Ed_Haynes

7798 = his regimental number SEP. = Sepoy (same as private in Indian infantry) SURJAN SINGH. = his name (a Sikh) 1-11 SIKH R. = 1st Battalion (King George's Own) (Ferozepore Sikhs), 11th Sikh Regiment (until 1922 the 14th King George's Own Ferozepore Sikhs) Any other questions?

Some medal dealers in South Asia clean their medals in battery acid. Others are more gentle,

Of course, an item awarded only 136 (both types) times 194 years ago can be expected to show up on e$cam or at gun shows or at car boot sales all the time. Of course.

Two very different suspensions, to be sure. Someone must know. Andreas???

Think you have it right, 'Veteran'. Admittedly, attribuition would be difficult/impossible, but . . .

Actually, pairs like these aren't that uncommon on the market. The trio with whichever German medal is more uncommon, but scarcely unknown. The KGL medals are usually sold at lower prices that a corresponding British regimental pair. Go figure.

I can't imagine that a real specimen of this gem would show up on e$cam.

At first glance, this seems to be the sort of thing being made up for sale to current occupation forces.

I have never been able to gain access to the Calcutta Mint records (they are quite uncooperative, but they are a working office and not an archive), but I do know that the full range of WWII stars and medals were struck at the mint. As late as the 1980s, they were still stocked in the medal office in New Delhi. The easiest way to tell them from British (or, for that matter, Pakistani) awards is that most of the medals to Indians were named. I have never been one for microscopic issues of numismatic detail. Some Western collectors, however, have noted design differences in these Calcutta-made medals (though they seem blissfully unaware of the naming) and some have dismissed them as fakes (as they have with the 1914 and 1914-15 Stars made and named in Calcutta). For those of us who avidly collect them, this is fine, as it keeps prices down (though some dealers have taken up the "duty" of destroying these "fakes" = historical homicide). Some Indian "fake" stars have been noted, but they are more in the way of tailor's copies, intended for wearing by veterans who mislaid their originally issued pieces, rather than to delude collectors. Given the fact that until very recently authentic medals have been common and low in price, there hasn't been much call for fakes. This may be changing.

Sushil is absolutely right. As these are available almost literally by the kilo (mostly officially named in India, never officially named in Pakistan), there is hardly any reason to fake them. Back in the days when there was a need for them, some copies were produced (tailor's copies) for those who had lost or misplaced their medals. The quality is so much lower I doubt they'd confuse anyone, but they are MUCH rarer than the authentic medals.

Quite.

I know. That is where the previous response went "off".

Those (few) Nazi-sympathizing Brits who heart and soul were with their friend Adolf. So far as I know, none were veterans of the Great War. They knew better, perhaps? There are threads here celebrating them. Some have a positive view of them. But this is far FAR from your question.

Please let us know, Nick. No desire to get GMIC into trouble, but much desire to help and answer queries. The complex legal issues of real and asserted international copyright in an internet age just haven't matured. But as you (and the board) are in the UK . . . ???

Most Who???

Looks like it, yes. And indeed.

Fascinating picture! And I agree with Dan about those late-Soviet, early-neo-Rusian "Viagra Hats". The bigger the hat, the smaller the ____? But don't let them distract you from the Central Attraction, Comrade German (and what an unfortunate name)!

Since none of the medals are named or numbered, I guess you could imagine what you wish? The documents, however, . . . .

To a novice, this (like your other star) seems to be a VERY interesting transitional piece. A chunk of history?

Nice. And, yes, that ribbon and that of the Africa Star were worn before the end of the war.

Very interesting. English was probably the only language that was, to any degree, held in common. Was it intended for wearing, or for mounting, maybe on a plaque?

Extraordinary information! Marhaba, shukran Mark.

It seems to have been created sometime prior to 17 March 2003, when it appears in the official order of wearing in the London Gazette. Sadly, this official publication still includes idiotic things that never existed (such as the bronze 1903 Durbar Medal), so perhaps we cannot trust it? http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ViewPDF.a...t=&similar=

Nice. Clearly, not something out of unissued stocks!

Nice.