South African Victory Medals

[JPL]

Since I have a number of South African Victory Medals in my collection, can anyone tell me the difference between the Official Type 1 and Type 2. Any information on the 2 Repro Types would also be appreciated. Pictures/images also welcomed. Thanks in advance.

Jean-Paul

Edited February 13, 2013 by IrishGunner

[RobW]

In answer to Jean Paul's inquiry here are the South African Official type 1 and type 2 from my collection.

Official type 1 on the left with type 2 on the right. Both are unnamed as issued.

The differences are:

General; the official type 1 has a much more pronounced and noticeable plinth on which the barrel suspender is attached. This is much less noticeable or prominent on the type 2. While I haven't been able to confirm it, it does appear that they are made from different base metals. It looks like the type 2 was a slightly heavier strike resulting in more pronounced detail.

Obverse; minor variations in victory herself showing in the detail of the face, the top garment, the internal wing leaf detail, the flowing robes, and where the robes finish at the base of the medal, with minor differences in the base platform. The major difference is the lack of the designers initials 'W.McM' on the obverse.

Reverses to follow.

Regards,

Rob

Edited July 15, 2009 by RobW

[RobW]

Reverses as indicated.

Reverse; minor variations in the positioning of the circular wreath in relation to the rim edge of the medal, minor differences in the position, spread and spacing of the bilingual inscriptions, this being noticeable where it abuts the internal circular wreath, and a smaller gap where the delineating dots separate the two languages.

Overall the differences are of a minor nature. Blink and you'll miss them but they are there nonetheless.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Rob

Edited July 15, 2009 by RobW

[JPL]

Hi RobW,

Thank you for the information and the excellent images. I was not aware that there were 2 types. I've had a look at the 7 South African Victory medals that I have in my collection and all of them are Type 1. So, is it safe to assume that the Type 2 medals are not as plentiful as the Type 1 medals?

I noticed that you state that "both are unnamed as issued". All of my medals are named.

Jean-Paul

Edited February 13, 2013 by IrishGunner

[RobW]

Hello Jean Paul,

I obtained both specimens via the Royal Mint at Pretoria, South Africa. As far as I can recall they were minted at the Woolwich Arsenal in England and then shipped to the Mint at Pretoria, for subsequent naming in location, and distribution to the recipients. I obtained the pieces from stock that were left over and hadn't been issued; hence they are unnamed. In recent times there has also been a number of unnamed 1914-15 Stars and British War medals floating around the market that are left of these unissued, unnamed stocks.

You are indeed correct that the type 2 are less plentiful than the type 1. While I don't have an accurate figure on type differences I have seen less than 5 type 2's South Africans amongst a sea of type 1's.

Glad the pictures were of use.

Regards,

Rob

Edited July 15, 2009 by RobW

[Rayjin]

Hi everyone

Just arrived this morning - South African Victory Type 1 to Cpl A.C. Turton 4th South African Horse

1st of many

[RobW]

Hi everyone

Just arrived this morning - South African Victory Type 1 to Cpl A.C. Turton 4th South African Horse

1st of many

Hello Rayjin,

Welcome to the thread. It is a good spot to share and enjoy the spread of information.

Regards,

Rob

[Herman]

My South African Victory medal.

It is a type 1 and named.The rim reads: PNR. S.T. COGHLAN S.A.P.B.

[trakkles]

Hello,

I need your help,

I have bought this medal on a market,

I believe it is the south africa typ of the horse transport corps?, but I can´t identify the rank of this men.

regars daniel

[Rayjin]

Hello,

I need your help,

I have bought this medal on a market,

I believe it is the south africa typ of the horse transport corps?, but I can´t identify the rank of this men.

regars daniel

Driver E Groep Cape Auxilliary Horse Transport Corp

The Cape Auxiliary Horse Transport Corps was formed in 1916 and consisted of eight companies numbering 6,214 ‘Coloured’ (mixed race) men who served as drivers with the Army Service Corps in Northern France.

Hope this helps

Rogan

Edited July 3, 2011 by Rayjin

[trakkles]

thanks, yes this helps. *gg*

regards daniel

[lambert]

My South African Vic.

Lambert

[Pagan]

I kinda like the dual language on this medal

[RobW]

Hello Pagan,

Yes; I would agree. The revese lettering of the South African vic is such an eye catching design. The campaigns in Africa during the Great War are often under-reported and under-appreciated due to the focus being given to actions that occurred in the France theatre.

A nice example.

Regards,

Rob

[Bilco]

Hi Gents,

Another find from fossicking amongst the web - on a South African auction site:-

A rather odd-looking suspension, and the ring looks thicker and smaller than usual. I don't think it's a miniature, judging by the ribbon, and it's not called such on the site. Is it a recent issue by the SA authorities, or possibly someone has replaced the original suspension?

Bill

[paul wood]

Given the wear to the medal almost certainly a replacement suspension. As a collector of medals to Indians I surprisingly own a WWI pair with bilingual victory to a bearer Pappa of the Indian Bearer Corps (poor devil spent most of his time in the sick bay).

Paul

[peron]

Here is mine (Type 1)

[lambert]

Hi Peron

Great!! To whom she is named?

Parabéns! ótimo exemplar, para quem esta nomeada ?

Lambert

[peron]

Hi Peron

Great!! To whom she is named?

Parabéns! ótimo exemplar, para quem esta nomeada ?

Lambert

Sorry...Desculpem!!!!Forgot to put that information...

awarded to Kondr dr. J.L. Pretorious, Z.A.D.K. (Zuid Afrikaansche Dieu Korps)...

Edited November 29, 2012 by peron

[lambert]

Hi Peron

I possibly know anything about this soldier, just search records in South Africa.

I'll try to find something ..

Lambert

Edited December 3, 2012 by lambert

[peron]

Hi Peron

I possibly know anything about this soldier, just search records in South Africa.

I'll try to find something ..

Lambert

Great...thanks!!!!Obrigado pela sua ajuda...gostaria de saber efectivamente quem seria este soldado...

Um abraço

P.

[IrishGunner]

This includes more than just Victory Medals (and goes a bit off topic into WW2 SA medals); however, provides some interesting information that may be of interest to South Africa Vic Medals.

http://gmic.co.uk/in...african-medals/

[David B 1812]

Just a small correction to the above - from my "Dictionary of Military Terms, Definitions and Abbreviations"

Z.A.D.K. (Zuid Afrikaansche Dieu Korps)... this is INCORRECT............

the CORRECT abbreviation is:

ZADK = Zuid Afrikaanse Diens Korps (S.A. Service Corps) 1914 – 1918, on a bilingual Victory Medal.

All the best

[Paul Evenden]

Thought I had put this up earlier  but here it is now my Bi Lingual S.A medal to 144 L/Cpl T.M.Riley 2nd S.A Rifles

 

[Paul Evenden]

would upload pics of the faces of the medal but wont let me as saying over 2mb when each one is 1.5mb ? !!! Anyone know how to make them smaller in size ?

 

Paul