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.

Hi Archie,

Again great stuff with many thanks.

Have the following 3 medals in my collection.

 Silver-Gilt.

 Silver (?)

 Bronze

All 3 with different suspender, any idea - first strikes, prototypes, fakes ?? (All with wrong ribbon).

Marcon1.

Hi Archie,

Concerning the Bophuthatswana State President's Medal for Shooting.

I would guess that the second picture with the  is the one chosen.

The other 3 have those rings that look like the ones used by the German Car manufacturer Audi.

I don't think they could have gotten away with that 😁

Regards, Marcon1.

Hi Archie,

I've this info = 

^{[As authorised] [As issued] [3rd. type]}
Faithful Service Medal (1987-94)  
For 10 years devoted service.

Other versions

While only one medal is officially documented as an award for ten years service in the Transkei Defence Force, two versions are known to exist, the one in silver, as presented to recipients of the medal, and also another in bronze.

It is possible that the bronze versions are proof specimens which were never officially accepted or presented, but it is equally possible that an as yet undiscovered third silver-gilt medal also exists. The same official documentation lists long service medals for the Transkei Police and Transkei Prisons for 10, 18, 20, 30 (two versions each) and 35 years service. Since no warrants have yet been traced for several decorations and medals which are known to have been instituted and likely also awarded in Transkei, and since it is unlikely that only the one long service award exists for the Transkei Defence Force while so many exist for the Transkei Police and Transkei Prisons, it can be surmised that, of the two known existing versions of this medal, the bronze was actually intended to recognise ten years faithful service and the silver, twenty years.

++++++++++++++++++

Full Size Transkei Faithful Service ( Stamped Silver ) - note small square with the word silver above where the two sides of the wreath join.

This one is different (lettering size) than your silver one.

Regards,

Marcon1.

Hi Archie,

As requested.

Kind regards, Marcon1.

If you need sharper pictures than I will have to polish it - something I'm not keen on doing.

Hi Archie and Megan,

Megan, you are free to use any of my pictures.

Many years ago I send you a lot of pictures of GB and you have my name in the acknowledgement list there (2nd. name).

Archie, the pictures you have of the Transkei Prisons Service Medal for Faithful Service (20 years) - Silver is of the medal I have now in my collection. 

I bought it from BidorBuy (BoBshop) for R 1130 (includes postage).

Regards, Marcon1.

TPS Medal for Faithful Service: Bronze (1982-87) (c1982-1987)
For 18 years service.

See also Transkei police for some pictures.

Regards, Marcon1.

Hi Archie,

Are these of any use ?

TP Faithful Service Medal (30 years)

Regards, Marcon1.

TP Medal for Faithful Service: Bronze (1976-85) (1975-1986)
For 18 years service.

Hi Archie,

Interesting to see that the one with the green enamel has a different year - 1987 instead of 1986.

Mistake by the manufacturer or issued to commemorate 1 year of establishment or perhaps a second minting of the medal ??

As to the rules of GMIC, you are doing fine mate.

Your 10, 20 and 30 year medals are different than the ones I have pictures of.

 note the different front and back (reversed on yours).

Silver version (20 years) different suspenders.

Also note the different front and back (reversed on yours and bronze).

Bronze version (10 years) - note the different front and back (reversed on yours and silver).

I will add your picture to my picture file, again with thanks.

Marcon1.