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    Swiss Military Medals?


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    A bit more info:

    ".... Switzerland does not have any Official Orders, Decorations or Medals. As well, there are strict rules to the acceptance of Foreign Awards. Not all Swiss can accept foreign awards; members of the armed forces, government employees and parliamentarians are banned from receiving them under national legislation. This ban was originally implemented in the 1848 Swiss constitution, as a means of guaranteeing Switzerland?s independence from foreign interests. Before 1848, the Swiss Confederation?s biggest export was soldiers. To guarantee the loyalty of these mercenaries, foreign monarchs, especially the French, used to award them pensions, titles and medals. But when Switzerland?s first constitution was drawn up in 1848, the authorities wanted to guarantee the new state?s independence. All mercenary service was abolished with the exception of the Vatican Guard, and strict guidelines for foreign awards were established. Article 12 of the Constitution said that parliamentarians and federal employees could not receive or wear foreign decorations. When it was revised in 1874, the ban was extended to citizens serving in the army. This did not stop some politicians from receiving awards. The most famous case involved Gustave Ador, a federal minister at the end of the First World War, who wore the Legion of Honour?s Grand Cross, the highest possible distinction. In 1931, to prevent further abuses of this type, the government tightened the rules, banning cantonal authorities and employees from accepting foreign honours. Parliamentarians were also told to hand back any medals, even if they had been awarded before being elected to office. This happened to Geneva?s Jean Ziegler, who had to give up on his officer?s rank in the French Order of the Arts in 1987. The latest revision of the Constitution in 1999 saw Article 12 disappear altogether. Parliament decided that such a ban could be covered by legislation. The new law goes over the much of the same ground previously covered in the Constitution. Citizens serving in the army, parliamentarians and federal employees cannot accept foreign awards. Those who received them before taking office simply have to restrain from wearing their medals in public....."

    Ref: swissinfo 1 Aug 03, Olivier Pauchard

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    Hallo BJOW :cheers:

    the Swiss I believe do issue ribbons for various exercises and training accomplishments but very few actual medals.

    Kevin in Deva. :cheers:

    Cheers Guys, I suppose this makes sense, as their not the most warlike country in the world are they!!!!

    I was very surprised to learn that their not part of NATO!!!!

    They make nice chocolate mind... :jumping::rolleyes:

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    :jumping: The Swiss Army knife in tactical red, they don`t really use/issue them do they? :rolleyes:

    The red blends in with the pretty mountain flowers in the high Alpine pastures, ask MacGyver :P

    <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/6b3b/" target="_blank">http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/6b3b/</a>

    http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/8b97/

    Or in Blue for the Swiss Navy :rolleyes:

    Kevin in Deva. :D:beer:

    Edited by Kev in Deva
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    Kev, love the bottom one, you`d need two hands to hold it.. :speechless:

    What do you think of the latest issue Swiss Army assault rifle...?

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    Hallo BJOW :cheers: the Swiss I believe do issue ribbons for various exercises and training accomplishments but very few actual medals. Kevin in Deva. :cheers:

    Kev, do they have any Orders like the British KBE, etc,etc? BB

    Edited by Blackbird
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    Kev, do they have any Orders like the British KBE, etc,etc? BB

    Sorry, Blackbird, I have no idea with regards civil issues,

    but reading what is posted above it seems their is a disdain from wearing any decorations :unsure:

    But to bring this thread back in line I attach pictures of this Swiss Commemorative Piece

    from 1945 recently for sale on e b a y

    Kevin in Deva. :beer:

    Edited by Kev in Deva
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    This is a link to Swiss Table Medals :-

    <a href="http://www.historicalartmedals.com/MEDAL%2...ew%20thumbnails" target="_blank">http://www.historicalartmedals.com/MEDAL%2...ew%20thumbnails</a>.

    from the: COLLECTION OF BENJAMIN WEISS

    MEDALS BY JEAN AND JACQUES-ANTOINE DASSIER.

    Peacekeeping Service Medals: As a result of a Directive dated 10 March, 2000, Swiss soldiers who serve on peacekeeping mission are authorized to wear a medal for that service. The medals are awarded for 150 days in theatre.

    To date, the following medals have been authorized: Peacekeeping Medal (pictured left), Korea, Namibia, Sahara (MINURSO), Bosnia-Herzegovinia and Kosovo.

    SWISS SHOOTING MEDALS:-

    http://news.webshots.com/album/25816090sMehgXPDta

    Kevin in Deva. :beer:

    Edited by Kev in Deva
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    Peacekeeping Service Medals: As a result of a Directive dated 10 March, 2000, Swiss soldiers who serve on peacekeeping mission are authorized to wear a medal for that service. The medals are awarded for 150 days in theatre.

    To date, the following medals have been authorized: Peacekeeping Medals Korea, Namibia, Sahara (MINURSO), Bosnia-Herzegovinia and Kosovo.

    Kevin in Deva. :beer:

    Guys In an earlier post Laurence posted a link where the various Peacekeeping Medals are shown.

    From the insigna forum.

    One thing has to be remembered when posting endless links and linkups to image hosting sites, once these become broken the thread becomes worthless and valuable information is lost for ever.

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    As one of my links relates to Swiss Table Medals of a historical nature

    I did not see the need to copy the many images to G.M.I.C. (would need to seek permission anyway!)

    as the link is just to give an idea that the Swiss were into producing medals,

    if not into wearing them.

    Kevin in Deva. :beer:

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    As one of my links relates to Swiss Table Medals of a historical nature

    I did not see the need to copy the many images to G.M.I.C. (would need to seek permission anyway!)

    as the link is just to give an idea that the Swiss were into producing medals,

    if not into wearing them.

    Kevin in Deva. :beer:

    Morning Kev,

    That was a general remark, not just regarding the broken Table Medal link.

    Don't you find it annoying following a link to a non-existant image?

    It sadly often happens.

    Regards Eddie.

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    Guys In an earlier post Laurence posted a link where the various Peacekeeping Medals are shown.

    From the insigna forum.

    One thing has to be remembered when posting endless links and linkups to image hosting sites, once these become broken the thread becomes worthless and valuable information is lost for ever.

    :jumping::jumping: I like the Bosnia one, far better quality then the NATO ones they issued us!!! Are Swiss medals expensive to buy do we know? :jumping::jumping:

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    Found this WW1 Swiss medal up for auction on Ebay (US seller).

    WW1 Swiss Military Service Medal 800 Silver - No Reserve

    This is a nice heavy silver badge as awarded to a WW1 Swiss Soldier. 1 1/8" wide x 1 3/8" tall lightly vaulted badge features a Swiss Soldier on the front. The back has a large Swiss cross and writing in three languages. Dated 1918. The back is stamped "0800".

    WW1 Swiss Military Service Medal 800 Silver - No Res Item number: 270232709021

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    The Swiss medal above is not an official military issue per se,

    but an item that was sold to raise money to help the wives and families

    of soldiers away on duty at the borders, state security etc..etc in the WW1 years.

    This one has been further modified to a broach fitting.

    Kevin in Deva. :cheers:

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    The Swiss medal above is not an official military issue per se,

    but an item that was sold to raise money to help the wives and families

    of soldiers away on duty at the borders, state security etc..etc in the WW1 years.

    This one has been further modified to a broach fitting.

    Kevin in Deva. :cheers:

    Arharrr.....cheers for the Kev. A nice medal anyway.. :rolleyes: Along the same lines as the sweetheart badges from the UK, during the same period, it would seem.

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    • 7 years later...

    The swiss army had in the past (1980s) some pins for specialisations. Those was called in the troops jargon  "Sugus", reason fot that was there square form like the bonbons. If i'm correct that got changed somewere in 95 with a new ribbon system for specialist and duty-ribbons.

    More here:

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_awards_and_decorations_of_Switzerland

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