Brian Wolfe

Hello Everyone, This trio started out just about as wrong as it could have been. Thanks to fellow member,Heiko, I was able to remove the "offending" medals and ribbon devices and end up with what I think is a nice little group. I won't go into a lot of detail about the way this group looked but if you are interested here is the link. http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=44369 I actually like it better now and I ended up with a Silesian Eagle 2nd Class (presently awaiting the proper ribbon to arrive) and a Legion of Merit medal, neither of which I had in the collection before. The only draw back was that I was required by the collector's code to add a Silesian Eagle 1st Class to the collection as well. It's not that I wanted to add a 1st Class, but the code is the code. In case you don't bother to read the other post, I used nylon thread to attach the proper medals. In that way future collectors SHOULD figure out that the medals were added long after the original group was awarded. Regards Brian

Hello Dan, I have been in contact with Rick but I'm not at liberty to discuss the siuation. Having said that, I do hope he will be able to return in time, the sooner the better. As to the forum having become boring of late, I am fairly new to the GMIC compaired with many, however, I would respectfully suggest that the members all research and post as much as they are able in order to liven things up. The forum, any forum for that matter, relies on the membership to keep things interesting. So, I'll throw down the gauntlet and challenge the members who have been quiet to post some well-researched and perhaps unusual items from your collections. Alea iacta est! Regards Brian

Welcome to the GMIC Len, An impressive start to your miniature collection. I really like your South African collection, on your other post, as well. Regards Brian

Waht a great addition to your collection, I have yet to even see one offered for sale, although I am quite new to collecting Japanese material. Very nice indeed. Regards Brian

The last photo shows the unglazed bottom. The grenade was also glazed on the inside but showing that in a photograph is beyond the capabilities of my camera. Apparently there was nothing placed inside to act as projectiles, rather the thick ceramic shell provided the shrapnel; that and the usual concussion were intended to cause the injuries and or death of the enemy. Thanks for taking a look at one of the newer additions to my collection. Regards Brian

This is a view of the top. You can see how the rubber cap would have been secured easily. I have read that a throwing cord would have been secured to this top section as well to increase the distance of the thrown grenade.

Hello Everyone, Here is what I think is an interesting type of ordnance; the Japanese Type 4 Grenade, which is made of ceramic. It measures about 77mm in diameter. In mid to late 1944 Japan was running short of vital war materials and with the American Military machine on the horizon, as it were, the Japanese were faced with the prospect of an allied invasion of the home islands. With iron in short supply the ceramics industry was pressed into service to make these grenades. I've read that these were supplied to the Japanese forces defending Iwo Jima and Okniawa, however, I do not know that they were ever used in any quality, if at all. The hollow ball was filled with explosives and a blasting cap inserted into the top. This had a fuse with an abrasive striker ignition system. This in turn was covered with a rubber cap to keep the ignition system and explosives dry. It is rare to find these with the rubber piece intact or even pertially in place. The Type 4 was made in great qualities and the style and colour varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. A simple device and if used in qualitiy would have caused many casualties,had the allies invaded the mainland islands of Japan. I have read that these are being produced in Mexico for the tourist trade. I'm more than a little sceptical regarding this as I can't imagine many tourists going to Mexico and purchasing a Japanese grenade. It could be true, I don't really know, anything can happen. Another factor, in my mind, against the Mexican story is that these are not all that expensive to begin with; so why copy them? This one is from a dealer in Japan and I am confident that it is authentic. Regards Brian

Here is a view of the reverse of the medals and the bar. I think you can clearly see the nylon thread, though it is sold as "invisible thread". Regards Brian

Hello Everyone, Thanks to the help and guidance of the members I have now corrected this medal bar. I've removed the ribbon divices and replaced the Legion of Honour with the correct medal for the ribbon being the Kyffhauserbund Medal and the Silesian Eagle has been replaced by the Baden, Karl Friedrich Merit medal. I guess this is now in the wrong section as it would be an Imperial bar considering the Baden Merit Medal. I don't usually like to create groups of medals but in this case I think it is warranted. I used nylon thread rather than the black cotton thread that was previously employed as I wanted to "advertise" that there has been alterations to the group. The funny thing about the group, the way it was, is that all of the sewing was done with exactly the same thread. Black cotton with a double twist, I checked it out under high magnification. The ribbons seem slightly soiled and yet when I removed the two ribbon devices they left no visible "clean spot" revealing their former location. Whatever the story behind the group it has now been corrected and future potential purchasers should pick up on the "modern" thread that has been used on two of the three medals. Thanks again for all of the help your given to me. I hope you approve of the corrected group. Regards Brian

Hi Michael, So, could you hear my sister-in-law laughing and saying, "I told you so!" all the way to your place? Regards Brian

I can recommend the book, having recently finished reading it. Regards Brian

Hello Larry, Yes it does help, thank you very much. Here's the rub. My sister-in-law who was an air force brat said that FS was Flight Sergeant but didn't know what the H would stand for. I showed her the group while in Perth and we both misread the lettering. Darn! Now I'll have to tell her she was on the right track. Thanks again. Regards Brian

Hello John, Welcome to the forum. I can't say much regarding the cross but I have purchased from this dealer for quite some time and have had nothing but good transactions. They stand behind their material. Regards Brian

That's interesting Laurence, so much for my information from a serving "source". The letters "FS" are on one facet and the "H" on the same facet as (H)".A.BURT" and the rest of the name "ON" on the next facet. Therefore the lettering could very well be FS H.A.BURTON. So is FS a short form for Flight Sergeant? That's assuming that the "H" is indeed an "H" and part of the name. What are your thoughts? Regards Brian

Many , many thanks Heiko. Regards Brian

Very nice flag Mike and the first of its kind that I've seen. Thanks for posting it. I know Mervyn will like this one too as deep down he knows Colonials rule! Regards Brian

Hi Michael, That's true, I forgot about the Western Provinces. My apologies to our members out West. Regards Brian

Here is a view of the naming. All of the CDs I have seen always have such nice sharp impressions, which I really like. Thanks for taking a look. Regards Brian

Here is the reverse of the mount. I didn't mention that the CD case came with the group but I guess you assumed that by the photo. Brian

Hello Everyone, While on a short stay in Perth Ontario we managed to find a couple of nice items. One was the WWI Canadian Flag posted earlier and this group of three named to FSH A. Burton. The FSH stands for Forward Surgical Hospital. Providing my source is correct ( and I did verify it through the internet as well) this group would not be all that common, proving that there are still finds hidden in display cases in small antiques shops all over Ontario, if you are willing to hunt for them. My wife actually spied this, she has always had a good eye for quality. That goes without saying ,of course, after all she married me. Comments that all that welcomed, thank you. The group is swing mounted and looks to have been a homemade effort. The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal was put up with the reverse showing and the mount in general is not what you would expect to find on parade. I would therefore assume that it was mounted up after the recipient's time in service, with a ribbon bar worn on the uniform during the time of service rather than the mounted medals. Also I don't believe the CVSM being mounted up wrong way around would have been well received by the RSM. Opinions from anyone who is serving or has served during the post war period is welcomed and appreciated. The absence of the clasp on the CVSM, provided it was not simply lost, would indicate service in Canada during the war. The Canadian Forces Decoration is for 12 years service with the clasp awarded for an additional 10 years service. We know that the recipient served for at least 22 years. With service in the Forward Surgical Hospital this could have been awarded to a female. I hope that is not sounding sexist as it could also very well have been awarded to a male. I just think the odds of A. Burton being a female is higher with this unit, considering service during the war years, than in other units of the time. I hope you like my wife's addition to the collection. Regards Brian

Thank you so much for your help and I look forward to any further infomation you can impart to me. That is the problem with the internet...too many self-appointed experts. I had read that the device presently above the Legion of Honour was actually for the Kyffhauserbund. After I read this I started to look for examples to support what the "expert" was saying and fond no proof. I did find an example of the Legion of Honour with the wreath and swords. I would like to hear what you think about the possibility of the Karl Friedrich Medal of Merit belonging with the Marinekorps Flandern Cross and therefore on this bar. The dealer has offered to take the bar back or give me a Karl Friedrich Medal of Merit, if it belongs on the bar. I am happy to hear that the cross is for the Marinekorps Flandern as I have medals to the WWI British Marines and this fits in my collection even better. Regards and thanks again for all of your help. Brian

Hi Mervyn, Now I would have thought that a Vexiologist was one whose purpose in life was to "vex" others. You may have found two new catagories in which I fit. Regards Brian

Hi Mike, Repeat after me...We are normal...We are normal. I've heard it put as: One is a curiosity, Two is a pair, Three a collection, Four is an obsession. Either version translates as...We are normal...We are normal (normally obsessed that is). Regards Brian

Hello HeikoGrusdat, Thank you for you assistance. I have been doing some research on the internet, so it may not be really good information, but what I have found out is the the device on the Kyffhauserbund ribbon would be correct for the Kyffhauserbund and was usually purchased privately by the veteran. The infomation I found also said that the device when used as it is on this bar usually indicated a member of the Navy. It would make sense that the device for the Kyffhauserbund is for Navy personnel considering the presence of the Navy Honour Cross. The bar is indeed a homemade bar. I am thinking that I may change the two wrong medals for the correct ones. One last question. Would the Carl Friedrich Order be correct with the other two medals (if I switched the Legion of Honour to a Kyffhauserbund)? Thnaks agian for all of your help. Regards Brian

Hi Mike, You are, of course, correct. I don't collect flags but you know how it goes, first thing you know you've gotten yourself a small collection. I don't have the 1957 version though I do have the current flag. I should look around for the 1957/65 variation and call it a collection. It should not be all that hard to find. Regards and thanks for adding this information. Regards Brian