IrishGunner

Oh, now you've done it. The Hindenburg maker marks have tempted me in the past.

1915 meeting of German contingent of GMIC

Martin, I don't mean my comments in any pejorative or negative manner. I am very impressed with the depth and breadth of variety in a single medal that many collectors consider common. And obtaining a single example of each Vic is challenge enough for me. For me it may just be as much economic driven as anything else; my main collecting focus is indeed pedantic in other areas and most of my collecting budget goes in that direction! For example, my obsession with German Imperial artillery regiments! My wife is amazed at how much I spend - money and time - pouring over postcards looking for a particular (or unusual) artillery feldpost stempel! Doesn't leave much for other things.

Pierre, allow me to extend an official Bienvenue!

I agree. I think Bosnians during the Austro-Hungarian Empire period - probably pre-WWI. The fez-shaped hat was very common for men of the time; in fact, it was the shape of the uniform cap for Bosnian soldiers in the KuK Army. Women also covered their heads in this manner. The tri-fold ribbons are, of course, typical of Austro-Hungarian decorations. An old KuK warrior all dressed up with his family for a celebration is my guess.

Patrick, this is based upon my rudimentary (perhaps incomplete) personal observation of Royal Artillery cap badges. I did not intend to imply my impression applies universally to all KC cap badges. I also have not seen it written - even regarding RA badges. I looked in my very basic Wilkinson-Latham reference and did a quick Google search; most references mention simply the scroll varities and the option of spinning or fixed wheel on the gun. Of course, both GV and GVI KC are the "Tudor" crown and differences very well could just be manufacturer dye variations, but my impression is that WWI vintage RA badges have open arcs, while the closed arcs are of later manufacture. I've posted the question on The British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum to see how the experts respond. Rick

Actually, I can say that I'm immune to that disease. I have absolutely no desire to collect "types" in that regard. In most cases, I'm satisfied with one representative example. British medals are the exception, but in that case my desire is on particular units and/or Royal Artillery ranks. Type 1 versus Type 2 etc of any particular country - not my cup of tea. That said, I'll be curious to determine which particular type I've acquired - but I can honestly say, there will be no search for the other types.

Steve, you've been holding out on us! Lots of great photos of the UK Peace Celebration medals in your gallery. http://gmic.co.uk/in...h-peace-medals/

Chris, you should definately post a photo... Also, I suggest you post the photo in our Victory Medals of the Great War forum. http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/49865-other-victory-medals-related-items/ Lot's experts there that can add additional info.

It certainly will make it easier when I finally get around to posting and identifying the types of my own Vics.

Is this a copy?

Or you can just send me the cash.

If those paratroopers are true to form... They already have hooked up their static lines.

What is this "sleep" you speak of?

Gentlemen, the moving of specific posts to their respective country threads from the locked General Discussion thread is now complete. If you do the math, I've moved 30+ pages of info and it's possible I've made some errors in placement. Again, as you look through the country threads, please keep an eye for continuity of information and any misplaced posts (e.g. Italian in the American thread - I've fixed this example I think). Either post a message here in the Forum Recommendations thread or send me a PM with anything you notice. Next, I'll be going through the country-specific threads to do some light housekeeping on the moved posts and otherwise make the forum more readable. I've also re-named and unlocked the General Discussion thread for use - well - for General Discussion related to overall topics related Victory Medals themselves.

This thread has been renamed "General Discussion" and I've left posts that cover multiple countries and/or relate to the founding of the WWI Victory Medals forum itself. It's now only 5 pages! I'm going to unlock the thread and we can now use this for discussion on general themes or issues that cut across multiple countries. I suspect this will remain a low-count thread simply because the trend seems to specialize on country-specific information.

JM, It just so happens, I can answer about the insignia next to the crossed cannons on his collar. It's the Regimental Insignia for the 6th Field Artillery! Which just happens to be my regiment - and thus my avatar! Rob's answer about the Mexican Service Medal might be incorrect though. I think it's the Mexican Border Service Medal - which the 6th Field Artillery definately performed around 1916 from El Paso. As for the eagle on his chest - no idea. Maybe a local medal of some sort for veterans. This is a great photo (I added it to this post since it didn't come forward in your quote very weel)! I envy you as I collect anything I can get my hands on to the 6th Field Artillery. If you ever decide to part with it...let me know. I presume his 5-bar Victory is the standard for the 1st Infantry Division; probably difficult to read the actual bars in the photo though.

Welcome again, Claudio! And I'll echo the idea that posting these medals from this period is fantastic! A very interesting history and I'm sure many are unaware of the medals.

Claudio, welcome! Great first post from Italy! You've answered a question that I've been curious about for awhile.

Nice bonus.

Over 10 pages of info (posts) already moved from the locked general discussion thread to the country specific threads! If any of the regulars would like to take a look at the visual continuity of the country threads and see if it makes sense (or if I misplaced a post in the wrong country), that little assist would be appreciated.

See above. I'm ammending my answer. The bar is as fake as is your offer to contact Ms. Fox. Reading this again...the BAR IS FAKE! The Longevity Ribbon wasn't insituted until 1957. Which means, he would have to have a 1953 NDSM! It's missing. So, either someone made a mistake in precedence or it's fake. But then again, what do I know.

But given the double knots I assumed the bar denotes 9 years GC plus 4 years USAF service I was only an officer, so my memory and knowledge of the GCM may be fuzzy, but the Army's Institute of Heraldry states however; "The second award of the Army Good Conduct Medal, for example, would display a bronze clasp with two knots" Thus, 6 years not the 9 years you state. http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Awards/good_conduct.aspx What makes you think it PLUS 4 years USAF service for the Longevity ribbon? As I said, the Longevity ribbon was insituted 1957, but retroactive to 1947. The GCM covers "good conduct;" the Air Force didn't insitute it's own until 1963, with award of the Army medal until then - as I state above. "Longevity" is not a good conduct award. Nothing in the regs states a Longevity reg is given in lieu of a GCM; therefore, this ribbon was awarded in ADDITION to and for the SAME time as the GCM. Oak leaf clusters are awarded for subsequent awards of the Longevity (in 4 year chunks) - he has none; therefore at best we've got a guy with 7 years service (and confirms the 6 year GCM vice a "9 year" as you assumed). The MISSING National Defense Medal is one key: created in 1953 and ranking in precedence just AFTER the Army Occupation Medal - and ranking well before the Air Force Longevity Ribbon. There is nothing between the AOM and Longevity Ribbon; therefore, either it's missing for some reason (because it's a fake bar) or he served BEFORE 1953. If he served after 22 April 1953, the NDSM would be there because that's when the NDSM was instituted. He served before April 1953. The MISSING WWII awards is the second key: As I said, no WWII awards in the correct precedence between GCM and AOM; so, no WWII service - he served no earlier than 1 January 1947 since the WWII Victory Medal was awarded until 31 Dec 1946.WWII Victory ranks in precedence just BEFORE Army Occupation and AFTER GCM. It's missing; so, he has post 1947 service. So, at best we have a guy who served sometime between 1 Jan 1947 and 22 April 1953 - giving him a 6-year GCM, only one Longevity Ribbon (4 years) and he served Occupation Duty. Given the quality you state; perhaps it's not fake. That means at best, this ribbon bar is complete as it stands - no other rows. Or an outside chance, as I said before, of a single ribbon top row for a commendation medal (which I think is unlikely given the time period). BUT BUT BUT... Reading this again...the BAR IS FAKE! The Longevity Ribbon wasn't insituted until 1957; so the earliest it could appear on a bar was 1957 (even though service eligibilty was retroactive). He would have to have a 1953 NDSM! It's missing. So, either someone made a mistake in precedence or it's fake. Sorry. My only mistake was saying "late 50s" instead of "late 40s". So, tell Megan, I'll buy dinner.

I don't see any guns in Post #29. All I see are field artillery limbers or caissons on a train. The limbers for the 7.7cm Fk 96 n.A. and the 10cm lFH 98/09 were very similar.