Gldank

2 Gold stripes for exceptional services in war. 1 Gold stripe for special services during war. The two crosses on the far left are dark blue (navy blue) not quite black. Awarded to Belgians as well as foreigners who distinguished themselves for artistic, literary or scientific service in the commercial or industrial field or for long service to Belgium or Africa. The same ribbon emblems or ribbon variations as used with the Leopold I Order have been instituted for this Order as well. "Lower" ranks (military, public servants or civilians) are awarded Palms. The gilded palm bar on the ribbon shows that a lower award (palm) was recalled for the awarding of the higher cross order. My personal favorate:

More

I do not have a lot of info on manufactures but here are some samples of hinged areas.

The Order of the Lion was created by King Leopold II, as king of the Independent State of Congo, in 9 April 1891. Awarded in five class and three medals: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight, Gold Medal, Silver Medal, and Bronze Medal. Presented for meritorious service to the Belgian colony or its sovereign. The Order's badge has 2 intertwined letters "C" (Congo) between the cross arms and the reverse medallion bears l intertwined letters "L" (Leopold) over the letter "S" (Sovereign). The Order's motto, "TRAVAIL ET PROGRES" (Labor and progress) surrounds the obverse central medallion (a gilt lion on blue enamel). Medals were awarded to NCOs and other ranks, to "lower" rank public servants, etc. This order and medal is no longer issued because the Belgian Congo gained independence from Belgium on June 30, 1960. The order and medal became defunct shortly after even though several were reportly awarded after that date. If you would like to see a picture of the more senior order to this medal discribed above, let me know and I will post one.

They both look fine and I would attribute the differences to seperate manufactures as there were many throughout the turn of the century up to now. Do not open the seam to turn it around as these orders are casted and you could run the risk of breaking or cracking it. As it looks now, so it should stay. Well, my opinion anyway.

I will have to go back and do some Belgian Leo I specific research. The fourrag?re of the French Army is awarded to all members of military units which have been awarded a mention in dispatches. It should not be confused with unit awards of particular decorations, where the medal itself is hung on the flag of the unit. For example, there are many units wearing the fourrag?re of the m?daille militaire, whereas only six units wore the medal on their flags. During the First World War, the French Ministry of War first awarded the fourrag?re to units which had been recorded as distinguishing themselves more than once in the Orders of the Army. There were then six fourrag?res, depending on the numbers of Mentions in Dispatches awarded to the unit. The fourrag?re is normally worn by members of a unit awarded the decoration. When they leave the unit, they have to relinquish the fourrag?re. However members who took part personally in the actions leading to the award of the fourrag?re can continue to wear the fourrag?re, even after leaving the unit. They can only wear a fourrag?re corresponding to the number of actions they actually took part in. Thus, if a member of a 5-mentions regiment leaves but took part in only two mentioned actions, he can only wear the croix de guerre fourrag?re and not the m?daille militaire fourrag?re. So that is the French, I will have to see if this all truley applied to the Belgians too. Or, was it an entitlement to a personal award? The research goes on. I have several great books on Belgian awards so I will check or let you know. Any Belgians out there want to chime in??

Very Nice! The more I see the more I believe all is well. Widow bar and all! :jumping:

Tim, I really think it is ok. I would even be interested in purchasing it. You have my blessing. If you get it and don't like it, let me know and I will take it off your hands. Now that should really help you to make that decesion! :beer:

I have pictures if you need to see them...

Here is what I have regarding this decoration. The web site stated above is the best place to learn more: The Military Decoration and The Military Decoration (Article 4) were awarded to Belgium armed force noncoms and other ranks for either long service, acts of bravery or distinguished service. This military decoration was instituted on 22 December 1873. Early in the 20th century; it was divided into two classes. The 2nd Class decoration was awarded after 10 years of service, a further 5 years entitled the recipient to wear a gilt chevron on the ribbon, indicating a 1st Class award. If awarded for bravery or distinguished service (Article 4 of the decoration's statutes), the long service ribbon is changed to a red one bordered by the national Belgian colors. In case of an award for wartime related acts, a silver palm with the royal monogram is affixed on the ribbon.

I fully agree with Vatjan. Nice medals. :D

I think the war was over and the troops were only used in the post-war occupation of Germany.

I think the war was over and the troops were only used in the post-war occupation of Germany.

Small bronze table medal to Belgian service in Ireland.

Close-up.

I do not have a picture of the ribbon attachment but I do have a picture of the Ireland Service Cross to Belgians of WWII and document from my collection. Also visit this web page for more great info. http://www.be4046.eu/Steenstraete.htm

Outstanding! Thank you for your research! :jumping:

Thank you. I have been collecting Belgian medals and orders for years and am still amazed by the different variations I find. :banger:

OK thank you Bemed. How about this one without gold stripe(s)?

Hello All, Does anyone know why there would be three large silver stars on this Leopold II medal? Congo award or something else?

Sewn on is ok Tim but your sample my not have ever had a tip. It just looks like a real simple cone tip which is possible. Hmmmmmm

I have only seen one-piece construction in either spun lathe bronze or wrapped crimped thin bronze sheet metal like the picture here on my Croix and the French sample. A jeweler could probably make one for you. I see the mini fourrag?res for sale on Belgian or French eBay from time to time. Maybe Hendrik on this forum may know where to get one in Belgium for you. Mine are all attached to medals or medal groups.

Looking at the below PIC (don't beat me) I see different style tips (ball) and wondered if they were due to different manufacture or designated different grades (I/E: Officer vs Enlisted)? Are there more styles?? Tim

I am not sure if this is the best place to put this info but I wanted to pass it along. Here is a pretty good article written by an eBayer regarding fake MOHs and other medals posted on the web in Europe. May have to cut and paste the link below into your browser. http://reviews.ebay.com.au/FAKE-COPIES-OF-THE-US-MEDAL-OF-HONOR-SOLD-ON-EBAY_W0QQugidZ10000000010642993

And I just owe you...