RobW

Here is another with a 1966 date bar.

Regards,

Rob

Hello Lambert,

Thanks for posting.

That is a nice Romanian unofficial variety, with good detail.

You will find that some of the unofficial Romanian varieties are becoming harder to find, with the unofficial type 3a being particularly difficult. They are seen rarely.

Regards,

Rob

Hello Bill,

Interesting statistics on the ribbons.

Just to confuse me further (never a difficult task) I have a Greek Official type on a new-looking ribbon that is 32mm wide. Would the Greek medals have been on French ribbon originally?

Bill

Yes, the official greek vic would have come on French ribbon.

The Romanian official vic has also been seen on a French ribbon. The unofficial types 1, 2, 3, and 3a have been seen on a variety of local Romanian produced ribbons. The colours, tones and widths vary as a result.

Regards,

Rob

To all,

Here is another example, albeit less a date bar.

Regards,

Rob

Hello Mel,

A nice mini you have. What is the diameter of the piece as French mini's are found in a number of different sizes?

Regards,

Rob

To all,

Here is my contribution to this fascinating thread.

A Republic of Vietnam campaign medal with the 1949-54 date bar. It is of local manufacture.

I have a number of these that have different date bars. When I can track them down I shall post some pics.

Regards,

Rob

I wish I had an orginial document, but are very hard to find.

Lambert,

Have a look at ebay France. They seem to have a number of Czech items on a regular basis.

Regards,

Rob

Hi Bill,

Replacement is not, was loose when I bought, I suspect that is Belgian. But it is original.

Lambert

Hello Lambert,

As you have surmised the ribbon is indeed of Belgian manufacture, seen on the official vic.

Regards,

Rob

While we are on the subject of Belgian vics here are some pics of an unofficial type 2, by Riemer.

The 'R' makers mark is clearly identifiable on the reverse, just below the central wreath.

Regards,

Rob

I don't have many vic medals but this one I really like.

Hello Mel,

A nice example. The greased wrapper paper appears to be in good condition as well. A good find.

Be careful, as vics can become terribly addictive!

Regards,

Rob

This example of Vic Portugal was offered me. I believe to be the type manufactured by French firm of M. Delande (Paris)

Let me know what you think.

Lambert

Hello Lambert,

Are there any markings on the rim? If there is a BRONZE mark or any other makers mark that may indicate French production.

Regards,

Rob

Hello James,

Thanks for the clarification.

Given the wide variety of ribbon attachments for this medal I originally thought it may have been another attachment not previously seen.

Regards,

Rob

The French firm of M. Delande (Paris) produced reproductions, including cast copies, of all the vic series. This was during the late 1920s and early 1930s timeframe.

Here is a cast cuban.

There are some scorch marks on the obverse and reverse from the casting process and filing wear and marks on the ball suspender. There are no edge marks.

Regards,

Rob

Here is one that I have had in my collection for many years. I am not sure about the number of bars but this is the way I received it from a Belgian friend.

Hello James,

Thanks for your pics. What is the attachment at the top of this example?

Regards,

Rob

Here is another that is part of a well-worn group of three. The service bars indicate a long period of service at the front, with the volunteers crown atop the bars. The volunteers gilt crown is larger than the original 6mm wide version authorised.

The wound cross is different again to the example of Tim B and the one in the above post.

The official decree instituting the award, of 21 July 1919, specified the red enamel cross to be 10mm. It does however appear that there were at least some form of variety in the crosses that were available at the time probably due to manufacturer variations.

The fact that this recipient has three wound crosses is at least indicative of the conditions at the front-line.

Regards,

Rob

Hello Lambert,

Here is one of my navy war commemorative medals with a wound cross. It is different to that displayed by Tim B (post # 2) and has a very nice enamelled surface.

The single silver and gilt service bars surmounted by a Mothers Bar indicates service at the front that was ultimately cut short.

Regards,

Rob

HI Gents,

My latest acquisition - the Romanian Official type.

Hello Bill,

A nice example of an official type you have obtained. It shows very little wear and is in good condition. Congrats!!

Finding the award brevets in a correspondingly good condition is a bit more difficult to achieve.

The ribbon seems to be new - it's very smooth and stiff - and it's a type I haven't seen before. Can anyone say which country it is?

Any comments welcome.

Bill

This ribbon was/is produced in the United States. It is also seen on a number of re-ribboned US vics as well as some of the more recent 'reproductions' that are commonly seen there as well.

Regards,

Rob

I have just seen two medals exactly the same with the paper included on another site.

Was there a lot of these recently uncovered??? The reason I ask is I get nervous when I start to see a lot of "hard to find" or not "often seen" medals starting to appear.

Hello Pagan,

While there has been a number of recent lots uncovered these were of the War Commemorative Medal and wrapper. I am aware of a smaller lot recently uncovered of the Belgian vic with corresponding wrappers, and they are indeed not seen that often.

It is, I suppose, a relative term. I mean it in the sense that both the War Commemorative and vic are not regularly seen in their original greased wrapper paper and if they are seen it is as a single item. Finding them listed as a pair with matching wrappers is not common considering the much larger number of plain Belgian vics that are in the market. Of course it is also dependent on the condition of the wrapper which has a habit of tearing quite easily.

I would certainly recommend any vic collector to obtain a specimen if the opportunity presents.

Regards,

Rob

To all,

Here is another as indicated with the 'R' mark.

Regards,

Rob

Yes.

He has an unofficial Italian type unmarked U $ 154.00

She seems to be ok. However, I do not dare buy it.

Thank You Lambert for your posting.

I would not, for myself purchase this medal as I believe it to be a very resent modern repro.

Jim

To Lambert & Jim,

Yes; this item is of more recent production. It was produced in Italy in the 1950s-1960s time frame.

Regards,

Rob

American Legion membership medal.

Thanks Jeff,

Regards,

Rob

To all,

This ribbon bar was recently on an online auction site.

The vic with stars is readily identifiable, as is the St. Mihiel medal in the middle, but the ribbon on the end is a mystery.

Do any of our US collectors have ideas as to the identity of the third ribbon?

Regards,

Rob

To all,

Further to post # 18 here is a nice pair of matching Belgian medals in their Fonson wrappers. These have been listed on an online auction site and are not seen that often.

Regards,

Rob

Yep - another poor casting. Pitted and low on detail.

Bill

It is still marked. "made in france"

Lambert

Hello Bill & Lambert,

The French firm of M. Delande (Paris) produced reproductions, including cast copies, of all the vic series. This was during the late 1920s and early 1930s timeframe.

The requirement for medals to have their country of origin was due to the US Tariff Law of 1931. In that regard there appeared to be nothing wrong with that particular cast Italian reproduction.

Regards,

Rob

Yes, they are sand casting, of poor quality.

Lambert

Hello Lambert,

The French firm of M. Delande (Paris) produced reproductions, including cast copies, of all the vic series. This was during the late 1920s and early 1930s timeframe.

Regards,

Rob