Ulsterman

some others:blank reverse-loose star at top in 1970s/early 80s box:painted rays:

Well, this is a way to start a monday off-here's one from you last year a type 1.3 i believe. I will try to add one or two a day as time permits.

wow!!! 56! Excellent!

Interesting... what's the weight of the medal (EK2)? Someone took a LOT of time to make that little bar-well, they took more care than usual for certain: stitching, backing....

Ah-Ha!!! Look at that back-look at that ribbon pin! Exactly like Derg era medals. I smell a DDR manufacturer here......

-also "666" and "999" and sometimes the ring has been replaced. Apparently made in the UK-3 piece and in the packets there were probably @ 2,000 of these things made with bags. They were sold to European dealers in larger numbers starting in the early 1990s and by 1995 were in the USA at gunfairs. Many were sold in lots of 100 from a well known Spanish dealer who KNEW they were fake before he passed them on the American dealers (inc. the Ruptured Duck). These newer "spanish" crosses are a tad-but noticeably- lighter than many originals. The frame is Light and bright but after 15 years the patina is coming on and the frosting is coming off. Gordon Williamsons' book is the first thing you should buy. It will save you hundreds of $$$. Always assume the thing is a fake and work backwards. Make it or the seller prove beyond a reasonable doubt (to you) that it is original. Things to look for (none are proof positive but put it all together): 1. Is it 3 piece construction? (Does it rattle within the fram if you shake it) 2. Is the core magnetic? 3. Is it the right size/weight? 4. Does it smell older? 5. Does the ribbon glow under blacklight (does the medal itself glow?): This latter one is not a big thing as many have replaced ribbons nowadays. 6. is there a return policy? If so-how long/good? 7. Is there patina/rust that makes sense on the piece? Buy NOTHING from Poland or Russia!!

I am too given her stature in Who Who. perhaps she got one and had this bar made @ pre 1977?

Sure-the scans are quite detailed. Although perhaps November is out. I note a che Order just sold in the USA on eBay!

Ah-ha!! That explains it! Are those jounior firemans' badges there on the right hand side?

very nice. I am still a bit confused about the volunteer/professional fire department stuff though.

Yup-but note the ribbon seems different.

Here's my little one:

I heard that Shelby Stanton (dirtbag) has a PAVN order of battle that he has not yet returned to the archives. Yu might try him.

only one battle bar?? hmmmm? One big wound? He should be easy(ier) to find.

wow!

Interesting-I haven't seen any Red Cross medals like the above on ribbons (I note several on eBay like mine though) but if they are out there, perhaps they are a "transition" stage (1960s?) where earlier made enameled pieces were married to ribbons. If only the Hungarian Red Cross would respond to my questions. still, there MUST and are people alive today who can answer these questions as it is all within living memory. Did the Hungarian red cross have a magazine?

Hmmmm...perhaps one our German members.....

We can narrow down the search a bit by seeing what type of Order of St. John it is. Are the animals flush with the cross?

Amazing stuff rick! I tip my hat to you. Is the illegability of the rolls due to the actual page or merely a poor copy? If the latter,perhaps a newer copy might make things more legible?

heres' a VERY small part of the medals pages. they have awards listed in the book as well.

Yeah-hold on it's big, but on ebay these days (The Ghana Army). Lots of UN OAS service. Great medals- UK inspired.

I actually spoke to a member of my local MP company who was sporting his CAB yesterday. He got his for repeated exposure to mortar attacks (@ 20 rounds total) over a one day (!) period in 2004. That was his total exposure to combat in his year's tour in Iraq.

It seems to be the standard award for being in any kind of sustained combat that results in casualties in Iraq. Read Colby Buzzells' hilarious account of his ARCOM award ("But Sergeant, it says that I served without hesitation or complaint...."), (Sergeant: "Shut up Buzzel and take the damn medal".)

Isn't the Hof Handbuch on-line now? I think DD posted a link somewhere.

Yup-do a quick search-there's a thread on these. I think RR posted an award to a hotel keeper. Purportedly they were often given as "shooting club awards", especially to members of the Prinz Alfons Shooting Club, which I think is still in existence today. Often also given to Bavarian vets with monarchist political convictions.