Tim B

Yes, a nice example and at a very good price! To add to the success, you actually picked one with a maker's mark on the lower reverse, which are less commonly seen compare to those unmarked! Congrats! As Paul already stated, be careful as it's a slippery slope. On the medal die differences between Meiji, Showa and in some cases, Tashio era awards, it gets more difficult to tell and I wish there were more definitive answers out there to help distingush these features as many Japanese ODM's for sale are often "put-togethers" in order to sell as a set. Very nice start! Tim

Hi, It could be attributed to a few different units, depending on when the member actually came in, and if he was wounded or killed prior to the Meuse-Argonne offensive. My first guess would be the US 4th Div and the guy was not in the fighting at Meuse-Argonne. Hard to say 100% without more information. Tim

Hi, I might recommend the following link: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=17245 Tim :cheers:

Hi farmer, Yes, I had started a separate thread in this section sometime back, as there appears to be several variety of palms out there. Tim

Thanks Richard! Well, it would have been interesting to see the piece in hand but, trying to look on the positive side of things, at least I don't have to return it if the piece had turned out to be bad and then out additional postage (registered). I can only imagine the hassles with this guy at this point. So, it worked out and I can always find another (better?) piece anyway. No worries! Tim

On a somewhat surprised and happier note, eBay already refunded my money in full this weekend. I didn't even have to escalate this into a Paypal claim as the seller escalated the dispute and wanted eBay to make a decision (in his favor). However, when eBay seen the status of the registration number on the package, they immediately sided on my side! Seller is of course, not happy, and denies that he never sent the package. Of course, now the threats of "I'm going to do this or that". I reminded him that the package was registered and never signed for, so the issue is either with him or his post office. Something is screwy with this guy, as the package status changed a couple of times; from the registration number "not being recognized" by either the Austrian Post or USPS for 30 days, then on the 6th of January to being just entering the system, and today...the number is not recognized in either postal system again. I'll give it a couple more days to see if anything does show up and record the actual shipping date but, at this point, don't really believe anything is in the mail. Already informed him that I would not be accepting the package at this point and it would automatically return to him. Glad I "lost" this one after all! Seller's name is Mike Berger. Another one of these seller's that makes his listings "private". Should have trusted my gut from the beginning. Austria seems to have problems with guys of this name (banking community). Tim

Hi Rob, Thanks for that clarification. So, if I understand correctly then, Huguenin Frères produced this version (the one I showed above) and the version with the unslashed "7" in 1917? Tim

Another one; appears to be of the same French manufacture as the one Rob posted earlier in post #23. Tim

Well, I would say to everyone not to hold their breath waiting on the PIC's for this one. Appears the seller either never sent the item or, just now put a package in the mail to cover his butt 30 days after payment was made. Was supposedly sent 12/13/10 and until now, nothing. I told him that I would be opening a dispute on the 7th and the evening of the 6th, the postal status changed. From 12/13 to 01/06, both the Austrian Post and USPS both showed no record of the registration number. When I checked the status on the night of the 6th, it now shows the number being recognized in the Austrian Post and USPS now says, "Origin Post is Preparing Shipment. We have received notice that the originating post is preparing to dispatch this mail piece." I know it's not an issue with the postal systems, as I just received another registered package from Austria 12 mles away from this guy and that one was mailed on 12/29! Filed a dispute and told eBay I wanted a refund and will not accept the package at this point. Oh well, maybe it's for the better. Life moves on! Tim

Hi farmer, No enigma here for us, always nice to see others in the discussion. Yes, trying to decipher these tiny marks and getting good photograhs are a bit of a challenge but just another part of collecting. Actually, I am trying to get more information out there on these maker's marks and have started a thread sometime back in the French section: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=44224 Please feel free to contribute as much as you can. Tim

Hi Rob, Many thanks for replying and I did see some the die differences you called out, just wanted to confirm in case there were even more manufacturers. I see a lot of the Swiss made pieces for sale but seldom do I see any of the French produced ones being offered anywhere. I'll need to look for one with the trifold ribbon. Thanks again! Tim

I have seen one example that had a narrow ring/eye type connection for the suspension ring. Most however, appear to be this blockier post on the top cross arm. Could this be an indication of the maker's differences? Thanks! Tim

Just recently added one of these to my collection and had to ask a couple of questions here. I undestand this cross was made by both Arthus Bertrand of Paris and Huguenin Frères of Le Locle, Switzerland. So, how do you tell the difference between the manufactures? I don't see any marks anywhere. This example shows the narrower straight ribbon that I see most commonly in mounted groups. I am still confused on the differences between ribbon styles and see these with the tri-fold ribbon as well. ?? Tim

Here's a quick comparison of the two. If you look closely, it almost appears like the designer's initials were removed. These marks are slightly out of alignment from each other and I have noted others have the same "erased looking" mark, so they are different. Also note some small detail differences in other areas. Tim

And another Revolutionary Cross. Thought I would add an example with bars for the Czech Legions that served in Russia/Ukraine. Really nice and is of the variety without the designer's initials. Tim

Another War Cross; my last one I think. Tim

Hi farmer, Here's that cased (Fisch) Leopold II that I showed in the other thread. The crown and suspension ring are really quite thin compared to others I have. The lion has really nice detail but the black enamel is not quite as smooth as most. I'm guessing by the construction, this one must be earlier manufactured. The Albert palm is also very thin and detailed. Tim

Thought I would bump the thread up. The palm is really thin and delicate compared to the other examples I posted earlier. Any more examples out there? Tim :cheers:

Hi Rob, Thanks for that offer, certainly no hurry. I wouldn't spend a lot of effort on it as I just think I am seeing more tricks of the eye and lighting here, but who knows? The outline shape might hold more curiosity for me but then again, it might be just a diamond shape that developed that left tail to it when stamped. Always appreciated my friend! Tim

Hi farmer, Yes, I need to sit down and take some better PIC's of this one as it's a bit different from my other Leopold II's. The palm is quite nice and lighter in construction than others I have. Tim

I used to study American medals more when I was a kid and enjoyed not only the history behind the awards but, also the design and thought that went into the medal and ribbon colors. The two medals I posted above (well, 1 1/2 actually) were good examples to use. The center and right reverses were simple designs and each carried over to several different medals. The designs were basic for the appropriate service, well executed in strike, and when viewed in hand, conveyed a sense of worth. Obviously, they were popular and go to show that you don't have to reinvent the wheel each time a new medal comes out. The reverse (left) was originally designed by the firm of Bailey, Banks, & Biddle for the Navy & Marine Corps version of the Civil War Medal. An eagle in the center, wings spread, and resting on an anchor with a draped chain; a classic symbol of both services. Below, the simple inscription "For Service". Below that are a branch of oak on the left (symbolizing strength and lifesaving) and branch of laurel on the right (symbolizing achievement, honor, and victory), joined by a knot. In the top arc, the description reads the branch of service, in this case "United States Navy", (alternatively "United States Marine Corps"). The half blue/half gray ribbon, obvious. This reverse design remained in effect up through 1916 and had only a few exceptions (Dewey & Sampson medals mostly). The reverse design was eventually changed (right) for the 1916 Dominican Campaign Medal. This new design, by A.A. Weinman, shows an eagle perched on an anchor, over sprigs of laurel leaves between the words "For Service". Inscribed in the top semicircle, United States Navy (or United States Marine Corps). The ribbon is scarlet with two center blue stripes (colors were a reverse of the earlier Haitian Campaign Medal (navy blue with two red scarlet stripes in the center, which symbolized the colors of Haiti). This second reverse design remained common for Navy and Marine Corps medals up to circa 1941, and included both versions of the Expeditionary Medals. The reverse changed again during WWII but, this second reverse design was used once more on the post-WWII Navy/Marine Corps Occupation Medals. Anyway, sometimes a simple, but classic design is the easiest to convey the message. Like Chris, I always took pride in uniform and appreciated the more classic designs in our military symbols. I was proud of the medals I earned but, often wondered why more effort wasn't put into many modern designs and knew I wasn't the only one that often felt cheapened by the poor, toy-quality, items actually being passed out. Not to worry though, we did the same thing to most of our coinage as well. Enjoy! Almost makes me want to get back into US awards! Tim

Best I Can do until the PIC breaks down. Tim

A little closer view of the stamp. The center has a high point, but I can't tell if it's part of a mark or just a remnant of the bead in the stipling. I give up for now, my eye's are crosseyed and I think I see an elephant with the trunk to the left! Tim

It has a funny shape to the diamond and maybe someone can identify it from that. Then again, could be just a mistamped diamond. :speechless:

I tried rotating the mark around to see if I could make something out by changing the orientation. Thought I got lucky when I thought I could make out a small letter "M" (right) and what might have been a "L" or "I" (left). The more I looked at it, the more I figured the light was playing with my eyes. :banger: