France Rarely-Seen Neck Order

[PKeating]

Here we have the Bronze and Gold grades of the Croix des Service Militaires Volontaires, extant from 1934 to 1957. These are interesting because they came with a group whose papers were lost, as is so often the case, but the little cardboard boxes have the recipient's name and rank noted on them, so there is a lead to follow.

Pictured with them is the rarely-seen Commander grade of the Ordre du M?rite Militaire, extant from 1957 to 1963. Made of silver-gilt with blue enamel, this neck piece is by the Paris maker Arthus-Bertrand. The lower two grades were made in silver. Note how the design of the old Croix des Services Militaires Volontaires has been taken over.

PK

[Roeland]

hello,

a very lovely lot, looks very nice.

It's always nice to have the name of a recipient.

any idea about his career?

kind regards,

Roeland

[Paul R]

That is a beautiful looking order. Do you know the number of these awarded thus far? What were they awarded for?

[Chris Boonzaier]

I still am not 100% sure what they were for

[Hendrik]

Hello Gents,

Basically, the order is a reward to officers and NCO's of the reserve forces for voluntary and meritorious services in the field of training and formation of reserve units of the armed forces.

Cheers,

Hendrik

[Scott Powell]

Thank You for posting these Prosper, they are beautiful orders

[Paul R]

Hello Gents,

Basically, the order is a reward to officers and NCO's of the reserve forces for voluntary and meritorious services in the field of training and formation of reserve units of the armed forces.

Cheers,

Hendrik

Thanks for the information Hendrik. This is the first instance where a Reserve medal was more attractive those of the Active components.

[Bison]

Yes Paul,

As we use to say in French: "it does not catch a fly with vinegar"...

And this beautiful order does not exist anymore. It has been replaced (with a series of others, especially the colonial orders) in 1963 by the Ordre National du M?rite.

Edited October 16, 2008 by Bison

[PKeating]

My thanks, also, for explaining exactly what these decorations were for.

PK

[Veteran]

In addition to the information previously given by Hendrick and by Bison, the commander level of the Order of Military merit required at least 20 years regular and excellent attendance as a member of the Reserve Forces. Only a small number were awarded each year, possibly 50. Since its lifetime was seven years only, this would mean 350 awards, approximately. Recipients' names and ranks were published in the Journal Officiel and later the Bulletin officiel des d?corations, m?dailles et r?compenses, the official State newspapers, very much like the London Gazette in the U.K.

But you have to remember thet these badges were available from the Mint and from a small number of private manufacturers. When the Order of Military Merit was discontinued in 1963, an unknown amount of these badges were still in stock, and were gradually sold either to reserve officers who needed a replacement or to collectors.

This being said, they are quite scarce and very popular with French collectors.

The present equivalent to the Commander's cross is the Gold level of the Medaille des Services militaires volontaires, which is not worn around the neck.

Regards

Pau

Edited October 17, 2008 by Veteran

[Bison]

Here is a knight of the M?rite Militaire, to be compared with the cross of Services Militaires Volontaires, shown above.

For comparison.

[Bison]

[nesredep]

Here we have the Bronze and Gold grades of the Croix des Service Militaires Volontaires, extant from 1934 to 1957. These are interesting because they came with a group whose papers were lost, as is so often the case, but the little cardboard boxes have the recipient's name and rank noted on them, so there is a lead to follow.

Pictured with them is the rarely-seen Commander grade of the Ordre du M?rite Militaire, extant from 1957 to 1963. Made of silver-gilt with blue enamel, this neck piece is by the Paris maker Arthus-Bertrand. The lower two grades were made in silver. Note how the design of the old Croix des Services Militaires Volontaires has been taken over.

PK

Hello!

Very lovely badges.Thanks for showing. :jumping:

All the best

Nesredep

[PKeating]

Thank you, Bison. So that is what the lower two grades of my neck order look like. Je suppose que je pourrais aller chez Arthus Bertrand ou m?me Marie Stuart pour en acheter mais j'aimerais mieux attendre jusque je rencontre un exemplaire faisant partie d'un groupement.

It is better-looking than the Croix des Service Militaires Volontaires although the overall designs are very similar.

PK