paul wood

I suspect two of the letters mean de Infantrie. Very nice. Paul Or infantrie de ligne

Could it be a Chilean citizen who saw service in belgium during ww1 maybe in the intelligence sector. Paul

A large number turned up at DNW about 10-15 years ago. Luckily they were spotted and withdrawn prior to the auction. If it's worth faking someone will fake it. Paul

Beware there have been quite a lot of fake Chinese Labour Corps bronze BWMs on the market. From the image it is impossible to be sure. Paul

Very nice never seen one before Paul

Gavin is correct about the enamelled centre. I have never encountered a marked Rothe specimen. They are nice for those who can never afford the real thing. Paul

Uncle Ernst certainly manufactured a few with the aid of his skilled South Asian workforce. Around 25 years ago Spinj sold the Alexander Patterson collection of German orders. All of which, barring a couple of pieces were the handiwork of Ernst Blass. I spent two whole days viewing it. If only Spink had done detailed photos of the collection. I for one would have paid a princely sum for such a publication. Ifit was worth faking then Blass would make it. 99.99% of all German orders with Garter surround were of his handiwork. He started his artistic works in the 70s and succeeded in infiltrating many dealers, auction houses, some with connivance others through ignorance and into a large number of collections to the point where it almost destroyed the German market. If someone could produce a catalogue raisonee of his handiwork it would be worth its weight in gold. Paul

Modern crap of this sort started in the mid 60s Churchill snd JFK commemoratives were amongst the earliest Nowadays ths Royal Mint is one of the worst offenders. I see moden commemorative gold or silver sets, appearing in auction. Thd buyer removes all the packaging and throws in the bin and then departs for the melting house. Paul

Does any one know of any sites which list the fake Polish badges, preferably comparing them with the originals. Doesn't matter if the site"s in Polish. Paul

Minis are very nice, providing the price is not ludicrous the group should soon be mopped up. Paul

Nice Claudio. Both St Mo and Laz and the crown are beautifully made and for the quality surprisingly inexpensive. Paul

Nice with case, don't know if there is a maker's name inside the case, however given the name on the photos I would be certain one could purchase similar for considerably less elsewhere. Paul

I believed these were officially marked for display purposes as the CCCP were quite heavy on unentitled wearing of Patriotic War medals. Paul

Spot on, a nice long service group to a man who had a full and interesting war. Hope Santa puts some medallic goodies in your stocking. Paul

,both very nice pre-war examples, these orders were of good quality well into the last century. Paul

Thanks Nick what was the "Chi's status following its abolition, was it still permissible to wear. Paul

Who manufactured the award? The quality is excellent Paul

Naval Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct so your man was a jolly Jack tar, enlisted man Paul

pardon my ignorance 1812 what was the status of the "Golden Chi" post 1945. Was it permissible to be worn, if so what was it's level of precedence. Paul

Dom, Some MBEs, can be exceptionally interesting especially WWI. Often the senior figure in a bombing rescue would receive the MBE while the others received George Medals or BEMs as the MBE was considered the superior award but commercially it is the least valued. I personally I like Merchant Navy BEMs for rescuing crews from U boat sinkings. Paul Sorry I meant WW2 MBEs

I am a brain damaged wombat, SG is for Garrards. The MBE is silver while the OBE is silver-gilt. The hallmark should tell which it is as sometimes the gilt on the OBE wears away. All the best Paul

I have found a x 10 copes with most circumstances. Small French marks are the exception they often challenge a microscope. SG=silver-gilt Paul

Most interesting thanks for that. So it is technically possible for an individual to hold both the Royal and Orthodox Orders of St. Sava. Paul

Was the 1882 founded St Sava awarded during the Kingdom in exile? If so presumedly up to the latter part of the last century. Why I wonder was the Order not revived by the present Serb government as a national order? Paul

The article does not appear to give any categorical raison d' etre. I suspect there may be some religious element in the award. Paul