Gldank

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

Can anybody tell me more about the Order of the Lion?

All I could find was that is used to be an Order from the Belgian Congo but it also said it was adopted as a Belgian Order in 1910. What happened to it?

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.

Hi Francois,

I had asked that very question in the other "Question on Leopold" thread. I have noticed others for sale that were like that as well, so I don't know the answer. I agree, it would seem obvious to place the seam towards the reverse. Unfortuantely, the only way I could "correct" it would be to open the seam a bit and switch the actual medal around, then rotate the ribbon. Seems thick enough that I probably wouldn't break it; hopefully. I was kind of waiting to hear something first as if this was normal (happens), then I would leave it alone.

Tim

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.

Back to the Fourragere; I had asked earlier if all of these were of the colors of the Leopold I; so does this fourragere indicate that this soldier would have been entitled to the Leopold I award?

Tim

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??

I see I will probably have to change the ribbon around (front to back), but it also has the black enamel bar!

Tim

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

Well James,

Nothing more heard on the tip types, but I am going to take a chance and get this one as I just don't see these anywhere.

Thanks for your thoughts and opinions on this!!

Tim

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:

That really clears it up.

Thank you!

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

Merci!

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.

Thank you Gentlemen. I appreciate your help. I posted another medal in the France thread that should have been here. I shall post the scan below. Opinions on this one would be greatly appreciated too.

regards

Thomas

I fully agree with Vatjan. Nice medals. :D

Hallo James,

many thanks for the link, as I suspected they served in Northern Ireland (U.K)

Interesting information though, did they manage to see any combat duty or was the war over before they had a chance to deploy?

Kevin in Deva.

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

Hallo James,

many thanks for the link, as I suspected they served in Northern Ireland (U.K)

Interesting information though, did they manage to see any combat duty or was the war over before they had a chance to deploy?

Kevin in Deva.

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

Confirmed: one silver five pointed star or a golden five pointed star only comes on a ribbon with a golden stripe.

on an official medal there are no stars on a normal ribbon.

Veteran societies should imply with the normal official guide lines, but

somtimes the veteran's council is not fully aware of the official guide lines.

Outstanding! Thank you for your research! :jumping:

Same here:

nice medal; but not original, due to the star.

kind regards

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

Hi Gldank,

I've been following the Belgian medals for some years, and, even after having done some research, I did NOT find any attributions of that kind. Only stars in combination with gold stripe(s) have been attributed.

I will continue looking around, but if you as me, this is a combination, made to make the medal go higher value.

kind regards

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?

Hi James,

No, thanks anyway. I really don't want to just "make" one up. I have a chance to get one, but the tip must be broken off and I was curious if they were repairable or not worth the time. I'll wait for a better one!!

I do see some modern ones on US ebay as well, but not really into "that". I did miss out on a couple nice French CdG with original ones though.

Tim

You can see this one is missing the ball but appears to have been sewn on the cord.

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

Thank you James!

I have an "opportunity" but the end attachment appears to have lost the finial or ball at the very tip. Not sure if ones were made that way or if in fact the ball is gone?

If gone, were these one-piece construction or assembled and what is the chance to replace it?

Tim

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

... in which case I would be happy to show you around in the Ypres area if so desired.

Cheers,

Hendrik

And I just owe you...

Same here and no, I agree that it would not have been a nice place to be at back then. One day I hope to visit the area and be able to actually see the lands so many died for.

Tim

I wish to do the same someday. Will see you there.

Looks nice James...Ah, I certainly hope it's not your grave marker!?

Tim

No Tim, I had the honor of serving my country's military but thank God, not on the Westeren Front during WWI. For those who served, it sure must have been hell on earth. This is part of the reason I collect Belgian militaria. :blush: