RobW

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

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

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. 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

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

To Lambert & Jim, Yes; this item is of more recent production. It was produced in Italy in the 1950s-1960s time frame. Regards, Rob

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

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

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

Hello Jim, 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

To all, 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

Hello Bill, 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

Hello Bill, A nice piece. It is definitely an Alexander Leisek produced Belgian unofficial type 1. There is a large variance in the quality of these earlier Czech produced pieces with many different ribbon shades seen, and some variation in the actual suspender (ball-thick wire). The die mark-lines on the edge is not uncommon. Yours has a very good level of detail on both maker marks. Regards, Rob

Here is the close-up pics of the central disc. The bi-lingual inscription and black enamelling is quite good. Depending on the angle that it is viewed it also appears that the enamelling changes hue from black to brown. The bronze can be clearly seen especially on the reverse. Are these silvered-bronze versions seen regularly? Regards, Rob

To all, Here is my single contribution to this fascinating thread. I have identified this model as the post 1951 version that is bi-lingual. Of note is that this model appears to be of a silvered bronze variety as the bronze background can be seen on both the Order itself, as well as the swords. The 'L' monogramed palm by contrast is very silvered. Close-ups of the central disc to follow. I would appreciate any comments. Regards, Rob

Hello Bill, Definitely a good copy. If it has the BRONZE and 'AC' makers mark on the edge it is definitely produced by the Chobillon firm. While there are fakes of the cuban they have not got the marks correct. I do not want to provide this detail as it will only educate the fakers. Regards, Rob

Hello Rich, I believe 'SJ' would be for Stefano-Johnson and 'FML' would be for Filippo e Michele Lorioli. Regards, Rob

This example is maker marked 'B' and, as was indicated above, it is incused. I have an example maker marked with 'R'. When I locate that I shall post it. Regards, Rob

To all, To further illustrate the point I have a couple of War Merit Cross' as part of groups. I shall post them when I can track them down. First up we have a plain unadorned War Merit Cross. Regards, Rob

Hello Lambert, While a little off-topic, here is the miniature italian war commemorative medal. It is part of a larger mini group of 5, including a vic, that I am re-constructing. It is maker marked 'S J' (Stephano Johnson) immediately below the wreath on the central bottom of the obverse. In addition the designers mark 'S.C' for Silvio Canevari is to the right, as viewed, of the bust of the King. Such detail from a miniature only 18mm in diameter is good workmanship. The dated year bars are also a nice design. I hope this helps. Regards, Rob

Hello Bill, A nice example with a good level of patina and little wear. Does the top of the ribbon have holes for what would be a pin type suspender? I note that this example also has the small triangle marks in the same position on the reverse. Regards, Rob