Marcon1

Thank you.

Hi Archie,

I've a picture/drawing of a Cross of Gallantry with a sideways head - any idea ??

Regards, Marcon1.

Hiya,

Some more information (pictures) of variations + clarification to Archie's South African Prisons Service Medal for Faithful Service (40 Years) (1980-1996).

The medal is that of the South African Prisons Service Medal for Faithful Service (30 Years) (1980 - 1996) - the 40 years is denoted by the clasp. 

South African Prisons Service Medal for Faithful Service (20 Years) (1980 - 1996).

Impressed SILVER at bottom, Note open bridge between suspender and disc. (in my collection).

Impressed SILVER on suspender. (in my collection).

South African Prisons Service Medal for Faithful Service (10 Years) (1980 - 1996).

Open bridge between suspender and disc. (in my collection).

mint error with closed ribbon gap . (in my collection).

Regards, Marcon1.

Hiya,

A few more. 

South African Prisons Service Medal for Merit (Commissioned Officers)  (1980-1996)

Marked SILVER on suspender.

South African Prisons Service Medal for Merit (Commissioned Officers) (1980-1996)

Note the difference in the "bridge".

Marked SILVER on suspender.

Marcon1.

Archie, I have no doubt that you have/had them seeing what you have in your collection.

I'm mentioning these variations for those collectors out there who do not know what they should be looking for.

Hiya,

Some more variations to look out for.

South African Prisons Service Star for Distinction (SPO) (1980 - 1996)

 Marked 9ct. (gold)

Archie's picture (dull gold surface) - no markings.

Shiny gold surface, no markings.

Note difference to surface.

South African Prisons Service Star for Merit (CPM) (1980-1996)

Note flat email surface and SILVER on suspender.

SILVER impressed.                                               SILVER raised. (see also Archie's picture)

Note difference in how the word SILVER appears on these two versions.

South African Prisons Service Star for Merit (CPM) (1980-1996)

SILVER impressed. (on Archie's picture SILVER is raised).

SILVER on suspender.

Marcon1.

Hi Archie/Megan,

Some additional information concerning:

South African Prisons Service Star for Excellence (SPE) (1980-1996)

 Marked 9ct (gold) + real diamond

South African Prisons Service Cross for Valour (Ruby) (CPF) (1980 -1996) 

 Marked 9ct (gold) + real ruby.

Archie's picture is marked SILVER and the stone used is NOT a ruby.

Regards, Marcon1.

Hi Archie,

I have seen a lot of pictures (mostly Homelands but also some SA medals) that I could use and have added to my information.

The more variations you show the more I can use.

So, thanks and keep them coming.

Regards, Marcon1.

Hi Archie,

How is your knowledge concerning the medals issued by the department of veterans ??

A series of decorations and medals was instituted for military veterans in 2012. To date, they appear to have been awarded only to uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) veterans. How they relate to the decorations for the former liberation armies is unclear.

Any information or pictures regarding the different medals and their ribbons would be much appreciated as my information is really basic (incl. pictures of medals I do not know).

With thanks, Marcon1.

Hiya,

Operational Medal For Southern Africa - Prototype - Solid Brass - only a very few were made.

Part of my collection.

Marcon1.

Thanks Archie, that is one down, two more to go 🙂

Regards, Marcon1.

Hi Archie,

You mentioned 'the medal section' before, what is that ?

A shop were one can buy medals (if so, address please) or part of the SA Military where people can get there medals (replacements).

Regards, Marcon1.

Hi Archie,

Sandile Decoration (SD) (1981-1995/1981-1994)
Awarded to senior officers, for meritorious service which contributed to Ciskeian state security.

Insignia: A circular gold-plated medal depicting a bust of King Sandile (obverse), and the Ciskeian coat of arms (reverse).

 (wrong ribbon)

Yours looks like silver and has a different reverse (Coat of Arms) -Could this be a case where they used the wrong obverse for the Sandile Decoration (military) (SD) as shown below ??

Sandile Decoration (Military) (SD) (1988-1994)

Insignia: A circular silver medal depicting the CDF's eagle emblem in a laurel wreath (obverse) and the Ciskei coat of arms (reverse).

Regards, Marcon1.

What ever is the case, nice medal and I wish I had it in my collection 🙂

3 hours ago, Megan said:

I reached the Military Merit Medal on my site last night. May I ask if there was any change in insignia when the name was changed from the Chief of the SADF Commendation Medal in 1993?

 Hi Megan,

I’ll answer your question.

The only real visible difference is in the link suspension.

The Chief of the South African Defence Force Commendation Medal has a loose ring suspender.

Known variants = Dark finish, without SAM mintmark.

                                Light finish, with SAM mintmark. (see photo).

The Military Merit Medal (MMM) had first also a loose ring suspender but was quickly replaced with a fixed suspender.

Different variants of this medal are known.

Regards, Marcon1.

Hiya,

Here is some additional info/pictures to Archie’s post.

 (MYB:SA-9/MATT: 38)
Honoris Crux Decoration Diamond (HCD) (1975-93)
To be awarded for death-defying heroic deeds of outstanding valour. Never awarded.

Insignia: A green-enamelled gold Maltese cross, with crossed swords and protea flowers between the arms, and displaying an orange/ white/ blue roundel surrounded by eight diamonds (obverse).

Hallmarked 9ct under Coat of Arms, Unlisted by Matthysen. (Personal note: green enamel looks curved)

Hallmarked 9ct under Coat of Arms, Unlisted by Matthysen. (Personal note: green enamel looks flat)

(MYB: SA-9/MATT: 39)
Honoris Crux Decoration Gold (HCG) (1975-93)
Awarded for outstanding bravery in extreme danger. Six awards (5 crosses and one bar) were made, five of them for operational gallantry.

The double recipient - who was the most highly decorated serviceman of the Border War - was helicopter pilot Maj Arthur Walker, who won the HCD (1982) for deliberately drawing enemy fire onto himself during a night operation over Angola, and the bar (1982) for landing in enemy territory to rescue the crew of a downed helicopter.

Insignia: Same design as the HCD, but without the diamonds.

Uniface suspender, diff. suspender than listed in Matthysen (Unlisted), ??? hallmark below Coat of Arms. (Probably SILVER).

 (MYB: SA-15/MATT: 42)
Southern Cross Decoration (SD) (1975-2003)
Awarded to officers - usually of senior rank - for outstanding service and utmost devotion to duty.

Insignia: A gold double Maltese cross, enameled white, displaying the stars of the Southern Cross on a dark blue roundel (obverse).

No markings anywhere ! Not listed by Matthyssen - Strange tail to cross.( fake ??).

^{[1967] [1968]} (MYB: SA-17/MATT: 26)
Pro Merito Medal (PMM) - 1st Type (1967-75)
Awarded annually, to "other ranks", for outstanding devotion to duty.

Insignia: A circular silver medal, displaying a red disa flower inside a wreath of protea flowers (obverse). The original ribbon was replaced by a new design in 1968.

Numbered on rim: 516, SILVER under Coat of Arms, Unlisted by Matthysen.

 (MYB: SA-10/MATT: 55)
Pro Virtute Decoration (PVD) (1987-2003)
Awarded to officers, for distinguished conduct and outstanding combat leadership in the field.

Insignia: A gold 5-armed Maltese cross, enamelled white, displaying the national arms on an orange roundel (obverse).

Silver Gilt, Mathysen Type 2 (SILVER at bottom).

 (MYB: SA-11/MATT: 56)
Pro Virtute Medal (PVM) (1987-2003)
Awarded to "other ranks", for distinguished conduct and outstanding combat leadership in the field. (Note: Matthysen says never awarded).

Insignia: A circular silver medal, displaying a 5-armed Maltese cross (obverse).

 (Silver bar for subsequent award of Pro Virtute Medal)

rejected design.                                                   Accepted design.

The first proof version, which was rejected, demonstrated that a two-dimensional paper drawing does not always translate to a three-dimensional metal object successfully. The second version, which was accepted, had the arms of the cross and the central roundel embowed. - There were only 100 of these medals made. Only Five were ever presented while another nine are either in museums or in archives.

Regards, Marcon1.

Hi Archie,

This is the post I mentioned.

Can anyone tell me which of these 2 medals was issued first and how long they where issued before they were replaced with the second version.

I have 2 types of this medal in my collection. (Both are full size).

This version has English and Afrikaans language on back. (FAITHFUL SERVICE - TROU DIENS)

This version has English and Native language on back. (FAITHFUL SERVICE - TIRELO YA BOIKANYEGO)

Also note the difference on front (use of red).

Here is one I only have a picture of:

Note the difference on front (red).

Regards, Marcon1.

Hi Archie,

This is the post I mentioned.

Regards, Marcon1.

Hi Archie,

A few you missed.

Also exist with hallmark below Coat of Arms.

 (SA MINT ERROR)

Add. info = Full size John Chard Decoration. The decoration was issued in silver, and later in chrome or white metal. This Decoration is done with a Bronze wash finish as would be the case for the John Chard medal. This is probably a rare mistake made by the S.A. Mint during the manufacturing process. The Decoration is numbered on the back with the number 9318 engraved on the back. Mint error. (Personal note: I have one in my own collection numbered: 9334 – from the same batch ??). - After some enquiries from a very well known South African militaria collector Mr. John Goodridge. i found out that a batch of these medal/decorations were wrongly minted and issued to a unit in Kwazulu Natal in the 90'S. These were recalled for destruction.

--------

I've seen several for sale over the years all with a 93.. number on the back.

Regards, Marcon1.

Hi Archie,

I asked about the Bophuthatswana Police Independence Medal because I also have  this picture -

This one is without the BOPH. POL. IND. MED. engraving.

Regards, Marcon1.

Hiya,

Question concerning this medal (Bophuthatswana Police Independence Medal)

BOPH. POL. IND. MED. = privately done or another variation ??

Regards, Marcon1.

Also, 

CP Insignia for Merit (1981-1995)
For (I) particularly meritorious or exemplary service, or (II) 30 years service.

Insignia: A circular silver medal displaying the Ciskeian coat of arms (obverse) and the CP badge (reverse).

According to an official document, there are two variations of this medal. The one as listed, and an alternate variation where the badge is set abaisse and there above a curved inscription 30 YRS.

PICTURE OF ALTERNATE VARIATION WANTED.

Hi Archie,

I have information/pictures suggesting there may be 7 versions to collect.

SAP Cross for Bravery (PCF) - 1st Type (1963-1989)
Awarded for conspicuous and exceptional gallantry in the line of duty, or in protecting or saving life or property. Only 13 decorations were awarded - the first recipient (1964) was Sgt J.R. Nienaber, who drowned while trying to rescue a man from the sea. Superseded by a new decoration of the same name.

Insignia: A gold layered cross, depicting a smaller cross on a gyronny background inside a blue circle inscribed "Vivit Post Funera Virtus" (obverse), and the national coat of arms (reverse). Worn on a neck ribbon.

 9ct gold.

 no marking.

SAP Cross for Bravery: Gold (PCFG) (1989-2004)
Awarded for outstanding bravery in extreme danger. First awarded (1991) to Maj André du Toit, for twice single-handedly disposing of bombs, and for bravery while leading a raid on an armed fugitive's hideout.

Insignia: Same design as the 1963 PCF, but smaller and with a narrower ribbon, and worn on the chest.

 silver marked.

 No marking. Note diff. Coat of Arms.

SAP Cross for Bravery: Silver (PCFS) (1989-2004)
Awarded for exceptional bravery in great danger.

Insignia: Same design as the PCFG, but in silver.

925 hallmark.

 No marking.

SAP Cross for Bravery (PCF) - 2nd Type (1989-2004)
Awarded for bravery while in danger.

Insignia: Same design as the PCFS, but in lower-grade silver.

Regards, Marcon1.

A limited edition of the medal book is now on sale on Ebay for US$560 + Postage.

I bought a paperback version several years ago for about US$120 + postage from a seller in New Zealand.

Hi Archie,

How many links should a GZP Star for Distinguished Leadership  have ??

The one on your picture has 12 but I have a picture where it has 16 links.

As for the GZP Star for Distinguished Service I have seen two different suspenders.

Loose ring. (neck ribbon)

Fixed suspender ring. (breast medal).

Also, what do you make of these two medals ?

Top one with whitish enamel and light bronze color.

Bottom one with yellow enamel and dark bronze color.

Regards, Marcon1.

Hi Archie,

Just found these black and white pictures.

LP Star for Merit or LP Star for Faithful Service  sample ?? - different suspender.- without the word SILVER on back.

Regards, Marcon1.

Hi Archie,

This is the best I could do.

Regards, Marcon1.