Belgium Political Prisonner's Cross 39-45

[TacHel]

This might sound like a stupid question but...

Is the center medallion suppose to turn freely?

[Gldank]

I have one that turns in the center too!

Edited August 16, 2012 by Gldank

[Gldank]

No, but I have one that does too. It is just the way it was constructed. Some come lose in the center.

[TacHel]

Thanks... I might slip in a small drop of lock-tite on it. With my luck it'll turn after I seal my frame...

[Gldank]

I have a cross in my collection that is missing the back center. The front was glued back on the cross at one time. I keep it for the stars on the ribbon front. Notice the bronze ring in the center. Interesting.

[TacHel]

I thought the stars were on bars... No?

[Gldank]

What ever the Vet had at the time. That is why I kept this sample. Something different.

[TacHel]

I'll be honest, looks great with the stars!

[Gldank]

How about a ceramic plate to commemorate the cross?

[Gldank]

Closer

[TacHel]

Very sweet related artefacts! :cheers:

[Gldank]

I just found this one today in my collection and wanted to share.

[Gldank]

I just found this in my collection and wanted to share. Bronze 3.50 cm

[Gldank]

Cased

[Jef]

And a related commemoration pennant.

kind regards,

Jef

[Gldank]

Very Nice Pennant!

[TacHel]

Sweet stuff! Have you considered a montage of the various articles? It would make for a very interesting display.

[belgoman]

Hello gentlemen, allow me to give a few facts :

a) cross was created 13 November 1947

b) each star = 6 months imprisonment

c) the stars are, according to the Decree, "fixed on a silvered horizontal bar". But some vets preferred to fix the stars directly on the ribbon.

Just a matter of price as the stars where cheaper than the bars

d) the centre medallions are not supposed to swirl or turn. Usually they are fixed with sealing wax (red or black) put into the centre space between the arms of the cross... and to help the medallion to stay into position, a small loop (or 2 small bars) is fixed at the back of the medallion and pressed into the hot wax. Once the wax is cold, the loop (or bars) is cached and the medallion fixed into position. But sometimes the manufacturer used not enough wax or it crimped...and the medallions begin to turn.

d) has the crosses are made by different manufacturers, at least 4 varieties are known with small detail differences.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Belgoman

[TacHel]

Thanks for the great info! :cheers:

[Belaruski]

That's a great medal, never seen one before, and I may have to look out for one now!

[speedytop]

Hi,

"fixed on a silvered horizontal bar"

Uwe

[Gldank]

On the bar...

[Jef]

And a not finished medal, a mini and a pin

kind regards,

Jef

[TacHel]

Could someone please explain to me the star-bar system? Why multiple bars?

[Jef]

Hello Frank,

Hendriks website will give you a cristal clear answer: http://users.skynet.be/hendrik/

go to WWII, you will find the medal.

kind regards,

Jef