Tim B

Really nice details to it. I have noticed some other members have previously posted a couple "like-examples" and I also noted another one currently for sale that has a more ornate suspension hub. Not sure if they would all be attributed to the same maker? Tim

Well, I couldn't find my old posts that show my previous Knight's Class LoH, so I'll just start a new thread. Here's my latest beauty. It's a luxury or deluxe version with the berries. Quite nice and as noted before, the berries really make the overall appearance "pop" compared to the normal versions. Enjoy! Tim

A little closer Tim

The diamond mark appears to have the letter "L" and ?; a bag a money or a vase?; and what appears to be the letters "I N S". Another one I have no clue on, and can't find any reference showing something similar. Tim

Hello Bison, No problem, always happy to add anything I can to the collecting community and it will be a nice change to show small details without worrying that the fakers are watching and learning like in the German areas. Just received a very nice luxury Knights Class LoH but, won't take this thread off track further here. I would like to add some more close-ups of the maker's marks on the Officer LoH I had previously posted on page 1 (posts 8-11). Now that I am a little better at looking for them and photographing them; still need to learn who is who though. So...here's the marks on that Officer LoH. First up, another boar and makes sense as even the center does not retain the gold color. Tim

:P Ahh, I see the French are trying to have their way with me here! Perhaps tomorrow I will try to start a thread on maker's marks then. We can add to it as time goes on and perhaps more will add their pieces as well. Hopefully some level of database can be made. Many thanks again my friend! Tim

Bison, Thank you again! I have learned so much information in just the last couple of posts! I wonder if it might be worthwhile to start a "pinned" thread just on maker's marks so everyone could share their items and perhaps learn more on these markings as well? Best, Tim

Looking at the PIC I posted in post # 34; I would never have guessed it was a walking Wolf. I could see a walking turkey or chicken, but then in the next photos, thought it looked more like an "O" and possible "A" divided by ?? Glad I kept my mouth shut and ideas to myself! By chance, do you have any PIC's of this "walking wolf" to compare or use as a future guide? On the reverse combination boar/eagle head mark; I assume this is what I am looking at (below)? I could see traits of both and was unaware this combination mark even existed, that's why I went for the hare or (actually thought it might be a rabid goat)!! Thanks again my friend! Tim

Many thanks Bison!! It's collectors like you and Hendrik that have the knowledge and take the time out of your day to help answer these type questions and make the hobby that much more enjoyable for guys like me. Okay, I never considered turning the medal on it's side and thinking about the Monnaise de Paris Cornucopia mark but, I can see it now. Never expected it I guess, not sure why not, as I have the stamp on several of my other lessor French medals. Thank you! Tim

Almost looks like a bird head of some sort, doesn't it?

Here's the reverse mark. I thought it might have been a different version of the boar, then the hare, then... Tim

Same mark; different angle and lighting.

The second one is a little trickier, if I can be bold and say that! This one has the typical placement of the diamond with maker's mark on the top left front suspension and a mark of something (silver content?) on the reverse bottom. I am not sure what I am looking at here in the diamond. Depending on the light angles, it can play on the eyes and I will just keep quiet for now. Any help? Tim

Another shot with slightly different light angles.

Not to go too far off the Officer's version here; My curiosity got the best of me tonight and I had to revist my other LoH awards. After looping two Knights Class, I thought I would take another shot and see if I might get some information on the marks here. First one carries no marks where I normally would expect to see them. The area under the star where the oak and laurel leaves meet shows no marks but, on the reverse, the top arm suspension has two similar hallmarks on each side. If seahorse's weren't on gold items, I would have ventured a guess that is what they looked like. Any thoughts what they may be and any clue on possible maker here? Tim

Hi Bison, Is there a master list of the makers that did produce the Legion of Honor, as well as other ODM's, so I may eliminate these other makers from my future searches? Also, is there a complete list or reference that shows these marks anywhere? I have other LoH pieces and cannot figure the marks on them either. So tiny and often incompletely stamped; so frustrating. Thanks again, Tim

Hi Bison! Yes, I could see where it might be close to the 2nd example you posted above. One thing that holds me back though, is the "X" (crossed billard cues) dip below the bottom of the letter "A" on your examples--correctly for Chobillon marks. On my piece, this "X" does not appear to dip below the "A". So, is it an incomplete mark or something different? Or, were there Chobillon marks that did not have this "X" dip below the "A"'s? I know it's not the mark for André Aucoc with the rooster and double-A mark as shown below. However, could it be the later mark for "Aucoc (& Cie)" that utilized a double-A with lance if I remember correctly? I don't really know what that mark looks like to compare here, so would like to positively eliminate that possibilty first before concluding it's Chobillon. Learning more as usual, and very happy for the opinions and assistance here! Many thanks again! Tim

Yes, the availability of period original items are decreasing and the market prices are only going to go up with more demand. It's not like they're making any more (original items at least). Still, you can find them once in awhile and hopefully with not too much competition. Hard to compete with those with deep pockets and the urge to get everything. Oh well. Tim

Bison, You could be correct here. Do you have any shots of this mark on any actual ODM? Thanks! Tim

With a flash...I could see where the "X" might be the second letter considering the diamond is not fully stamped and the letter could extend into the "unknown" here. That might explain the ' or lower half "C" that is also not fully stamped. It is not identical to the stamp in the photo for AXC shown earlier, but they may have different stamps as well. Anybody have a close-up of an actual stamp by these for comparison? Tim

Hello again, I don't know for sure. Looks like an AA' to me under the loop and again in this photo: Tim

:lol: Hi Jan, Why did I know that would probably be the answer!! Had to be some though! Tim

Hi Bison, I'll have to loop it again, but the marks are so tiny and often not impressed the best it's sometimes hard to tell. If you turn it slightly one way or the other, it tends to look more like an AR' or maybe AA' but, I'll have another look. Thanks for the comments! Tim

Anyway...back on topic. This brings up the point: Why is it, that we do not see a lot of Belgian Croix de Guerre with multiple devices like the one shown above by Herman? Tim

Yes, understand it's French TOE. Interesting that the bars are on the wrong ribbon. I had asked about this one sometime back but no comments, maybe now we know why. ;)