paul wood

Gavin, I take your point about miniatures, however when you get a miniature chain of several orders which have provenance for example to a diplomat then the likelyhood is that he wore the miniatures on a regular basis while the full-sized were stuck away in drawer somewhere only for use on high-days and holidays. While I do not collect miniatures (I have three in my collection of over 400 medals) I can understand why some people do. By the by on Evil Bay there are sometimes modern faked miniatures (If its worth something our friends in the Far East will fake it). Paul

if you are buying orders and medals from overseas ask them not to put a description on the declaration but 9705000 which is the harmonised customs code for numismatic items (Orders and Medal fall under that category). Should get through without problem. Paul

Looks masonic to me, very similar in style to the Swedish Order of Carl XIII. Paul

Looks too sharp to me and I don't like the colour of the silver. Paul

This is the Soldier's Cross of the Virtuti Militari 1831 or 5th class, instituted 31 December 1831, between 1831-35 approximately 100,000 were issued. I assume that the mark on the reverse is an unsightly test mark rather than a die flaw. Not common but not paticularly rare. Paul

Interestingly there was a womans Showa Enthronement in the Ivor Bush collection amongst the little Japanese lot of miniatures. Paul

Nice, never seen one before. Paul

I would say very likely realting to the Fram, the star above representing the Pole star. I believe, if my memory serves me well that there is a polar museum in Oslo, they may be able to give more precise information. Very nice item. Paul

I can't see aproblem if the ISM was awarded about the same time rings true, my father received QJM on retirement from the civil service after 48 years. Paul

On British awarded Great War Medals Williamsom is pretty well spot on, on Indian issues like virtually other so called bibles he leaves a lot to be desired. Thanks to errors in British Battles and Medals I have made many a killing, long may it continue. The one area where Williamson is to be congratulated is his list of rank abbreviations for India, while far from complete (I have 40-50 ranks not listed by him) it is a good start. On another tack has any one seen a bronze BWM to an Indian with either for example a bronze IGS NWF 1908 or a later IGS such as Afghanistan NWF 1919, I have only seen them as singles. Paul

Royal Mint bronze official Diamond Jubilee 1897, nice with case, shame it has been polished to death, should be a nice chocolatey colour. P

Might have received it if previously employed with Indian Police (I very much doubt a PC in uniform would wear masonic isnsignia). Paul

Looks like a Bikaner Public Service type 1 possibly Paul

Megan, That makes some sense, the front looks quite plausible not a typical German schmuckhaus production. Paul

The back does not look nice there was clearly something attached to it, difficult to work out what its status is, alas not a real order of the White falcon Paul

Any one have an illustration of the two types for comparison. Paul

Looks nice, picture of the reverse side would be helpful. Paul

Greg If you know the name of the recipient I can check him out. Paul

Looks like and unofficial badge of the Spanish Order of Military Medal. Paul

South Vietnam, National Order of Vietnam, 5th Class breast badge. It was a bit of a catch all award and was modelled on the French Legion d'Honneur. I believe Ed Emering has published something oon the web relating to South Vietnamese Orders. Hope this is of help. Paul

Thanks for that That's one of the photos we have in the pub. Nice to know that she is still remembered in Serbia, after her husband died she I believe she returned to England and settled in Surrey. If she saw Thornton Heath now she'd take the first plane back to Serbia.

Second attempt at posting. Thank you Nick, So far one has not crossed the threshold of my humble originisation. However considering many of our vendors are quite happy to slip in the odd fake badge with some genuine ones (and I doubt unwittingly). I anticipate at some time that one of these beauties will rear its ugly head. Paul

An attarctive and rare medal, especially cased. Any figures as to how many were struck/issued. Paul

I have no idea on question 1, David Fay is the encylopedia on Thai matters and is a member of this forum, hopefully he will have an answer to that question. Paul

Commemorative medal for the Longest reign Celebration (well he has been there for 66 years). Paul