper label, with the initials G.D.G. on the right hand end. This view of the reverse shows that the Paris Mint cornucopia and BR are very clear - Any comments welcome. Bill

Hi Gents, I see it's the first anniversary of my joining GMIC today. When I joined I had 7 vics - today I have 28! Thank you for your company over this last year, and for all your friendly help and advice - it's very much appreciated. Bill

Hi Gents, My latest acquisition - the Greece Unofficial Type 2 - Apart from the replacement British ribbon, the planchet is just over 37mm diameter and just over 2mm thick. There is a split in the ribbed suspension ring which is tightly closed. My Official Type and Unofficial Type 1 have a very dark, dull patina, while this is lighter and slightly shiny. Any comments welcome. Bill

Hi Rob, Many thanks for your comments on your Type 1 - It certainly appears that the wire suspension is the norm for the Type 1 and Type 2. Which brings us back to the one on the French site - http://www.medailles...-interalli.html According to the site the Type 1 shownl has the CASA DA-MOEDA makers mark, and the picture shows the proper diacritical marks on the C and A of Civilisacao. Maybe the suspension has been repaired, or it's a one-off from the Mint - or a fake? Bill

Hi Gents, Another variation on a theme of Morlon - my latest acquisition: With triangle of Janvier-Berchot and BR. It came on a piece of the British ribbon, which I've swopped for the proper French item. Bill

I only had occasion to wear an RAF sword when part of a Guard of Honour at service weddings, so never had the 'L' shaped hooks sewn to my No 1 jacket to support the swordbelt - without them the belt quickly sagged down on the left side from the weight of the sword and scabbard, and looked extremely scruffy. After the WRAF had been absorbed into the RAF, and servicewomen had the right to bear arms, we were amused to hear that a special three-quarter length sword was being introduced for female officers. Obviously part of the latest defence cuts, we agreed. Bill

HI Gents, As Rob suggests, I'm showing this source for replacement Czech ribbon, found on eBay. This is the ribbon : The item is at http://www.ebay.co.u...984.m1438.l2649 The seller is reproduction.military, based in Birmingham. I have no connection with the seller! Bill

Hi Lambert - Just come across this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150664263633?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 Any good? Bill

Hi Gents - I thought I might have something a little different here - Looks like a standard Morlon French Vic ... ... but it appearsto have no 'BR' after the cornucopia, at least to a casual glance ... ... however, under magnification you can see two vestigal bumps where the 'BR' should be. There is very little to be felt if I run my thumb-nail over the spot, but after a couple of goes the bumps have got some highlighting, so are more visible than they were. As the medal isn't worn at all I guess it's down to the die. Bill