johnnymac

Hello Bill, To clear up something, I am not personally reclassifying the Un-official type 1, as a Official type 2. What I am saying is I that think it may have been wrongly classified in 1992 by Laslo. But until it can be proven or published with all facts to support it, it stands as it is - an un-official type1. Just remember there was no book or classification card that Laslo could refer back to. So he used what he felt would most accurately describe his medals. All this is based on his life long notes and the dealings he had with other collectors. Regards, Jim M.

Hi Bill, Great Photos, I believe there is strong evindence that this medal might just be a official type 2 and not a unofficial type 1. This medal you listed is in Laslo's book as an un-official type 1, but I don't feel that this medal is a un-official type 1. The internet has had a drastic impact on culture and commerce, including the rise of near-instant communication. This tool the internet was not available to Laslo 1992. I believe there is strong evindence that this medal might just be a official type 2 and not a un-official type 1. Starting off with your box as just one of several reasons. Over the years I have seen five other medals of this type, the un-official type 1 in the same marked box. This box I know was used for the official type 1 medal. Laslo's un-official type 1, are hard to find, but if it proven to be the official type 2 , then it may be a higher value than the official type 1.

Hi Bill, The service ribbon which I believe you are referring too (A). This type ribbon has been used on at less five State type medals. Which make me think that is not the unofficial service ribbon used to represent the Victory medal. The one marked (B) is more likely the unofficial service ribbon worn before the issue of the Victory Medal.. With the one marked © as we all know as being the official one to representing the Victory Medal. Happy New Year, Jim

Bill, Good Information on the US Military Forum. There is great information on all types of U.S. Collecting with very active members. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/ Did you note that the clasp in the first photo is on in reverse, both the medal and clasp are U.S. issue but I have a feeling there was dealer or collector intervention on this medal. Jim

Bill The stamp you have posted is the one Laslo refers to Repro 1, (p.88) as I am sure you already knew. The one's he ID's as Repro 1A, another "made in France", and Repro, 2 with the "made in Italy" are even harder to find. Both repro types, 1 & 1A will normally be found with the fake U.S. clasps I listed earlier, that is of course if they have clasps attached. Jim

To all, I have three of this type medals, one is stamped like Bill's is "Made in Fra"m"ce". And two without any marking at all on the rim, but these two do have clasps which are marked. Bill, your markings are clearer than the one I have. Jim

Lambert, Below - the large reversed clasp is the same type as the one in question that is for sale. The clasps with the black background, you will note, are the same style clasps as one mentioned earlier which was for sale on ebay. These fake clasps are offered in all the naval 19 "Duty" clasps, the 5 "Service" clasps, the 14 "Battle" clasps and also in most but not all of the 17 "Campaign" clasps (which were never issued or authorized). On the bottom left clasp, you see that the word "France" is hidden from view... About 1931, the import law were changed to the another type stamping. I reference the bottom right clasp with "Made in France" on the back of the backstrap.

Lambert, Here is my 11th Engineer medal which I purchased in 1984-85.

Lambert é uma medalha de mercado depois de feito na França, o Planchet os grampos, mesmo a fita não são uma boa. these clasps are technically "just and only" period clasps that came out in or around 1930. "Not one" of them are official, only the names used are official. Two others clasps are names of campaigns and they are also "not" authorized nor were they ever issued. My interest is to run up a red flag to our forum readers who may have interest in this item, not if seller know or did not know, tecnicamente grampos tese são "apenas e só" grampos período em ouro que o CAM para fora em torno de 1930. "Nem um" de'em são oficiais, apenas os nomes oficiais são usados. Outros dois fechos são nomes de campanhas e eles também são "não"autorizou nem nunca foram emitidas. Meu interesse é correr até uma bandeira vermelha para os leitores o nosso fórum que possam ter interesse neste item, se não sabem vendedor de ouro não sabia,

Bill listed a French made U.S. Victory in his Post #53 in this section. This medal, which is like Bill's illustration is grouped with other medals, as well this one is with tons of documents from this guys "Aunt" which he said she gave them to him. The Guy is selling it for school money. The starting trouble I see with it, is it has eight clasps when should only five and all the clasps were made in France, as was the medal itself. I can not say for sure if this person truly knows that the medal is fake or after market or a repro or etc etc. My point is to help the readers here become a better buyer. Note the suspension is the "Ball" type which is used most often by the French. Next pull up a Victory medal you or someone else has and to compare. http://www.ebay.com/...649180774393212

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

Lambert, If he is right now selling ebay can you post one of his items numbers? Jim.

Hello, I ask would it be possible to post a photo of one of Michelju Victory Medal fakes, so we all can share. thanks

Good morning, and thanks for posting this Bill, IMO there are several items that I might take a better look at. The Czech I would have to have better photos of, as from what I can see I have this feeling something is not right here. I know the Cuban is wrong, and as you said the Japanese and Greek medals. Adding - The Privately engraved Army Victory Medal could not have been until after June of 1920. This wrong dating is understandable as many believe the first issue date to be 1919. But here is a big question mark to me, and it is this, "L. Watson, Capt. A. S. A.", and it is assumed to be Lester Watson's own award for service in the Army Security Agency. To me, this engraving had to have been done at a later date and here is why I think so. WIKI: The U.S. Army Security Agency (ASA). The Agency existed between 1945 and 1976 and was the successor to the Army Signal Intelligence, dating back to World War I. In my way of thinking the engraving should be "L. Wastson Capt. A.S.I." (had been done in 1920, and not A.S.A.)? Jim

Hello If someone is looking for this type medal there is one on ebay for sale, starting $20. ending on Dec13, 2011 Jim http://www.ebay.com/itm/140658937097?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Lambert, Great photo, but why is the obervse and the reverse suspension shown in your photo as being two different types for the same medal? Jim M.

Rob, What a beautiful grouping thanks for sharing Jim M.

Here is what I call a type-4A reproduction of the type-2. (That one is 35mm OD, where-as the real type-2 is 36mm OD). The lower photo is a type-1 on the bottom and the top medal is the type-2

Bill There is what I call a type-6 reproduction of the type-1. (That's the one most think is the real type-1, because most collector have not seen a real type-1). There is what I call a type-4A reproduction of the type-2. (That one is 35mm OD, where-as the real type-2 is 36mm OD). Jim M.

Bill, They also make a copy of the type-2 as well as the type-1. I am looking any feed back why they or you, believe there was an issued type-1 outside of the fact that is mentioned in, A. Laslo's book.

Bill, thanks for sharing, Jim M.

Rob, I personally do not think the type-1 was truly a official issue medal. I, like you Rob, have several of them. With that said, I also feel a true type-1 adds a nice touch to anyone's collection. This weekend I with 3 other friends when to Washington DC, to the Arlington which is our national cemetery for the U.S. Veterans Day (Nov, 11, 2011). We watched our President lay the wreath at the unknown soldier tomb. We then went to Vietnam Veterans Memorial "The Wall" where the 4 of us have listed names of our friends on the "Wall". One of the names on the wall, was my classmate and friend, Johnny. You will note I use JohnnyMac as my handle, when fact my name is Jim. Our next stop was the World War II Memorial to honor ours fathers. We made the last stop at the World War I memorial to honor my grandmothers brother. I posted a photo of just one of the many U.S. hero's in this cemetery. Jim M.

This is one of my favorite medals. Jim M.

Bill & Lambert The 6th, 29th, 36th, 79th, 81st, 88th, and 92nd Division are but a few units that would have received your combination of clasps, and that does not take-in all the other individual soldiers. To you both, your medals with the Meuse-Argonne and Defensive Sector clasps are in excellent condition, thanks for posting them. Jim M.

The second one is also a modern repro. (the one you marked as it looked good). The Submarine clasp (Art Medal Works inc) is good and maybe the ribbon!