Jef

OK, Jacky, let's have enamel it . Jef [attachmentid=41702]

[attachmentid=41698] another step

[attachmentid=41696]Hello Gents, Only to give an idea how such a medal is made. Of course there are more steps, but I'm afraid I only have three items. Jef

Hello Dave, Thank you for the nice photograph. Jef

Yes, of course, Michael. The rod and serpent badge, the badge with the international medical sign, symbol of medical sience. Used by lots of armies for medical units.This badge was completely out of my mind But I agree, don't think origins of the snake buckle are in Greek mythology. There was a time I believed the snake was of celtic origin... Saxon, Viking...Again, we are in the dark middle ages. A hundreds of years earlier we meet the Romans like Peter suggested. Here we go again... Thank you for your help. Kind regards, Jef

[attachmentid=41026][attachmentid=41023] Hello Kev, Above I add my mini. I suggest we wait and hear what specialists like Hendrik, Stijn, Guy or Vatjan will say. I might be wrong. Jef

Hello Kev, Never saw such type of crossed swords ( Roman type) on the Belgian "Commemorative medal 1940-1945" before. I know the medal with crossed sabres, large or small ones. Maybe Hendrik, Stijn or Vatjan may assist? Jef

Hello Ed & Peter, I suppose you are right it must be copied from earlier days. But why? . That's the reason why it confuses me....Almost every part, main part or additional part in a British badge can be explained and refers to the kind of unit, its origins, the person who raised it or its merits. The other parts of their uniform: collar badges and other insignia can be perfectly explained.... Only the snake clasp is copied and has no signification! It doens't make sense. But I accept you're right. with kind regards from Flanders, Jef

Dear Bob, Ed, Michael, Peter and Tony, Thank you for your help. It seems more complicated than I thought. If you are using a snake in your equipment, you might think it has a symbolic or heraldic meaning. As far as I'm concerned there are no British regimental badges which displays snakes. Or am I wrong? again, thank for any help, Jef

[attachmentid=40790] Snake 5: attached to Belgian belt. I think it's the same snake as n? 2. There are no markings on any of the snakes. Thank you for any help Jef

[attachmentid=40788]snake 4: type? . Bought on a military fair. plain back

[attachmentid=40786]Snake 3: Belgian type. Found in the Houthulst area( Belgian sector) By the way, the back of snake 1 & 3 are identically of the front . The back of snake 2 and 4 are plain.

[attachmentid=40785]Snake 2 British type. Found in the Ypres area

Dear Gents, In the past I tried to find information about the British "1914 Leather Equipment", especially about the snake clasp. So far nobody was able to help. I'm about 5 month's member of GMIC now and I noticed, in fact I'm perplexed by the knowledge of the members. I must admit I don't know a similar forum like GMIC. The way it gives information, the way the members are sharing their photographs and knowledge. Really great. Thank everyone of you. Back to the snake clasp now. Have 5 snake clasps, and 4 are totally different. The snake buckle belt (1914 Leather Equipment) was used by the British Army. Later the Belgian army also used this type of belt for a period (more narrow; about 4 cm = 1,5 inch, the British belt is about 2 inch broad)) Maybe other armies also used this type of belt? I saw photographs of British policemen and photograph's of Belgian members of the fire brigade with a snake belt as well. So I was wondering, what are the origins of this type of waistbelt. I was told it was used since the 19th century by the British Forces and the origins are from India (?). But that's all I know. I will enclose some pics. The shape is the same, a horizontal S, but 4 of the snakes has a different engraving. Perhaps because of the different manufacturers? Is there anyone who can trow a light on this, or recommend me a good book on this topic. With kind regards, Jef PS. snake 1 was found in the Ypres area. British type ([attachmentid=40784)

Thank you Steve, Thank God, my rusty FA kreuz isn't that bad as that 1813 EK, I cleaned it with a non-aggressive oily liquid. When I look with a magnifying glass, I see tiny holes but I hope oxidation will stops. kind regards, Jef

Hello Steve, Mine is a bit rusty. Was wondering how to preserve it? best regards, Jef

Dear Rick and Ed, First of all thank you for your reaction and offer to help. Rick, I would be glad if I could find new replacement ribbons of the Bronzene tapferkeitsmedaille Kaiser Karl and das Eisernes verdienstkreuz ohne krone. I guess these are the same ribbons. I'm also looking for the ribbon of Milit?rdienstzeichen fur Unteroffiziere ( 6 jahre) and for the blue ribbon of das Oestereichischer Ehrenlegion kreuz. Ed, concerning OMSA, I'm afraid I'm not a member but I will visit their website very soon. Again, thank you both, Jef

Dear friends, I was wondering if anyone of you knows where I could buy some Austrian ribbons. Have some medals without any ribbon, and I would like to complete it. Kind regards from Flanders Jef