France My French medal pick ups

[Noor]

Hi,

I got few French medals and because I don't know much about this country awards, can someone please advise, post more information about them.

Lets start with the Combatant’s Cross (Croix du Combattant)

I think thats the award, what I know and there is lots of material about it on the internet to read...

[Noor]

Medal for the Italian Campaign (Médaille de la Campagne d’Italie) 1859

modern ribbon sadly

[Noor]

Military Medal (Médaille Militaire), 3rd Republic (???)

Nice and heavy award, made from Silver!

[Noor]

Medal of the French Society for the Aid of Wounded Military (Médaille de la Société Française de Secours aux Blessés Militaires)

Is this award from Franco-Prussian war period one? I like a lot old original ribbon on it!

[pinpon590]

Military Medal (Médaille Militaire), 3rd Republic (???)

Nice and heavy award, made from Silver!

Yes, 3rd Republic !

[Veteran]

Medal of the French Society for the Aid of Wounded Military (Médaille de la Société Française de Secours aux Blessés Militaires)

Is this award from Franco-Prussian war period one? I like a lot old original ribbon on it!

Up until 1940, the French Red Cross was a federation of half a dozen independant associations, some of which were established shortly before the 1870-71 franco-prussian war.

This particular insignia was the membership-badge worn by the lady-members of an Association called Société de Secours aux Blessés militaires (S.S.B.M.). The revere shows the rectangular area meant to be engraved with the membership-number of its owner. It was in use between the late 1870s until 1940.

They are quite nice and a number of collectors like to pich them up, although they are not properly speaking awards.

This same SSBM had issued a Cross known as the Geneva Cross for services during the 1870-71 conflict.

Best regards

Veteran

[Noor]

My new French medal. I think I paid too much for that but hopfully clasp adds some value on it as well. How common this "vlounteers" clasp can be?

Medal for the Franco-Prussian War (Médaille de 1870-1871)

[Tim B]

Medal for the Italian Campaign (Médaille de la Campagne d'Italie) 1859

modern ribbon sadly

Hi Timo,

Maybe not modern, but an incorrect ribbon all the same; more than likely a ribbon for the WW1 French Commemorative Medal. The correct ribbon should have seven red stripes vice five.

Tim

[Noor]

Now, here is another Italian campaign medal. Just to be sure - ribbon is incorrect?

[Veteran]

Now, here is another Italian campaign medal. Just to be sure - ribbon is incorrect?

Noor

Your medal's ribbon is absolutly correct, ans quite possibly period.

The Italian campaign medals shown earlier have a different ribbon, in fact the 1943-45 Italian campaign ribbon. Those are mistaken.

Best regards

Veteran

[Noor]

Hi Veteran,

Thank you very much for your replay!

One more question, if you guys don't mind, does Madagascar Medal 1895 should be only with the clasp or was it awarded as mine is - without?

Maker O.Roty / rim ARGENT

What would be current market value of these?

[Veteran]

Hi Veteran,

Thank you very much for your replay!

One more question, if you guys don't mind, does Madagascar Medal 1895 should be only with the clasp or was it awarded as mine is - without?

Maker O.Roty / rim ARGENT

What would be current market value of these?

You have a nice period stricking here. Yes, the clasp should be on the ribbon, as it was one of the differeces with the first Madagascar campaign medal the ribbon of which was the same; an other difference was naturally the effegy of the Republic on the obverse.

Hope this helps

Veteran

[Noor]

Thanks for your prompt replay!

Any idea from where I can pick up that clasp only or there isn't much hope?

Regards,

Timo

[Veteran]

Thanks for your prompt replay!

Any idea from where I can pick up that clasp only or there isn't much hope?

Regards,

Timo

There is always hope ! The answer here would be hope + patient research. I certainly could not tell you where you are sure to find one immediatly ! French Ebay might prove useful over the years. Everything seems to turn up there one day or the other.

Good luck.

Veteran

[Noor]

One of my favorite:

[Veteran]

One of my favorite:

A very nice Chevalier badge of the Legion of honor, Napoleon III (1852-1870) period. Probably one of the nicer looking types of the order.

It shows normal signs of wear.

A good straightforward item in your collection. Not scarce, but certainly worth having.

Veteran

[TacHel]

Beauty! :jumping:

[Michael Johnson]

Yes, 3rd Republic !

And so used through the First World War. Those who were "Mort pour la France" (an offical designation in France) were entitled to the Medaille Militaire and Croix de Guerre. Often these were framed together with the memorial scroll. Sometimes I have seen the Croix de Combattant in as well, though how someone could apply for one when they were dead is a puzzler.

Edited February 17, 2011 by Michael Johnson

[Veteran]

And so used through the First World War. Those who were "Mort pour la France" (an offical designation in France) were entitled to the Medaille Militaire and Croix de Guerre. Often these were framed together with the memorial scroll. Sometimes I have seen the Croix de Combattant in as well, though how someone could apply for one when they were dead is a puzzler.

You are quite right. The Combattant Cross was created quite a few years after the end of the war.

When you find them with the posthumeous awards of Legion d'honneur/Médaille militaire + Croix de guerre, the crosses have simply been added by the family : had these men lived, they would have automatically been intitled to wear them.

Veteran

[Noor]

My todays French find in local fair

clasp on the back

[Michael Johnson]

You are quite right. The Combattant Cross was created quite a few years after the end of the war.

When you find them with the posthumeous awards of Legion d'honneur/Médaille militaire + Croix de guerre, the crosses have simply been added by the family : had these men lived, they would have automatically been intitled to wear them.

Veteran

More important were the privileges connected with the carte de combattant. As I understand it, you couldn't wear the medal unless you had the card.

[Veteran]

More important were the privileges connected with the carte de combattant. As I understand it, you couldn't wear the medal unless you had the card.

Your are right. In fact, the cross is one of the priviledges attached to the "Carte du Combattant" which intitles its owner to a very symbolic pension (it still does : I get a little less than 600 Euro/approx.800$ a year as a WW2 veteran)

The "Carte du combattant" is a Government issue. One has to apply and prove he belonged for a long enough period to a combat unit, or have taken part in a certain number (3 I believe) of major battles. Men wounded in action receive it without other justification.

Incidentally, the cross has to be bought (a few Euro) by the wearer.

All the best

Veteran

[Noor]

Here are some close ups of the colonial medal.

First the medal obverse

medal rim (I can't figure out whats there)

and marking on the clasp

[Michael Johnson]

Incidentally, the cross has to be bought (a few Euro) by the wearer.

But that isn't unusual in France. I have the award certificate for the Orient Medal awarded to a cheminot (later shot by the Germans). It clearly states that the recipient has to purchase his own medal.

[Noor]

And also I got yestereday 3rd Republic LOH. Pretty nice piece, enamel is almost in prefect condition - in few places can complain about the paint. There was as well few with the boxes (3rd republic) and also two pure gold ones (one with the rosette) but I run low of cash at this time... very adempted of course...