Gldank

Thanks for that info! Beautiful Order... Nicer than other Belgian Orders IMHO.

OK, I'll bite. Why on Earth is there a second palm on a tiny piece of ribbon hanging from the suspension loop?

Thank you for the comments. The Belgian Order of the African Star is another beautiful order of the Congo era that is no longer issued. The hanging ribbon you see is a lapel pin ribbon of the order which would normally be worn on the veteran’s jacket lapel. I just hang them from the medal/order suspension loop to keep it with the order.

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 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). The medals of the order were awarded to Non Commissioned Officers (NCO)s and other ranks, to "lower" rank public servants, etc. This order is no longer issued by Belgium. Here is a sample of one from my collection.

Hallo,

Badge frome Queen Mary's Needlework Guild to a Belgian Madame Verstrepen.

How many Belgian ladies have got these badge?

Peter.

Very Rare is my guess!

Very nice group!!

Wow! I found the answer myself. The medal is the FEDERATION DES ANCIENS COMBATTANTS (FAC) MEDAILLE DE LA RECONNAISSANCE PREMIÈRE CLASSE or FEDERATION OF WAR VETERANS (FAC) MEDAL OF THE RECOGNITION FIRST CLASS.

Hello,

I have this Crown Medal in my collection. I am pretty sure it is Belgian but I am trying to identify it. Is it for Belgian Congo Service? Thank you.

Hello,

I have a nice medal in my collection but am trying to find out more about it. First, is it Belgian? With an anchor and a red cross in the center, I think it may be a Life Saving Medal of some kind, Does anyone know more? Thank you.

I have a nice cross here but not sure what it is for. It hangs from a older Belgian Red Cross type ribbon but I am not sure if it is Red Cross. It may be a Belgian Firemans medal for 25 years of service. Does anyone have an idea or more information? Thank you.

Here is a great link to the ROYALE UNION NATIONALE DES ANCIENS DES ARMEES D'OCCUPATION, DES FORCES BELGES EN ALLEMAGNE ET HORS FRONTIERES

http://runaofba.site.voila.fr/

QUOTE (Garth Thompson @ Apr 8 2009, 17:01 ) Can anyone tell the official name/title of this medal and does it have any collector value/

Thanks in advance,

Garth

Yes, collector value! Here are some from my collection.

Thank you. I thought it rather strange myself when I received it years ago but just left it alone. At least the sword device is not attached to the ribbon so easy to remove.

Thanks!

2 QUESTIONS:

1- Is the bar actually worn at such an angle?

2- where on Earth can I find a full size one?

No, my sample just happens to be pinned at an angle. Should be horizontal accross the ribbon. I do not think I have any extra bars. I do not really add ribbon attachments to medals unless they fall off and I know what was originally there in the firstplace. Belgian eBay or maybe a Belgian on this forum may be able to help you out. I would not change it myself as it is as it is meant to be. Maybe look for a more correct example to aquire for your collection...

Thanks!

2 QUESTIONS:

1- Is the bar actually worn at such an angle?

2- where on Earth can I find a full size one?

No, my sample just happens to be pinned at an angle. Should be horizontal accross the ribbon. I do not think I have any extra bars. I do not really add ribbon attachments to medals unless they fall off and I know what was originally there in the firstplace. Belgian ebay of maybe a Belgian on this forum may be able to help you out.

So, as veteran NCOs of Leopold II, this would approximately date it between 1865 and say, 1920ish?

Yes, give or take a few years...

I have just noticed (after seeing other such medals) that the bar on the one in my collection is a tad... "Small"...

Is this acceptable or did the previous owner simply slap a bar for a mini on it?

Veterans do many strange things for different reasons sometimes. Availability of the correct attachment at the time of veteran ownership may have been the deciding factor on your sample. A miniature medal attachment on a full size medal was used. Although not the official way, the end justifies the means. Here is a more correct sample:

Hi, I've looked and looked, can't find anything on this one.

English translation: "Royal Federation Society of Noncommissioned Officers of Belgium" This is a veteran's recognition medal of the Federation(Veterans of King Leopold II). Many styles, manufacture variations and ribbon styles. Yours is the standard medal and ribbon style. That said, more information becomes sketchy...

Here is a French one.

Glad to help where I can. I have been collecting Belgian for 10 years and am still learning.

Ooooooooooooooooh!

The bar (ribbon device) denotes a promotion within the Order from the ribbon mounted palms (below the medal in the Order's hierarchy).

But the Palm "ribbon device" on the ribbon is for acts in war time.

OK... I was confused also. Same word, different meanings.

Thank you very much! I appreciate this. I am new to Belgian awards, I have about 2 dozen I picked up over the years here and there without really knowing what they were.

I guess I am going to have to review the palms again. I thought the palms on orders were for recognition (mentions in dispatches) during wartime? Or is that only for the Croix de Guerre?

I ask as I am getting ready to replace a palm on my Order of Leopold (Officer) and have got a gilt Albert palm on hold for me.

Tim

No, I misunderstood you. I was talking about the candy striped palm bars. You remain correct on the long palm leaf!! Now, it is my turn to

Here's a example of the enamel differences; the one on top is mine (pictured above) and the bottom is another medal that I see being offered. Note the background pattern.

Tim

Different manufactures...

Well, as long as I have you on line.

What about those "candy striped" bars on crosses 2 and 3?

Agin, an upgrade from the palm to a higher order...

So a Palm on this Order (and on the Order of Leopold) basically means a promotion within the Order, right?

Yes

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:

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