JBFloyd

The Show of Shows is 1700 tables of militaria -- everything from mess tins to grand crosses. And every area and country is covered. Nearly every major militaria dealer in the US will be there, plus many collectors who only go to one show a year. It's well worth attending.

A reasonable assumption would be that both received knight's badges.

What happened to British Indian Army officers in 1947? Were they offered commissions/contracts to stay on? Were they offered the opportunity to join the British Army? Were they given the boot? This question arises from a miniature group (MBE, IGS '36, 39-45 Star, Burma Star, War Medal, Indian Service Medal, Pakistan Independence Medal) attributed to a Lt A.W. Bean, Indian Army. Any insight would be appreciated.

These are genuine. I've dealt with the seller and have bought a number of medals from him. Just be aware that shipping from Peru is slooooooow. It usually takes about 30 days for a package to get from Lima to Washington, DC, but they've all come through. Also be aware that these are not of Tiffany/Godet/Keibel-quality. They are somewhat crude, but that's what Peru can/will pay for. And, you can't beat the price.

Here's an article on the subject from Melbourne Argus, 27 September 1913: http://newspapers.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/7281568

Medal of Liberty, second class, and Liberation War Commemorative Medal, 1918-1921.

A similar group to a Lt Austin, 30th REgiment, sold at DNW in September for 1300 pounds, so there is value there.

One Crimea is the British issue; the other is the Turkish issue. The center piece is the Turkish Order of the Medjidie. The clasp "Sebastopol" should be on the British issue. Lt Col John Edward Sharp died in 1897, having entered the Army in 1832. The Medjidie should have been in the London Gazette of the period, although the Army Lists of the period verify these awards.

Thanks, Paul. Every bit of info helps.

Can anyone identify this one? It's a white metal and enamel badge (51mm) on a bow-mount. The reverse has three characters.

It's far beyond my meager sources to identify the original owner. It's coming out of an estate, so any earlier research is lost.

Certainly unusual to see a pair of documents like this. Tamburino = drummer

The piece at the end of the chain is the Venezuelan Order of the Liberator (or Bust of Bolivar).

From another helpful collector, it seems that what I have is the star of the first class (Type 1, in use 1940-1942). A photo is attached. Thanks for the info on the modern Pribina order.

And the reverse.

Larger photos.

And the other side.

Just a beautiful miniature chain for your viewing pleasure.

Can anyone tell me the difference, if any, between the breast stars of the "special class" and "grand cross" of the Slovakian Order of Prince Pribina. None of my sources distinguish between the two.

"met de swaarden".

With swords.

While I understand Demir's comments about the red ribbon Turkish UN Korea Medals, I have owned 6-8 of them (all purchased at military shows in Germany in 1982-1985). None were marketed as anything other than scarce medals (in fact, most cost little more than US$50 because the German dealers had no interest in them at all). Of those pieces, only 2 had the original UN ribbon. All the others had worn red ribbons with buttonholes for wear, and all showed honest use and wear. There may have been no policy for the wear of red ribbons, but the medals in the market certainly have appeared that way.

I've owned 2 Italian-issue UN Korea Medals - one in the small blue issue box with an "I" on the end; one witho no box. Both sold very quickly. The estimate is that about 135 pieces were issued. There is an association of Italian Korea veterans that is very active, so the medals don't show up in the market often.

I bought every one I saw and sold them here in the US. Other than this piece from our auction, I haven't seen one on the red ribbon in several years.

And the reverse.