France Croix du Combattant

[Megan]

Instituted: 28 June 1930.

Awarded: To active combatants in wartime.

Obverse:

[Megan]

Reverse:

[Tim B]

I know, another old thread dug up from the past, but this one hits the nail on the head so to speak...

Is there a way to identify or date these crosses? What I understand is the medal was instituted between World Wars, but anyone having a combatant card was entitled to it, back dated to WW1 and up to ...?

So, the question for me is this: Is there a way to distingush when one was made or awarded? Are there any identifying differences between the years?

Thanks!

Tim

[RobW]

Hello Tim,

While I can't profer any further information on how to accurately date these awards, here is another version of the Combatant Cross produced by Janvier-Berchot. It seems to be a more defined strike than the previously illustrated example from the Paris Mint and it has the triangle JB mint mark on the reverse of the lower arm.

Close-up of the mint mark to follow.

Regards, Rob

Edited April 3, 2010 by RobW

[RobW]

And here is the close-up of the J+B mint mark.

Regards, Rob

Edited April 3, 2010 by RobW

[Tim B]

Hi Rob,

Yes, I have a few of these and another one on the way. These are a simple, sharp looking design IMO.

This one is Janvier-Berchot, with a distinct J&B in the pyramid. Don't pay any attention to the faux fourragere. I know the Combattant's Cross doesn't rate a fourragere, but the seller's PIC's weren't that good and I was hoping for a fourragere that actually belonged to a Croix de Guerre T.O.E. Clever guy, made one out of braided nylon.

Oh well, at least the medal is in really nice shape and the maker's mark is very nice.

Tim

Edited April 3, 2010 by Tim B

[Tim B]

Another, what I think might be Janvier-Berchot, but the mark is not quite the same as the last one and the J&B is smaller. Still a nice strike.

Tim

[Tim B]

Here's one of the Paris mint (Monnaise de Paris) pieces.

Tim

[Tim B]

Waiting on this one. Supposed to be Arthur Betrand, but the mark dosen't look like his from the PIC. Have to wait to see it in-hand.

Tim

[Tim B]

So, that's what I have so far for the WWI pieces.

[Tim B]

And another Monnaise de Paris for a Vichy example.

Tim

[RobW]

Waiting on this one. Supposed to be Arthur Betrand, but the mark dosen't look like his from the PIC. Have to wait to see it in-hand.

Tim

Hey Tim,

When this one arrives, could you post a close-up of the possible Arthus Bertrand mark. I am doing some related French mint mark research and it would be helpful to compare the possible differences and similarities.

Regards,

Rob

[Tim B]

Hi Rob,

Certainly, as soon as I get it and get some PIC's taken. I too am curious as to the marking on this one. Arthur Bertrand, not so sure but, I am using a site reference and he may have used more than one, I just have to wait and see what I got in hand first.

Have you tried this link yet?

http://www.925-1000.com/index.html

http://www.925-1000.com/Ffrench_marks.html

Tim :cheers:

[RobW]

Hi Rob,

Certainly, as soon as I get it and get some PIC's taken. I too am curious as to the marking on this one. Arthur Bertrand, not so sure but, I am using a site reference and he may have used more than one, I just have to wait and see what I got in hand first.

Have you tried this link yet?

http://www.925-1000.com/index.html

http://www.925-1000....ench_marks.html

Tim

Hello Tim,

Yes I have been to that site before. As you have indicated Arthus Bertrand has a number of marks as did the other major French medal manufacturers of the time.

I am aware that Chobillon, Delande, and Bertrand all had a number of different marks that were used so that makes the identification all the more problematic yet at the same time all the more fun.

Regards,

Rob

[Tim B]

Well, believe it or not, I just now received the item.

Haven't had the time to take any real good shots but, looping it, the mark looks to be a triangle with M & N with some design above the apersand symbol. Not sure what it is yet, but will post a little larger PIC of the same design below taken from another seller's piece.

I could find M&M and M.N. but no M&N. So...anyone?

Tim

[Chris Boonzaier]

Fantastic thread... i guess its somethinh I am going to have to collect as well now.....

[Tim B]

Here it is. I still think the mark is an M & N with something above the apersand symbol. Lighting can make it look like an M&M, but the right-hand letter is IMO, a "N".

Tim

[Tim B]

and the mark. I still can't figure what the symbol above is.

[Chris Boonzaier]

To add to the theme...

Here is a fantastic and scarce document for the Croix du Combattant. Usually it is just a card.

Sgt Henri Mouchet fought at Verdun and had 3 citations on his Croix d Guerre

[Chris Boonzaier]

Another one... once again a local initiative, issued at village level after the man had been awarded the cross.

[PKeating]

Another Vichy replacement Croix du Combattant, struck by the Paris Mint.

Edited July 29, 2010 by PKeating