makedon

Dear collectors,

Within the past few years I found these identical pilot badges, that seem to be Greek. One of them even has a number on the lower part of the reverse. I am wondering if anyone could tell for sure whether these two examples are original Greek pilot badges. Has anyone seen them before? is there an expert on world pilot's badges?

thank you!

It looks like a modern Greek Navy NCO visor hat

I am posting both sides of the Korean War Service medal, 1st type.

The Greek to whom the group belongs received it in 1954, so the mystery becomes bigger.

Here are some Redeemer photos of different periods. The one on the lower left corner is the latter type of lemaitre, which corresponds to the Balkan Wars and probably WWI period.

Its approximate market price is 200-220 euros.

Lemaitre probably kept providing them during WWI. That's why I said "at least". I haven't seen any other manufacturers as far as I remember, in WWI groups.

SORRY!!!! It is LATE 1800s!!!!

Lemaitre was manufacturing Redeemer Orders from king Otho's reign (about 1850-60 probably), until at least the Balkan Wars (1912-13), as seen from the various photos. he wasn't the only manufacturer, as Georges Pomonis was also producing redeemers in the late 1800s. I do not know if the two manufacturers were taking orders at the same time periods, or they had simultaneous contracts with the greek government.

Greek-German War medal is also a correct term, used by collectors.

So, no worries! The rare type is the navy one, though. Same obverse, but different reverse.

Great info Herman and Hugh!

Where could I find the Ingraham book? What does it write for?

Any online sources or any other books on Korea war medals? I only have the one for UN peacekeeping medals, but it doesn't have many info.

By the way, how is it explained that the Turkish UN Korea medal is so much more expensive than the Greek and the French ones (for example), although it was given in bigger numbers?

I think it is about time we wrote a Korean War medals' book, similar to the one that Laslo wrote about Victory medals!!!

Dimitris

Thank you Hugh!

This is the story that I have also heard; that this is the 1st type of the medal. But, still, why didn't anybody wear it since it was awarded? I heard that they changed it because of the size and type (it didn't "fit" with the other medals in a medal bar !!!). And, most of all, why did the Greeks decide to be the only ones to wear it?

If anybody has a medal bar with this award, it would be interesting to see it mounted!

Indeed, your Redeemer is a Lemaitre-made of the late 1900's.

He is almost certainly a Greek Lieutenant General.

He could be a member of the 1st Greek Brigade or the Sacred Squadron, but the combination is strange and unusual, anyway. It doesn't seem to make too much sense.

makedon

Dear Collectors,

This is a group of a Greek conscript who fought in the korean War.

Interesting photos, documents and medals; among them the unofficial enamel badge. Also, a greek paybook, the first one that reaches my collection. The sleeve badges and the superior quality hat badge are also nice. I am wondering if anyone has any information on the Korean decoration seen on the top right of this photo. Who was it given to? What is its name? How many were awarded? Is it rare? I have only seen Greeks wearing it.

Regards,

Dimitris

Nice collection, but you will soon have a room problem. Try to use small drawers instead of frames-they saved me!

Dear collectors,

I just acquired this interesting medal group, mounted at J R Gaunt, Montreal. It consists of:

-Order of Canada Member

-Order of St John Officer

-Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee medal

-Greece-Red Cross Gold Cross

-Greece-Order of George I, Officer's Cross

-Greece-National Fund decoration

-Greece-National Struggle Cross 1946-1950

-Greece-Military Merit medal, 4th class

-Greece-Interallied Victory medal

It is interesting to see for the first time an unofficial state award, as the National Fund decoration, attached on a group of medals.

I do have some questions whether this group is genuine or not, as the Victory medal was awarded no later than 1919, while the silver Jubilee medal couldn't have been awarded before 1977. I am wondering if anyone knows where I could find information about the owner of this group. The only thing I have is that the Order of Canada has a number of "296" inscribed on its reverse. If anybody can help, your assistance would be highly appreciated!

Regards,

Dimitris

Hello from Greece!

These are Greek civil war (1946-49) badges, belonging to the communist (Democratic) army.

They are said to have been manufactured in Hungary.

May I ask how much you paid for them?

They are an interesting part of the greek modern history!

Dimitris