RobW

Hello GM1, Welcome to the forum and this particular area. It is not unusual for the Alexander Leisek maker marks to be very faint. Regards, Rob

Hello Bill, This same vendor had a clasp that is quite shiny and appears to be of recent manufacture. The lettering appears to be much more squat and elongated compared to the official strikes. Regards, Rob

To all, While my collection is in long-term storage, I would be interested to see what opinions there are on the scarcity of particular country award certificates/brevets/diplomas. I think the scarcest diplomas are: * Brazil, and * Italian Navy It would be good to hear other opinions. Regards, Rob

Hello Bill, It is a nice unofficial type 3 nonetheless. The unofficial type 3a are particularly scarce and hard to find. Regards, Rob

Hello Dave, At the moment my collection is in long-term storage so it is not at hand. My collection records indicate some were cast and others die-struck. It would be interesting to see what the French collectors think. Regards, Rob

Hello Dave, The only reason I can think that they would be imported into the US was for the existing collectors market. Yes; I have seen other victory medals with both the BRONZE marks as well as stamped MADE IN FRANCE. I have the following; * Belgian vic with MADE IN FRANCE & BRONZE on the edge. * Cuban vic with MADE IN FRANCE & BRONZE on the edge. * 2 Japan vics with MADE IN FRANCE on the edge. * 2 Portugal vics with MADE IN FRANCE on the edge. * 2 US vics with MADE IN FRANCE on the edge. * 2 US vics with MADE IN ITALY on the edge. I also have pictures of the following; * Czechoslovak vic with MADE IN FRANCE on edge. * Czechoslovak vic with MADE IN FRANCE on the suspension ring. In all these examples the style of stamp used is consistent with that seen on the Siam example. While slightly off-topic I have also seen this MADE IN FRANCE and BRONZE markings on a French produced British 1914 Star as well. That example is in the hands of a US collector. Regards, Rob

Hello Dave, I would suggest this item is not a fake but moreso a contemporary to the 1930's French reproduction. Regards, Rob

Hello Dave, I would agree that it is a copy and of contemporary to the 1930's period. The French manufacture accounts for the 'BRONZE' mark and the compliance with the US 1931 Tariff Law explains the country of origin 'MADE IN FRANCE' marking. Of course it will prove a bit harder to lock down the exact French manufacturer. Regards, Rob

Nice diplomes Jean-Michel. There is a wide variety of designs and different award categories for the French vic, so there should be many examples to be posted. There is also quite a few variations of the Italian award certificates. It will be good to see the document collectors amongst the group. Regards, Rob

Hello Rick, If we are going for a separate topic I would suggest some spring cleaning to remove the existing document posts in the country specific threads. This would then keep all the documents in the one place. On initial glances there are not that many docs already posted so it shouldn't take too long to quickly gather the stragglers and place them in the document topic. The forum is looking very organised and complete. Regards, Rob

To one and all, For those that may not be aware a very active French militaria forum has recently closed due to a number of 'events'. Some members here may have known it as the FIM and, while it was only in the French language, it was a real trove of information on all French medals. http://www.forum-insignes-medailles.net It is a shame to see such a forum succumb to disruptive factors. Regards, Rob

Hello Peron, A very nice Alexander Leisek produced variety. The obverse/reverse strike is quite good and the makers marks are quite pronounced. There should be the faint marking of 'Paul Dubois' on the obverse on the right of the feet of victory as viewed. It is a bit difficult to see in the pictures provided. Regards, Rob

Hello Peron, I would agree that it is a nice set. Much of the attention and interest in the Great War appears focuses on France and the combattants. It is these groups, that display both other theatres and 'unglamorous but essential' occupations, that are fascinating. Regards, Rob

For Paul, Some plain paper packets that were used for the issuing of medals from the Calcutta Mint. While these examples are of later era medals it would be probable that such packets were also used for earlier era medals. Regards, Rob

Hello Martin, While the collection of vics may be a restricted field it is the variety, created by all the different country models, that creates most of the challenge. If one were to just stick to a representative example from each country that would still be 14 medals. Having said that, trying to find some of the rarer models like the Brazil and Siam vics is problematic if you are on a budget. In a ironic way it is the unofficial period era strikes, as well as the 1920's-1930's reproductions that are a bit more difficult to find than the actual 'official' examples. Regards, Rob

Hello Pierre, You mention the model on the left, of the three you posted, has the Chobillon hallmark and bronze on the edge. Could you post a picture of the rim for us to compare? Regards, Rob

Hey Bill, That is, I think, one of the real benefits of this forum. Having the ability to compare posted pics against our examples educates us all. Regards, Rob

Hello Pierre, Welcome aboard ! In regards the Japanese War Medal 1914-15 and 1914-20 there is a clarification. As Rich has pointed out on his web-site, you could be awarded both medals, you just could then only wear one of them. Bill posted a link to his web-site at post # 42 of this thread. Regards, Rob

Hello Bill, If you grab a copy of pics of the two varieties: * Post # 15 - Matte brass finish. * Post # 16 - Gold-gilt finish. and compare them side-by-side that should be a good guide in your continuing hunt. Regards, Rob

Rick, Be careful because once you start identifying your varieties it is a slippery slope. One variety leads to the next and so on and before you know it.... Rob

Hello Paul, Thanks for the comment on the group. When I obtained it I had to do some research into what the Supply and Transport Corps was and certainly into what rank a 'Headman' was. So much variety with Indian medals. I have a couple of Indian groups and they all have the BWM with the characteristic larger suspender claw on the BWM indicating a Calcutta Mint production. I also have a group to an English LT who was commissioned into an Indian Regiment and received his medals while in India. Again the BWM is of Calcutta Mint production. I have seen other British groups where they received their medals when the arrived back in the UK and not while in India. We also know that the 1914-15 Star was produced by the Calcutta Mint due to the minor reverse die differences. The vic is the anomaly. As you have indicated people are sure it was produced by the Calcutta Mint but no records have survived to confirm this. This makes the search for definitive proof all the more interesting. Regards, Rob

To one and all, Has anyone else seen this variety since Milan posted this variety with the very small sword hilts and wider dates? Regards, Rob

To all, These particular bars to the US vic have started to appear on the online auction sites. Any thoughts from our US readership as to the origin of this latest addition to the never-ending number of varieties to the US vic. Regards, Rob

Hello Jean-Michel, While I have seen the uniface model in darker bronze, are you saying that there is a uniface model made in silver?? That would be interesting. Regards, Rob

To one and all, There is still much speculation as to whether or not the vic was also produced by the Calcutta Mint. Some believe it was and others insist it was produced in London. With little to no records from the Calcutta Mint surviving it will interesting if any of our Indian collectors could offer some insights. Regards, Rob