Tim B

Bill, Post some PIC's of your collection, I would love to see them. Here's a link for you: http://www.ww1medals.net/SMU-4.html Tim

Hi Tony, I believe the medal is the WW1 Portuguese War Cross, which had two different styles of ribbon suspension. I started a (short-lived) thread on these if you want to take a look: http://gmic.co.uk/in...showtopic=44434 It appears the man was also cited twice (note the cross on the ribbon). Nice PIC!! The one in the opening post doesn't show (?) though. Nice collection on your site! You have some rather nice examples, congrats! Tim

Thanks again guys and Tony, yes the link worked, many thanks. Tim

Hi Erin, As Kevin has already said, welcome to the forum here. On the PIC's, I may suggest laying them out in a group and taking a group photo of as many as you can fit for starters. We may be able to identify most from that and if any are of particular interest, we can go from there. Tim

Thanks guys! Appreciate the quick answers. I do have another question concerning the research aspects here. I used http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ and found Carrick, both regiments he served in, but not much else. Is there a better, more detailed, place to look online for this type of information? I assume, if I want an actual printout of his Medal Index Card, I have to request it through one of these sites? Mike, the link you included in your post did not work for me? Thanks again guys and now I'll have to take another look into my British VIC's. Regards, Tim

Just exquisite enamel; no damages and the colors are still fresh! Enjoy! Tim

It's been awhile on these so I thought I would add another. I really love the design and old-time craftsmanship on these Leopold's! Another Officer class, this one with the bilingual center and WW1 swords for the veteran. The maker is not known (by me at least) but, the quality on this one is very close to the earlier Wolfer's Leo 1 that I posted earlier. A very noticeable and higher quality example when compared to the Knight's Class example immediately prior to this one. I have also noted other Wolfer's products that did not compare in quality to this one, which makes me believe perhaps all the manufacturers produced products of varying quality and level of detail to cater to different customer's requests and wallets. I like it! Tim

Hi Kevin! Yes, probably the case as we see it in the Belgian area on Leopold II's from time to time as well, plus the French seem to have added other unofficial pins to commemorative medals, CdG, and other items. Just learning here, as I want a couple nice representative pieces for my collection and want them 100%. At least we're talking, showing new stuff and learning! Best, Tim

Here's the engravings. Thanks for any comments/answers. Tim

Hi guys, I just picked up a nice, though fairly common, 3-place bar and wanted to ask a question on the medal engravings. These were awarded to a driver (Tom Carrick) in the Royal Field Artillery; Regiment 1839. I notice that the 1914-15 Star is engraved with R. F. A. however, I see the War & Victory Medals are only marked R. A. Is that normal? Thanks, just learning a new area. Tim

Just bumping with another WW1 bar. Surprised we haven't seen more yet? Tim

Beautiful collection! I really like the look of this medal! So, here we see more examples of the larger silver stars on the suspension ribbon, contrary to the reference that Kevin showed earlier. I take it there were exceptions or variances then? Tim

Thought I would bump this back with another 1918-1919 Volunteer Medal. Really would like to see more of the War Cross and Revolutionary Medals with different attachments if they are out there? Regards, Tim

Hard to say, as I have noticed on more than one occasion, medals being sold with incorrect ribbons there. Sometimes they call them out, sometimes they don't. The coloration looks Bulgarian, but then again, Hungary also used those colors on their awards. Here's a file PIC of a Bulgarian Red Cross Merit Order, 5th Class and you can see it's close. Tim

And, the Greek 1843 Proclamation of Constitution. Again, not the same medal, but showing cutouts here on original items. Tim

Hi, I'm not arguing the point of "who" made the medals (France or Greece), just that the medals with cutouts are, IMO, original and not something a veteran did to alter the original medal. Here's two examples, I know they are not the same as the Medal of Merit, just using them as case-in point-examples on medals with central cutout areas. Tim Greek Prize for the Independence War 1821/9:

Many thanks! They do add to the overall appearance. Tim

I think it's a legit style, as I have seen different Greek medals and orders of similar design from the late 1800's that are cutout like this as well. Tim

Trevor, As far as any premiere makers go, I think several maker's produced a variety of decorations in various levels of quality and ornate details. That way they could market to any level or customer request. Talking 3rd Republic pieces, as thats all I have at this point, you have the plain "Janes" as well as the deluxe or so-called "luxury" models with the berries. If you look at the PIC I showed above, you can see the differences right away. Each has it's own merits IMO. Here's a link to the thread Bison and myself had started on maker's marks and it needs to continue. Not sure if Bison is taking a break or on vacation, but you can see some of the various markings we have shown already, including a variety of Paris Mint (Monnaie de Paris) marks. Please feel free to add to it and I hope others will as well. Here: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=44224 Looking forward to seeing and learning more on the 2nd Empire pieces. Tim

Hi Trevor, Here's a consolidated PIC of my 3rd republic LoH's. Note the "Officer" grade on the top row (rosette on the suspension ribbon) and the pieces are usually gold, gilted silver, or bronze. As Frank stated, the sky is the limit on what the wearer wanted and was willing to spend. The bottom row is the Chevalier or Knights Class and is usually in silver or a cheaper silver colored metal. No rosette on the ribbon. Tim

Hi Frank! Well, I have enough of the common medals already and really wouldn't want to add pieces to the group as I could never claim they were complete to each other as a group, kind of defeats the whole purpose. No big deal as I mostly collect singles anyway. I am interested in finding some "pin & ball" suspension bars though as I have some nice singles that have been sewn at one point to hold them. Any suggestions, please let me know. And of course, I am always on the lookout for another one of these: Tim

Thanks Chris, Yes, I would tend to agree as well. The medal bar would be the only item of possible interest for me, but she doesn't want to split the group. Good for her! Tim

Hi Frank, Yes, I was thinking along the same lines as individual pieces with no provenance. Based on current eBay prices, which can vary a bit, I thought along these lines: Combattant Medal - $20. Commemorative Medal - $20. Croix de Guerre - $35. - $40. because of the silver palm. No idea on the ribbon bar but, I wouldn't personally pay that much for it. So, I personally don't want it, so if anyone is interested, send me a PM and I'll put you in contact with the person. Thanks Frank! Tim

Hi Trevor, Well, the cone of silence has fallen on you I see. As far as I know, I do not believe there were any distingushing differences in the Legion of Honor, whether or not it was awarded for valor or peactime service. The example you show is a rather nice example, condition wise, and IMO would jump on it if the price was good for you. I am sorry I cannot answer more of your questions but, HOPEFULLY someone else more knowledgeable will. I know Bison was helping me out a lot on these 3rd Republic pieces, but I haven't heard from him for sometime now, so he may be out or on holiday(?). Good luck! Tim

I have a friend that is offering me a small French group and I really don't know what kind of price something like this is worth. Any ideas? I understand these bars are seldom seen and it's whats left of an original grouping to one man. There is no known history and I assume, either a lower ranking officer, or nco based on the LoH and CdG silver palm. Only three of the more common medals remain and unfortunately, the Legion of Honor is missing. Does anyone else have any interest in it if I don't take it? Tim