RobW

Hugh, Happy to be of help! I have not seen such a type either in my collection (4 pieces) or through my hands. All the pieces I've had or seen, have been one piece struck medals with very good detail and certainly not two piece and joined together, and they were of the early type (marked AB) as well as the later issues so I'm at a loss there. In addition, I've inquired with a number of other collectors in Sydney who have not seen such a hollow two piece type. Just because it hasn't been seen doesn't mean it isn't possible. I have sent a query to a collector friend in Prague and shall post the results when known. Regards, Rob

And the reverses. Note the differences in detail of the flags and the slight differences and weight of the japanese inscriptions around the edge. In addition there are a number of instances where different characters are used, in particular at the bottom centre 6 o'clock position on the rim inscription. Hope these pics help comparisons. Regards, Rob

To all, For a direct L-R side by side comparison here are a French made repro and a Japanese vic official. The first of the French made repro's were produced in the mid to late 1920's and were not all edge marked. Some have been seen with just BRONZE on the edge with others unmarked. Those produced in the 1930's have the edge marking 'MADE IN FRANCE' to comply with the US Tariff Law of 1931, which required marking with the country of origin. There is, in addition, to the standard repro, a cast copy of the French repro as well. It has an even shallower field of detail, is suspended by a ball suspender and has the same French made ribbon. When I can find it I shall post pics. Regards, Rob

Type with single regiment shield, with 'AB' stamping. Hope this is of use. Regards, Rob

Single location bar. Type with 'AB' stamping.

Revolutionary Cross Specimen with multiple ribbon devices. Type with 'AB' stamping. Regards, Rob

Hello Hugh, In answer to your question, and to echo the reply of 'Rick Research' the number on the ribbon of the Czech Revolutionary Cross/Medal is the number of the regiment and/or Czech Legion the participant served in. There were a number of different numbered devices depending on where the recipient served. The shields with numbers relate to the following regiments-legions and locations: a. Russian Legion - 1-12 b. French Legion - 21-24 c. Italian Legion - 31-35 and 39 In additional to the regimental numbers there were a number of named shields and bars that indicated action participation as follows: a. ČD (Česk? dru?ina or Czech Brigade) b. L.E. (L?gion ?trang?re or Foreign Legion). c. Russian Legion - ZBOROV, BACHMAČ, SIBIŘ. d. French Legion - ALSACE, ARGONNE, PERONNE. e. Italian Legion - DOSS' ALTO, PIAVE. d. Those in Serbia - S or SERBIE. There are numerous reproductions of these bars with original ones considered quite rare. What complicates matters is that some original manufacturers have also produced recent versions as well so it is quite difficult to differentiate repro from original. There were also four different versions produced as follows: a. Type 1 ? Bronze cross 1918-19, stamped AB (as in your example). b. Type 2 ? Light bronze 1920-38, c. Type 3 ? Dark bronze 1920-38. d. Type 4 - Bronze 1920-38 without stamping. In regards the Order of the White Lion, Commander's Cross for Civil (3rd Class) ? 1st Type, Neck badge, the makers mark 'KK' belongs to the Prague firm of Karnet and Kysely. It was the biggest Czech medal producer before 1948, and produced all manner of Czech orders and decorations, including a re-issue of the Czech Victory medal. Pictures to follow. I hope that this helps. Regards, Rob

To Rick Research, Could I assume that the handy Czech reference book (in the Czech language) is either: "Československ? Vyznamen?n?, 1918-1938, Vol 1, Měřička Vacl?v, 1973" or "Československ? Vyznamen?n?, 1918-1948, Vol 1, Ludv?k Suken?k & Vlastislav Novotn?, 1997" I have a copy of the 1997 edition, as shown, and it is a truly wonderful reference book. Further details re the Czech Revolutionary Cross/Medal to follow. Regards, Rob

And the required close-up pics. Regards, Rob

To all, The closest thing I have to such a French repro is a French produced British victory medal miniature. It was picked up from a French dealer in Paris. It is suspended by a ball suspender and looks close to that above. While it is suspended from French style vic miniature ribbon that, in itself, is not an indicator of anything. Happy for any thoughts on the issue. Regards, Ro

And the required close-up pics. Regards, Rob

To all, The closest thing I have to such a French repro is a French produced British victory medal miniature. It was picked up from a French dealer in Paris. It is suspended by a ball suspender and looks close to that above. While it is suspended from French style vic miniature ribbon that, in itself, is not an indicator of anything. Happy for any thoughts on the issue. Regards, Rob

To all, For those that have not seen a colour pic of one, here is an award certificate for the Czech victory medal. In this case it is to a soldier of the Czech-Italian Legion. When I can find my similar certificates for the Czech-Russian and Czech-French Legion I shall post pics of them as well. The earliest certificate I have seen is dated August 1922 with this one dated in 1935 one of the latest that I've seen. Any comments on later dates or higher numbered awards would be gratefully received. Regards, Rob

To all, I have recently posted pics of a Brazil vic both full size and mini on the Victory medals of the world thread. Regards, Rob

To all, Here is the accompanying miniature for the Brazil vic. Produced in France it is not often found. The diameter is 15.5mm. More to follow. Regards, Rob

Hello Jean Paul, I obtained both specimens via the Royal Mint at Pretoria, South Africa. As far as I can recall they were minted at the Woolwich Arsenal in England and then shipped to the Mint at Pretoria, for subsequent naming in location, and distribution to the recipients. I obtained the pieces from stock that were left over and hadn't been issued; hence they are unnamed. In recent times there has also been a number of unnamed 1914-15 Stars and British War medals floating around the market that are left of these unissued, unnamed stocks. You are indeed correct that the type 2 are less plentiful than the type 1. While I don't have an accurate figure on type differences I have seen less than 5 type 2's South Africans amongst a sea of type 1's. Glad the pictures were of use. Regards, Rob

Reverses as indicated. Reverse; minor variations in the positioning of the circular wreath in relation to the rim edge of the medal, minor differences in the position, spread and spacing of the bilingual inscriptions, this being noticeable where it abuts the internal circular wreath, and a smaller gap where the delineating dots separate the two languages. Overall the differences are of a minor nature. Blink and you'll miss them but they are there nonetheless. I hope this helps. Regards, Rob

In answer to Jean Paul's inquiry here are the South African Official type 1 and type 2 from my collection. Official type 1 on the left with type 2 on the right. Both are unnamed as issued. The differences are: General; the official type 1 has a much more pronounced and noticeable plinth on which the barrel suspender is attached. This is much less noticeable or prominent on the type 2. While I haven't been able to confirm it, it does appear that they are made from different base metals. It looks like the type 2 was a slightly heavier strike resulting in more pronounced detail. Obverse; minor variations in victory herself showing in the detail of the face, the top garment, the internal wing leaf detail, the flowing robes, and where the robes finish at the base of the medal, with minor differences in the base platform. The major difference is the lack of the designers initials 'W.McM' on the obverse. Reverses to follow. Regards, Rob

And the reverse. Regards, Rob

Hello Tim, As indicated before here is the other variety. It is the same diameter and made of the same material. Again apologies for my poor scanning attempt. Reverse to follow. Regards, Rob

To one and all, I am attempting to confirm or deny if a French made reproduction of the Great Britain Victory medal for the Great War was ever produced. I am not sure if to post here or in the Great Britain forum so will choose both. This victory medal is depicted as illustration no. 158 on page 45 of M. Delande's 1934 Paris work 'Les Ordres Fran?ais, Les Ordres Coloniaux, M?dailles Comm?moratives, M?dailles d'Honneur des Minist?res, Les Croix et M?dailles, de la Guerre 1914-18, des Pays Alli?s'. Of note is that most of the interallied victory medal series are illustrated in this work, and there exist many specimens of these repro's including the Japanese, Czech, Greek, and US versions, as well as possibly the Belgian model. It is depicted with a ball suspender which was common for most of the produced and seen French repro's and it is most likely to have BRONZE on the edge and the hallmark of M. Delande (a small square or more likely a lozenge shaped hallmark). I have attached a copy of the illustration in question, taken from an original 1934 copy of the catalogue (and a very fragile book it is; but it has such marvelously wonderful drawings especially of the Colonial decorations !). Have any collectors identified an actual specimen of this variety as it is still unconfirmed, through two editions of Mr Laslo's work and the ensuing 75 years? Can anyone help?? Regards, Rob

To one and all, I am attempting to confirm or deny if a French made reproduction of the Great Britain Victory medal for the Great War was ever produced. I am not sure if to post here or in the French forum so will choose both. This victory medal is depicted as illustration no. 158 on page 45 of M. Delande's 1934 Paris work 'Les Ordres Fran?ais, Les Ordres Coloniaux, M?dailles Comm?moratives, M?dailles d'Honneur des Minist?res, Les Croix et M?dailles, de la Guerre 1914-18, des Pays Alli?s'. Of note is that most of the interallied victory medal series are illustrated in this work, and there exist many specimens of these repro's including the Japanese, Czech, Greek, and US versions, as well as possibly the Belgian model. It is depicted with a ball suspender which was common for most of the produced and seen French repro's and it is most likely to have BRONZE on the edge and the hallmark of M. Delande (a small square or more likely a lozenge shaped hallmark). I have attached a copy of the illustration in question, taken from an original 1934 copy of the catalogue (and a very fragile book it is; but it has such marvelously wonderful drawings especially of the Colonial decorations !). Have any collectors identified an actual specimen of this variety as it is still unconfirmed, through two editions of Mr Laslo's work and the ensuing 75 years? Can anyone help?? Regards, Rob

Hello Hendrik, I have just posted some pics of a Siam vic on the Victory medals of the world thread. Regards, Rob

Here is a Brazil vic on loan to me; an official type 2 according to Mr Laslo's book (no edge mintmark). Regards, Rob

Here is the not often found Siam miniature; produced in France. Regards, Rob