South African Navy Cross (CN)

[censlenov]

Can anyone tell me a little about this award all i've been able to find online is that it existed from 1991-2003 but i have no idea what an authentic one should look like. Are they supposed to be numbered? How many were issued and are citations available? On a whim i ordered one as i thought it was a steal of a deal and if it turns out to be duff i can send it back.

Cheers

Chris

[Megan]

The Crux Navalis (post-nominal CN) was awarded to naval personnel for exceptional courage, leadership, or skill in difficult circumstances.

Some people give the dates 1987-2003 for its existance, but Arthur Radburn's site - http://hwmw.bravehost.com/index.htm - suggests a later institution of 1991, with the post-nominals being authorised in 1993.

Never found a picture of one, though :(

[Arthur R]

Some people give the dates 1987-2003 for its existance, but Arthur Radburn's site - http://hwmw.bravehost.com/index.htm - suggests a later institution of 1991, with the post-nominals being authorised in 1993.

The date of institution is a bit fuzzy. The four service crosses (Army, Air Force, Navy, Mecical Service) formed part of an expansion of the military awards system that began in 1987, but for some reason, the warrants instituting them were not published in the Government Gazette. A later warrant, issued in 1993 to amend the criteria for award and authorise the post-nominal letters, was however gazetted, and it states that "whereas the Navy Cross has been instituted by virtue of a warrant dated at 11th day of April 1991", so I've taken that as the date.

The crosses are supposed to be numbered. I don't know how many were awarded, but I doubt it was very many.

There are photos of present and past SA military medals on the SA Army website :

http://www.army.mil....medals/sadf.htm

Photos can also be found on http://www.bidorbuy....taria_3701.html

[Mervyn Mitton]

I think it must be the rarest of the issues. I have never had one in the shop - and to be honest, I don't think I've actually seen one - apart from on uniform photographs.

[censlenov]

Gentlemen

If i could get you to view the following link this is the medal that i purchased.

http://www.medalsofw...stpage=whatsnew

I bought it not really as a collector of South African items but because i though that they seldom come on the market. I can never pass up a good buy.

Cheers

Chris

Edited February 4, 2011 by censlenov

[Mervyn Mitton]

Chris - I would say a bargain. Personally, I would feel it would be genuine - would cost more to make a replica. Well done - we'll all want to buy it from you ....

[censlenov]

These are some picture of the cross. I'm sorry for the poor quality and will take better pics soon.

Cheers

Chris