Gary B

Laurence, Nice tabs, especially like the musician tabs! Gary

Hi, A few threads ago Don started a thread regarding tips on medal bars. It was thought to be a little wide in scope but I thought it a good idea. Let's try to focus the thread some and see what we get... So to start it out, what things does one look for in a good war constructed medal bar? 1) Threads should not glow. 2) Consistent wear on all of the medals 3) Ribbon wear should match the medal wear (I like to see some wear on the ribbons where the medal rubbed against the ribbon) 4) Is the combination of medals possible? 5) Quality of constrution, bottom edges of medals should all line up, medals should be centerd on their respective ribbons. But what about finer things....what type of backing plate, what type of pin/catch.....I recently saw a TR medal bar with a snipped brass catch (scribe line visible). All of the medals were original and had wear consitent with the rest of the bar. I know on ribbon bars the snipped catch is a no go, but is it ok on medal bars? I believe brass pins and catches are ok on medal bars but a bad combo on ribbon bars... Just starting it out.... Gary B

Dear Don, Please post it when you have time. Dear Bob, Thanks for the comments. Yes, the SS bars are quite rare. I have only seen 2 others in the past several years. Gary B

Hi Laurence, Here is what I have. Not a great collection but a start. The bottom row is Reserve flight tabs. Gary B

Reverse

One more for the collection. Gary B

Hi, Here is a relatively common pair of tabs in very nice condition. It was important to me as it is the final tab I needed to complete my flight/para tab collection. (I do have one other set of flight 1LT tabs but they were in cellophane so I did not count that ) Gary B

Not only are they extremely rare...thay are mint! Gary B

Lawrence, I belive that Garth Thompson posted some pictures of these orange waffenfarbe tabs on a different forum a while ago. You might want to inquire with him. Gary B

Dear Rick, So based on your answer, why would there be single parade mounted LS awards for 25 and 40 years awards floating around. The ones I hgave seen look good, were they salesman samples or has the medal been switched from a LS 4 year award?? Gary B

Hi Jan and John, Beautiful pieces. I do have a question that I hope one of you can answer. I have seen several single parade mounted 18, 25 and 40 year LS awards in the past few years. It is my understanding that the higher grade LS awards had to be worn in pairs with a lower LS award i.e. 12 year with 4 year. This was in accordance with the German regulations. So why would there be single parade mounted LS awards for 18/25/40 (not including the LS 4 which could be worn as a single)?? Additionally, wouldn't someone who had 18 or 25 years of service have more than just that award?? Were these single parade mounted awards for salesman display boards?? Gary B

Dear Vic, You should post pictures of some of them as they are, I am sure, exceptional pieces. Mike had/has quite an eye for condition and quality. Gary B

Hi Don, The LS award is in my safe and I will have to get it out to scan the reverse. As an aside I do collect doubles...triple.....and anything else I can find! I will have to post my small but growing collection of medal bars. Gary B

Hi Vic, Yes, I was quite fortunate to purchase this gourping along with a few other things from Mike's collection. I only wish I had been able to purchase more. Gary B

Dear Peter and James, My friend sold the grouping which consisted of pictures, 2 RCAF/USA patches, 2 USN Wings, a RCAF Mini wing, helmet/goggles and paper work for $900. SO I guess it was a rare grouping indeed. Thanks for your assistance. Gary B

Dear Sal, That has top be the best Gold Span Cross I have seen in 30 years of collecting! Great purchase! I only have 1 SC, the one with the medal bar grouping that I posted previously. I hope to get the rest of the series one day. Any assistance/advise from you, Jacques or any other members would be appreciated! Please post some more! Gary B

Dear Laurence, Very nice piece. Hard to find them in the original carton. The 26s seem to all share the "problem" of paint lifting on the black core. It is really hard to find one without any lifting. As an aside, from my understanding, none of the Russian horde pieces came in the outer carton. So this would be a piece that just happened to stay minty on its own. Gary B

Police LS Gary B

Dear CJS, The War Merit Medal (the round one) was awarded to civilians for meritorious service (it is rumored that even some Jewish people received the award for their work on making counterfit money for the war effort). The War Merit Cross without swords was awarded to soldiers for meritorious achievement in a non combatant role. The War Merit Cross with swords was awarded to soldiers who for meritorious achievement (bravery or good leadership/staff work) in a combat role. The War Merit crosses on the ribbons are the 2nd class version of the award and are in bronze. The silver pinback versions are pinback and are for a higher degree of meritorious service. The 2nd class medals were, I believe, the most awarded medals in the Third Reich era. There was also a Knights Cross of the Wart Merit Cross (worn at the throat) which came in 3 classes (Bronze silver and gold with and w/ swords) for the highest achievements to the Third Reich. They were only awarded a few hundred times Hope this helps. Gary B

Dear James, Thanks for the information. Gary B

Hi, Does anyone know about the rarity of the RCAF US shoulder flash that was given to US soldeirs serving in the RCAF? PIctured on the following link: http://www.57rescuecanada.com I have located a grouping to a Marine who served with the Canadians in 1941 and then transferred to the USMC in '42. KIA in Solomons. Gary

Hi, Does any one know anything about the Canada/USA shoulder flash worn by US personnel who flew with the Canadians. I have an opportunity to purchase a group from an estate sale from a man who served with the RCAF in 41 and then transferred to the Marines in 42. Killed in the Solomon Islands. Patch pictured on this site. http://www.57rescuecanada.com Gary

Hi, More info as follows: Started flying with the RCAF in 1941, transfered to the USMC in 1942, trained at JAX, was missing in action / pursumed killed in the Solomon Islands actions, July 1945. Served with RCAF desigation of #9 SFTS. Patch pictured on this page. http://www.57rescuecanada.com Gary

Thanks Peter. I have yet to see the group in person. This is coming from an estate sale and includes documents and flight log pictures etc. My coworkers wife runs an estate sales company and everything I have seen come thru her doors has been original. I will know more later. Thanks again. Gary

Hi, I recently have seen a patch in a grouping that has CANADA over a flying eagle which is over USA. Is this a rare patch similar to the Eagle Squadron patch?? I dont have pictures. Thanks. Gary B