Gordon Craig

This was the first, and only time, that I have ordered anything from M&E. The auction was for an assortment of medals. I did what research I could on the medals of interest in the assortment but couldn't find much on line about them. The successful cost was not high. Once I had the medals of interest in hand more research did not reveal any additional information. I went to what I thought was the relevant forum and posted pictures of the medals. The answer was that there were two firms that produced the copies that I had bought and in every instance the ribbons were not correct for the medal. The copies are pretty good but not useful in my collection. It wasn't worth it to return the medals considering postage etc. so I kept the medals and chalked it up to a learning experience. I also gained contact with a knowledgeable collector in the medals in question so that was a plus. The medals were from a small country with little to no information on them in print or on line. As was said above, auction houses can not know everything about the medals they auction off. I do not regret the transaction and haven't bought anything from M&E lately because there was nothing to buy of interest. And there are sooooooooooooooooo many auction houses!!!!! Regards, Gordon

I second Alex K on the deep pockets. While M&E have been around a lot time they are not infallible. I learned that the hard way so remember your due diligence. Often what an auction house does not say is as important, or more so, than what they do say. Regards, Gordon

Nice later issue silver VVO. Regards, Gordon

Thanks for bringing these two gold medals to mind again. Archibald's medal will have disappeared into a private collection not to be seen again for some time. Regards, Gordon

Tony, The many conflicts between the Afghan tribes and Great Britain were fought as more of a guerrilla war than what one could considering war experienced on the European continent. Typically, the Afghani's would stage ambushes while being well protected by the terrain. They would then fade away before the advancing British troops. There was no sustained contact although there was the odd siege by both sides. Hence the low number of fatalities from actual combat. Disease was the most common cause of death among armies world wide at that time. The Brits didn't learn anything from their losses during the Crimean War or the Second Boer war. They didn't seem to understand nutrition or cleanliness as it related to deaths from disease. It wasn't until the 19th century that these things began to be understood and even then losses in the Great War could have been much less with better, and quicker, hospital care. Regards, Gordon

Mike, Great man cave. Nice SAC display. Gives me ideas for another project! Regards, Gordon

There seem to be endless number of these medals of slightly different design. Not just two. I would say manufacturer design differences, Regards, Gordon

Paul, An interesting medal. Do you have any more information on this soldier? Regards, Gordon

Tony, This is an odd lot of badges. Who would box badges that were rejects? As for markings, Firmin used different marks over the years plus I see some JR Gaunt marked badges as well. Perhaps the best way to resolve the mystery would be to ask Firmin? This info I found on line may help you date the badges: Interesting Firmin Tidbits, provided directly from Darren Reynolds of Firmin! Firmin was located at Conduit Street from 1838 to 1879. In 1882 Firmin and Sons opened a factory in St Paul's Square in Birmingham which remained there till 1892. In 1892 the factory moved to Globe Works in Villa Street, Aston, Birmingham. In 1971 the factory moved from Aston to Newtown Row where Firmin continues to manufacture buttons today. In 1981 Firmin became Firmin and Sons, PLC. In 1994 Firmin's London office closed. Firmin from then on based solely at Firmin House in Newtown Row, Birmingham. In 2006 Firmin reverted to Firmin and Sons Ltd. J R Gaunt and Son was bought by Firmin and Sons in 1991 and remains part of Firmin and Sons Ltd today. Regards, Gordon

Tony, Nice additions to your collection. A picture always adds a great deal of interest to the medals. Regards, Gordon

Tony, Interesting caps. Regards, Gordon

Farkas, I recognized the uniform because I lived in Budapest for a few years, studied, and collected Hungarian uniforms, badge, medals etc. during that time Levente items are rare even in Hungary and I have only seen their uniforms in the Military Museum in the castle district. David, Your father looks too young to serve in the military during WWII but he would have probably undergone military service when he was old enough. Good luck in researching your father. Regards, Gordon

The uniform is that of the Hungarian Levente organization (Youth Organization) Here is a picture of an older Levente youth in uniform. Regards, Gordon

The 1957 regulations for WWII badges that could be worn in the Bundeswehr did not include the ant-guerrilla badge nor any of the arm shields. Regards, Gordon

An impossible assembly of medals for many reasons. Regards, Gordon

dond, A medal I would not buy. The suspension is missing. Probably removed when it was glued to the plywood. Here is a link to am authentic Waterloo medal c/w proper suspension. https://www.dixonsmedals.com/product/single-medals/waterloo-medal-1815-with-original-clip-and-ring-suspension-josh-blackley-gunner-royal-horse-artillery-2/ Regaards, Gordon

No one, Interesting thread. This could lead to a whole new collecting interest. Regards, Gordon

Greg, No picture of medals is included in your post. Regards, Gordon

SteveBobby, An excellent explanation of this award. Below is a translation of the Hungarian text above. 76/1951. (III. 17.) MT decree On the foundation of the Public Safety Medal (Administrative registration number: 0.720.) § 1 (1) The Council of Ministers of the Hungarian People's Republic decided to establish a "Public Safety Medal" to recognize merits achieved in the development of public safety. (2) The Public Safety Medal has three grades: gold, silver and bronze. § 2. The Public Security Medal is awarded by the Minister of the Interior. § 3 The basic rules of the Public Safety Medal are approved by the Council of Ministers upon submission by the Minister of the Interior. Section 4 (1) The order of wearing the individual grades of the Public Safety Medal is governed by the provisions established for the Public Safety Service Badge. (2) The provisions of the penal and other legislation regarding the insignia shall also be applied to the Public Safety Medal. Section 5 (1) The provisions regarding the establishment of the "Public Safety Service Mark" shall expire; the rights acquired by donating this badge will cease on the date of entry into force of this regulation. (2) Instead of the "Public Security Service Badge" abolished in the previous paragraph, the appropriate grade of the Public Security Medal established in § 1, paragraph (1) of this decree may be awarded to the former owners until June 30, 1951. （This clause stipulates the replacement relationship between the new medal and the old medal） István Dobi s. k., the president of the council of ministers Regards, Gordon

Brent55, Is this your idea or are you searching on behalf of the family? I notice that you only have a few posts. Are you a collector? Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, Very interesting badge and thread. Thanks for posting it. Regards, Gordon

No one, Very interesting read and great looking badge. Thanks for the posts of these new to me organizations. Regards, Gordon

Owain, Thanks for the pictures of this award. The one of the women didn't really show what it looked like. Regards, Gordon

Carlo, Excellent photos of these hard to find medals. Medals with bars are always very interesting. Good luck in your hunt to complete the set. Regards, Gordon

Greg, Fakes of the Hero of the DDR and the Blucher medal, to name a few, have been in circulation for some years. As Phillip says, if they can be made cheap enough for a profit, they will be reproduced. Copies of DDR daggers have been on the market for some time as well. I'm not sure if medals etc. of other ex Warsaw Pact nations have been copied but I wouldn't be surprised that if they aren't copied now they will be in the future. Wartime Polish medals would be a perfect example. Regards, Gordon