ccj

It's interesting that this type of badge is seen quite often in period photos ( wide pierced crown) .It is clearly not a Pollath/Poellath made piece yet one virtually never encounters this variant in the collecting world ,the good Pollath/Poellath versions (spokes in both wheels) are seen reasonably often and these not yet it would seem that they were the prefered badge to wear, several sanke cards show this type being worn but the more commonly seen Karl/Carl badges are few to spot. Anyone got one of these wider crowned badges to show? Or for me to buy ................! Ferg1.

Well, I think one point that can be made is that there were many officer's of junior rank who sported WW1 decorations. Many collectors think all WW1 veterans would be either field/general grade or administrative types by WW2. Not so, many were company grade officer's who fought. A very nice photo with nice detail.

Opinions greatly appreciated and needed.....

Belt loop on each side.

The back side.

Note the seem in the middle of the waist. From the ones I've seen without a belt or missing a belt there is a strip of cloth covering this section of the waist. Is this tunic ok?

I've learned that WW1 French tunics and overcoat have a large variation from one maker to the next. I'm not sure many adhered to regulations.

While we're at it, let's discuss this 1913 pattern Officer's tunic. Belt missing and looks good but I'm not 100% sure if I should accept it as a WW1 tunic. Most have the belt or if missing the belt will have a strip of cloth covering the seem at the waist on the back of the tunic. I am no expert because you just dont see many of these.

collar

the back

I'd like opinions on this Horizon Blue Overcoat.

I know most officer types were custom made but this one doesn't seem to closely resemble the norm. Is this real or impossible to know?

I'll love to have this group in my British medals group. I've been looking for something similar to this for years. Groups like this seldom come up for sale.

That's a keeper!

Several years ago I had a chance at one on ebay and passed ofer it because I did not

understand what it was

Very nice. I have never seen nor heard of this award before. Does anyone have a portrait of one in wear?

It is a wonderful tunic. I can hardly wait to see the finished product!

Who know where to find bits to complete this tunic? I haven't found him yet...

Here's a nice but well worn infantry officer's tunic. I also have the trousers. This tunic is complete except for the rank lace for the sleeves. I looks like he was either a major or Lt Colonel. I'd love to finally be able to complete this tunic by finding a nice used set of Major, Lt Colonel, or Colonel rank lace on horizon blue.

Loops for 6 medals.

I've had this one for about ten years and I've found no insignia yet. Admittedly, I don't look every day but I look often. :anmatcat:

Very nice photo Bison. I like studying this man's uniform and awards.

I don't know who this Colonel is but he has a large amount of palms on his CdG.

When the pins of the palms broke they could be sewn. Or they might even be sewn simply to make them safely attached to the ribbon. No special orders on that count.

A CdG with that many palms (if it is was really earned by whoever had it prepared) could possibly be a flyboy. Some of the fighter pilots had up to 20 palms + ...

Hundred of thousands of men earned a CdG during the Great war. All kinds of combinations of stard and palms existed. I am afraid the question as to how many generals received one will remain unanswered. Usually an officer received a citation from an authority of higher command. Therefore, it could well be they received Divisionnal or Army Corps or Army citations, with the according ribbon device.

But this is part guesswork on my part. Frankly, I don't think French collectors mind much about that. They would rather be interested in knowing who was the recipient of a given cross, with the attached citations.

Hope this does not sound discourageing. Best regards

Veteran

Rollet appears to be wearing a WW1 Cd with 7 bronze palms and one silver star. Wonder why he chose not to wear a silver. Maybe one or two are silver but they look bronze.

This last picture is the MONOBLOC AUX CANONS type, also known as "Versaillaise" since it was also given to the troups who crushed the "Commune de Paris" battle in May 1871. These were regular army under the orders of the French Government whose seat was in Versailles, a few miles west of Paris.

It usually is rather poor workmanship, and really quite valuable. Possibly the second rarest type after the Presidence type shown by Bison. This third type was in use for a short period after 1870-71, the early years of the IIIrd Republic.

Congratulations, a very nice badge

Veteran

Actually Veteran, it's not my medal because I've been reluctant to buy it because of the high price. I don't know the correct value for this or other double or semi double sided medals.

And, currently residing in the Paris L?gion d'Honneur Museum :

If I recall correctly, it once belonged to a chap called Joffre ... you may have heard the name before

Cheers,

Hendrik

WOW!!! Would Joffre have worn that version on his uniform? I wonder if it's a private purchase by Joffre or given to him by the gov't.

Is this a 4th model?

IIIrd R?publique

3rd Type called "MONOBLOC AUX CANONS" single piece

Head of CERES ? mention "REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE ? 1870"

"VALEUR ET DISCIPLINE"

Trophy of arms, single face

4th Model "MONOBLOC A LA CUIRASSE" single piece

Head of CERES ? mention "REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE ? 1870"

"VALEUR ET DISCIPLINE"

Trophy of arms, double face (breastplate only)

5th model "BIFACE AUX CANONS" two pieces

Head of CERES ? mention"REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE ? 1870"

"VALEUR ET DISCIPLINE"

trophy of arms articulated with a ring, double face (canons only )

6th model "BIFACE A LA CUIRASSE " two pieces

Head of CERES ? mention REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE ? 1870

VALEUR ET DISCIPLINE

trophy of arms articulated with a ring, double face (canons and breastplate)

7th model "MONOFACE A ANNEAU" two pieces

Head of CERES ? mention "REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE ? 1870"

"VALEUR ET DISCIPLINE"

trophy of arms articulated with a ring, single face

8th model "MONOFACE A CHARNIERE"

Head of CERES ? mention "REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE ? 1870"

"VALEUR ET DISCIPLINE"

Trophy of arms articulated with a hinge, single face

IS THERE A BOOK OR REFERENCE THAT SHOWS THESE 6 MODELS OF THE III REPUBLIC?

Would the 7th or 8th model would be WW1?

Can anyone ID this colonel? He has an impressive group of awards and I like the monocle.

Sorry, I have forgotten to mention that this is one type of the 9th model...

Regards

Bison

Great, you only need to show me the first 8 models now.... ;)

Hello ccj. One doubt whit palms:

If five bronze palms are one siver palm, ?Is possible to wear in the ribbon eigth bronze palms?. ?Was it a real habit or is an arbitrary combination?. Anyway a man with a eigth palms in his croix have to be a big heroe... Congratulations for your collection... is a decoration really nice.

Have you ever seen a CdG with the palms sewn on each end like the one I have with 8 palms? What level soldier received army level only awards?

Another question, did many generals receive the CgG and if so were they aways with palm?

******** Can anyone post images of Cdg Medals with multiple palms and stars? ********

Bison, That is a very nice MM and I don't think I've ever seen the reserse of one before. It's most attractive and detailed.

Can you post other variations of the Medaille Militaire?

So, are the double side types private purchase?

I thought maybe the double sided were for generals or maybe the earliest manufacture. Are the double sided much more rare than the rest? I know the standard MM are not expensive at all.