RobW

There seems to be several sand casted Vic's medal for sale on ebay by same dealer, check them and see if you agree? They are not marked as modern reproductions - Feb 1, 2012

Cuban Item number: 260946754425

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

Yes, the Greek vic he's offering looks to be a very poor casting - very pitted, as they all are. And a very strange ribbed ring in the suspension.

Bill

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

Hi Gents, My latest acquisition - but what exactly is it?

So, what do I have? Is it a poorly-struck Leisek piece - combining features of the Unofficial Types 1 and 1a - or a cast copy made by someone who hadn't known the difference between the 1 and 1a? All comments welcome. Bill

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

HI Gents,

In the light of those rough sand-cast copies - do you think this one is the real deal? It's a bit beat up, but it has BRONZE and the AC in a triangle mark on the edge.

Bill

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

A-FZ-J-M-P-SJ-FML are other marks.

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

Hi Gents,

My Greek Official Type (or Type 1) arrived today. As promised, here are the photos:

In reality it's closer to the colour of Rob's in the last post, but I took the photos in poor artificial light, so had to bring them up a bit.

Any comments welcome.

Bill

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

Hello Lambert,

Yes; it is the wide variety that makes collecting these items interesting. When I have time I will post a pic of an Italian war commemorative mini with four dated year bars.

Regards,

Rob

Another example from my collection: mini group, with Italian WWI Order of the Crown.

Lambert

Hello Lambert,

Nice group. It is interesting that the war medal has what appears to be two palms with 'A' or 'L' monogram on them; instead of the miniature dated year bars. These dated year bars are quite difficult to find.

Regards,

Rob

To all,

Here is a relative close-up of an official Greek vic, sans ribbon. This should aid others in identifying distinguishing features.

Regards,

Rob

wow- it does look cruder, but the clasp and the ribbon are a-ok IMHO! It must be a private purchase medal- but why? Is it bronze?

Hello Ulsterman,

Yes it is a bronze material, although of a very much lighter tone than the original issue. The planchet is a bit thinner as well.

I have seen this particular strike referred to as an 'un-numbered unofficial' strike. I don't see why it would have been necessary given that there are certainly a large amount of original numbered examples in the market.

Regards,

Rob

Just in, a nice Italian miniature set, 10 medals mounted on a black silk cord

Hello Bob,

Nice group. Being a specialist victory medal collector are there any markings on the victory medal? I would expect to see at least '@' and possibly 'SACCHINI' or 'SJ'.

Regards,

Rob

Here is another New York State World War 1 Service Medal.

It differs from that posted earlier (post # 31). The wear to the ribbon notwithstanding, it is suspended by a different brooch noticeable on the reverse.

In addition there are numerous die differences, on both the obverse and reverse. There is also no serial number on the reverse. Especially noticeable is the different font style with the country names in raised letters compared to incised lettering on the earlier example.

The wire suspender is considerably thinner than the earlier example and the medal has a much lighter bronze finish.

It is possible that this example is a later re-strike or re-issue of the earlier release. It would be interesting to hear from our US collectors on this.

Regards,

Rob

To all,

Here is a 1917-1918 War Service medal, from the City of Manchester, New Hampshire.

Regards,

Rob

Rob, how many Service Medals do you have?

Regards

Lambert

Hello Lambert,

I have had a closer look at my collection and have discovered a couple of other awards. I shall post them a bit later. One appears to be a re-strike of the New York State Service medal.

Regards,

Rob

Resurrecting a very old topic .. I have this mini group. with the Cross of Combatant Vichy. I found it very interesting.

Hello Lambert,

What is also interesting about this group is that the unofficial 'La Medaille des Combattants de la Marne' is mounted at the front of the group.

This unofficial Marne medal was created in August 1937 so you would expect to see it mounted toward the end of the group next to the unofficial wound medal. The recipient obviously valued his service on the Marne.

An interesting miniature group with a story to tell no doubt.

Regards,

Rob

Unfortunately, "13879" is not recorded in the issue records, which has many large gaps. The medal numbers near it were issued around 1921.

Hello Jeff,

Thanks for the information. It appears, at least anecdotally, that the medal was most likely issued to the recipient around the same time as his victory medal.

Regards,

Rob

Very cool! The OMSA database has a link to the NY records (compiled by an OMSA member). You can confirm the mans' identity there.

Nope- spoke too soon. OMSA is selling a hard copy of the New York numbers (greedy people) but Jeff Floyd has the list. He's a good guy and if you ask him he'll probably help you out.

Hello Ulsterman,

Thanks for the re-direction. I am aware that, apart from those that are directly attributed to an individual, there are also numbered NY State service medals that were not actually issued. Time will tell to see who this specific medal was awarded to.

Regards,

Rob

By the way- most NY medals are numbered. Does your have a number?

Hello Ulsterman,

Yes the NY State service medal is numbered. It is: No. 13879. It can be seen at the top of the reverse immediately below the suspension ring.

Regards,

Rob

This is a series that I also like very much, this example this superb.

The few I am assembling this collection, which also has some medals hard to find.

Rob, how many Service Medals do you have?

Regards

Lambert

Hello Lambert,

This is the only US state award I have. It is actually part of a larger group to a US serviceman from the 1st Division.

Regards,

Rob