Mark McShane

Obverse close up just to finish off. Regards, Mark

A close up of the medal reverse

Reverse, later home black threaded stitiching evident on the top near the suspension clasp.

Been a while since I posted here, but the medal should make up for that. Its an Irish Merchant Marine Medal with no bars, the ribbon has at some time been restitched at the top with an unsightly black thread. The medal itself although showing years of hand marks all over it still looks very well. Regards, Mark

Chris, Both BH Mayer and Frank & Reif used the same obverse design, at the moment with the unmarked hollow badges it is not really 100% possible to say whether its one or the other of these two makers. Regards, Mark

and the reverse, the inscription reads in english "Golden Jubilee"

Here are the close up pictures of the Golden Jubilee medal. Obverse first

the reverse, the inscription reads in english "Long Service"

A great close up of the Long Service Medal, obverse first

Thanks Guys, These are not mine, so no history to them. Unfortunately the Jubilee medal ribbon was stored for some time resting on the medal, thats whey the stained circle is on it. I was thinking of using vanish or some other stain remover on it, but not sure. Both medals only have a colour over the base metal, so the jubilee has a gold gilt cover and the long service has a silver cover. I'll post some good closeups of each medal later. Regards, Mark

Here is the Golden Jubilee medal together with the miniature.

Gents, As its been quite here in the northern Europe section, I thought I would share with you my medals for the Irish Garda Siochana (Police). The Long Service Medal was introduced in 1972 and was issued to all those members who completed 22 years service with exemplary conduct. It has a silver coloured medal and is issued un-named. The riboon is emerald green with two white stripes in the centre. The Golden Jubilee medal was also instituted in 1972 to commemerate the golden jubilee of the force. All members serving during the golden jubilee year were issued with this medal. The ribbon is three equal stripes of yellow, dark blue and yellow. Mark

I know one of the two Naval Service personnel that got the DSM for the Air India Incident. One is Captain Jim Robinson, presently OCNOC of the Naval Service. Then he was LCDR and Co of the Aisling. The other sailor I forget his name, but I remeber sailing with him on LE Orla. I remember being on parade and him wearing the DSM, everyone else having oly a paltry 10 year service or maybe a Peacekeeping medal. Mark

A closeup of the obverse, 2nd medal. Both medals have solder visible around the suspension ring, the 2nd one having more. On the WAF site when I first posted this medal, someone mentioned that the final finishing of the medals by the manufacturers left a lot ot be desired. Does anyone have more info on this or more info on the different finishes observed on the medals?

My last non-combatant medal, the pictures are from a while back, but they do the job. Another puzzler, the ribbon is on back to front!

Finally a reverse shot showing the stitching holding the suspension ring. Both my non-combatants have different stitching to the reverse.

Obverse closeup

Again a close up of the medal. Same as before I have weights and measurements for all the medals. My weights and measurements are all within a very small tolerance.

Next up is my War Of Independance medal without the Comrac bar, 1st example (2nd one to follow). I have noticeed on both my non-commbatant medals that the ribbon differs from the ccoobatant vesion, in terms of variation in shading and weave. Is this down to the medals being produced at different phases?

The reverse to the medal and bar.

The Comrac bar, quite nice too!!

A close up of the medal with Comrac bar, its in very good condition. I have weights and measurements for all the medals if anybody want comparions. This is probably the best indicator of authenticity.

Gents, Here is my War of Independance medal gathering so far. As these are a hot topic in terms of fakes on the market I thought it would be good to post them now with as much info as possible and hopefully get plenty of feedback from all those following the thread. First up is a service medal with the Comrac bar.

Kevin, Will post pictures of the reverse later, didn't take any this afternoon (was easier just to take the obverse!) Can't tell you if anyone is campaigning for a 21 year bar for the PDF, may become an issue later on though. From what I can remember that my partner was telling me (girlfriend just so there is no confusion there!) so is a sub Lieutenant with the Naval Service the terms of the contracts for officers is changing. You probably know that they could go on a half pension after 12 years or wait for the 20 years. Well apaprently that is changing and now you sign up for the full 20 years! Will get confirmation on this tomorrow, maybe I should start reading An Cosantoir again! Regards, Mark

Guys, Here are my 3 FCA service medals; the 7 year medal, the 12 year with bar for 21 years and the 21 years miniature. really nice looking medals these, the obverse design of the warrior in bronze is very impressive. Regards, Mark