Hendrik

Hello Tony, I think it's a bit of both : older pieces will usually show better detail and craftmanship than more modern ones but there are, no doubt, differences between various manufacturers as well. Cheers, Hendrik

Hello Doc, There's also a medal connected to the order ... Here's a picture with a better view of the ribbon. Alas, not in my collection (yet) Cheers, Hendrik

Hello Kevin, Thanks for your information and pictures. It's indeed a non-combattant 2-part construction but I'm still surprised at finding the 1941 on the obverse. In the literature on this award that I've so far seen, that specific year was never mentioned as being on the obverse, only on its reverse, as the year of its institution. Coke + toothbrush ... I think I may give that a prudent try, thanks for the tip ! Cheers for now, Hendrik

... the reverse :

Hi Gents, So far I'd always read the obverse of this Fire Cross could have either 1942, 1943, 1944 or 1942-43 on the lower cross arm. I was thus rather surprised to see "1941" on this one ... I'd appreciate any information and/or remarks on this subject. I'll also include a picture of the reverse (which should have "1941") ... it's all covered with some material that is quite hard and non-removable for the moment (reminds me of concrete ! ). Suggestions as to removal of the substance are very welcome ! Cheers, Hendrik

Hello Gents, Another Italian "for merit" medal came my way and I'm guessing it might be a local award. Don't really know much about pre-1900 Italian medals so any information on this one would be highly appreciated ... Silvered medal, reverse named to one Crestana Michele 1898. Cheers, Hendrik

Hello Laurence, It is a lowly piece in so far as it's the lowest class in the order. But, it's also the rarest grade among the medals in that order. Those medals are awarded for long service according to hierarchy in the Belgian administration in its widest sense. Long service also normally means promotions during those years so a bronze medal would be for someone very low in the hierarchy, serving the whole time without any promotion entitling him/her to a higher class medal, a far rarer state of affairs than usual and thus making the bronze medal the rarer of the three grades. Indeed a very nice example you've acquired ! Cheers, Hendrik

... and thanks to you, Christophe, for your monitoring and keeping us informed ! Hendrik

Hello Martin, The reverse text translates as follows : The Oakleaves from the hands of the F?hrer. The F?hrer received in his headquarters (from left to right) Kapit?n zur See Rogge, commander of an auxiliary cruiser, and the submarine commanders Kapit?nleutnant L-W and Oberleutnant zur See S?hren, to personally hand them the Oakleaves of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross which were recently awarded to them. To the left behind the F?hrer stands the Kriegsmarine's Adjutant to the F?hrer, Kapit?n zur See v.P. Released by the F?hrer's Adjutantur Cheers, Hendrik

Hello Eduardo, No idea about the accuracy of that piece of artillery but I guess the text is not entirely devoid of a bit of propaganda in the good cause of French patriotism <-- whistling the "Marseillaise" ? ! Cheers, Hendrik

Hello Eduardo, The French text literally says : "French piece that destroyed ...", i.e. past tense. Also the reference to the Chemin des Dames battle and the village of Margival would place this piece of "equipment" behind the French lines, not on the German side of the front. So, in my opinion, a French contraption. Not too sure about it being mounted on a railway carriage : no rails to be seen and may be it's a caterpillar carrier ? Very curious and interesting ! Cheers, Hendrik

but no, I do not have all Belgian medals ... there's quite a few missing in my collection but the official ones are all mentioned on my website. Cheers, Hendrik

Lovely bar !!! Yummy Correctly without the 4-days marching medal as it's only authorised in the military to be worn in the year the participation to the march took place. I take it this is a surplus group of the colonel as the UK medals and XXXV Officer's LS cross aren't amongst those ? Excellent group in any case !!! Cheers, Hendrik

Well done Ed - thanks for letting us eavesdrop on that and wishing you success all the way ! Cheers, Hendrik

Hi Erik, Hadn't even thought of doing so ! Old age and slipping up ! Will contact him presto Hendrik

Hello Chris & All, You can find the various manufacturers' issues on my website www.medals.be (Spotlight on Verdun Medals section) - note that some have bars whereas the original Vernier model is not susposed to have one at all. Also, the Steiner and Rasumny made ones aren't really to be considered "Verdun medals" proper ... I'm still looking for a good picture of the Steiner medal (or, indeed, the medal itself). Hard to say which is my favourite amongst them but I think I'll go for the Augier 1st type because of its dated bar ... And there is, slightly , the German Verdun Commemorative Cross Cheers, Hendrik

Indeed, quite right and the French being specialists in creating unofficial bars apparently made a few more : MER D?AZOFF or MER D?AZOF or merely AZOFF, as mentioned, TRAKTIR also found as TRACKTIR TCHERNAIA MALAKOF MAMELON VERT KYNBURN also found as KINNBURN and EUPATORIA ... there may be more. I regret not having any of these so no pictures I'm afraid. I wouldn't mind someone starting an illustrated thread Cheers, Hendrik

Completely non-official of course but it bugs me not to know with any certainty what it is Cheers, Hendrik

With hindsight, far too much (and Spink & Son aren't the cheapest dealers around either) ... a wopping 45 Euros by today's standards ! If only Gorby had let me in on his plans for later Cheers, Hendrik

Hello All, The first Soviet medal to enter my collection : 6 November 1989, Defence of Leningrad Medal purchased with Spink & Son, London ... Cheers, Hendrik

Hello Roeland, I would love to see a picture of that one ! Haven't a clue as to what it is ... Cheers, Hendrik

Hello Kevin, You presume correctly althought this local award has a political connextion too. The reverse legend rather explains it all : The Brotherhood of Liberal Veterans of Schaarbeek to its President 29-1-38. The Soupart guy was, according to the obverse legend, alderman of the Schaarbeek suburb in Brussels. As he's mentioned to be president of the society, I think it's safe to assume he was a WWI veteran himself (although, in politics, who can be sure ?). Cheers, Hendrik

Thanks for the link, Christophe ! It does answer my question perfectly Cheers, Hendrik

Hello Christophe, Yes, thanks for the pictures ! I have one question : what are the tasks or functions of a "r?giment du train" as opposed to an infantry regiment ? Cheers, Hendrik

Doc, Christophe, If I'm not mistaken I think the name of the medal's maker is on the reverse of the cross : Koninklijke Begeer in Voorschoten. The firm of Tack in Breda is responsible for the mounting. Cheers, Hendrik