Vatjan

This is the medal of the veteran association "Ceux de 1940-45". ("Those of 1940-45) The medal exists in bronze, silver coloured bronze and gold coloured bronze. Jan PS: it is not Congo related.

The 1/M mention means that its number is 1 million 219 thousend 933= 1219933 The b on the left cross arm and the M on the right= bM means that the medal is made in a silver coloured metal rather than silver. This is perfectly consistent with the high serial number. I would say this cross was given just before the revolution in 1917. Jan

No, this is the correct ribbon for the Order of Leopold the first, which is usually just called the Order of Leopold. The blue ribbon with black stripe is for the Order of Leopold the second. Best regards Jan

Considering the inflation of the dollar over the last 2 years or so, these skyrocketing prices are not really all that spectacular. At today's rate, Nota Bene's SB at 2750 USD is equivalent to 1753 Euro. The SB he had for sale in January 2007 at 1870 USD was equivalent to 1420 Euro at that time. Not quite a dramatic price increase if you ask me, espicially considering the lower serial number for the SB actually on sale And no, I will not be doing the same exercise in Tugruks!!! Jan

Hi, If you read Dutch, you should try to find the following book: "LEVEN VOOR DE TSAAR: Russische ballingen, samenzweerders en collaborateurs in Belgi?" by Wim Coudenys Edited by the Davidsfonds, ISBN 90-5826-252-9 Jan

Hi guys, This one arrived in the mail today. I wasn't cheap, but I am very happy with it, seeing it is my first colonial medal, but definitely not the last. Now onwards to find the Hass book. Jan

Hi Paul, The National Archives edited a very interesting booklet on the origins of the Belgian national symbols. Unfortunately at the archives itself it is sold out, and I only have the flemish version. But maybe you could find one online. Auteur: DUBOIS S., JANSSENS J., avec la collaboration de A.MINKE Titre: La Belgique en sc?ne : symboles - rituels - mythes (1830-2005) Ann?e: 2005 S?rie: Educatieve dienst - Service ?ducatif Catalogi - Catalogues 23 Num?ro de la publication: 4449 Prix: 10,00 ?, (?puis?) Best regards Jan

To complete the research I did on the Belgian Armoured Cars Regiment that fought in Russia during the first world war, I'm looking to find more info on the opposing German/ Austrian regiments active during Brussilov offensive in 1916 and the Kerensky offensive in 1917 in the region of Zborof - Dorobiefka - Tarnapol - Lemberg - Ezerna (Izerna) - Koniouky. Thanks Jan

I, for one, would be very happy with an excellent herder SB, but I'm afraid 90%+ of the orders will be long service awards Jan

If memory serves me well, the city of Ulaanbataar also awards an order of merit called the Order of Genghis Khan. I'll have to check on the Monstame website. Jan

If it was suspended at a ribbon, it could very easily have been the belgian tri-colore. Many of the 1830 revolutionary symbols actually find their origin in the 1789 Brabant Revolution. The "Union gives strength" motto, the national colours, the name of the national anthem: the "Braban?onne" all these symbols can be traced back to the 1789 revolution. Jan

Yes the croix de guerre is mounted backwards to show the 1914-16 dates. Nice group Chris Jan

Hi Igor, Couls you help me out with the awarding dates of each series of medals. I have found in the Belgian archives a couple of award lists, each for a specific date, and I woul like to link those to your awarding sheet, but I can't read the dates on the pic Thanks Jan

That's a very nice, lovely quality, badge you have there Ed, congratulations. And THANK YOU for keeping all those serial number ranges up-to-date Jan

Is it possible to get pictures from lots in the FJP auction?? Jan

Detail

Here is the pic

Yes, I have, but I'm still confused, too much information to absorb all at once

Thanks for your answer Hendrik, only one slight problem the pic was taken in 1919

I have a pic taken in 1919 of a Belgian soldier wearing a Belgian War Cross, a French colonial medal with 2 clasps and a French Maroc medal. I suppose he was a legionnaire before the war. Moreover I suppose one of his colonial clasps would be a Maroc clasp. Could anyone make an educated guess as to what the 2nd clasp would be? Thanks Jan

Thanks for showing these lovely medals. A named privately manufactured piece is, in my opinion, more interesting than nameless official issue. Best regards Jan

Nothing like a little polar star to spice up a collector's life

The ribbon on the top is probably a wound badge, which officially is only a ribbon, but later became an unofficial medal. Jan Here's a pic from the "Symbol et Traditions" journal (if anyone has a copyright problem with this, please let me know and I'll remove the pic) The top "bar" was worn seperatly as a wound badge

Sometimes, hearing such stories, I have the impression I live on another planet.

Congratulations on your newly acquired group, chuck. Your collection of badges never ceases to amaze me Jan