Bulgaria Bulgaria - Commemorative Medal 1915-1918 War

[IrishGunner]

We see this little Bulgarian WWI commemorative a lot in different threads, but I thought it needed its own topic...

Can anyone give the Bulgarian language name of the medal (Google was no help)?

And does this one look too "new" to anyone else?

[Theodor]

Медал за участие в Европейската война /Medal for participation in the European War/. In the award document it is mentioned as "...the commemorative medal..."

[IrishGunner]

Thanks, Theodor!

[Ulsterman]

Theodor is the man when it comes to Bulgarian medals. I do not think these have been faked. About200,000 were given to Germans and one still sees them in packets.

[bilylev]

Hello,

this medal was awarded also to people who did not participate directly in war activities. In this case the ribbon has central white strip. Medals for next of kin have central black strip. Medals were produced in Germany (thickness 2,8mm) and Swizerland (thickness 3,6mm). Some small quantity was produced localy by co Berge Kerestedzhiev, Sofia.

Jan

[bilylev]

Here are the pictures.

[bilylev]

And the diploma. Note No. 15219 dated 1939. It means that majority of medals was awarded during WW2.

[bilylev]

As interest a diploma of Commemorative Medal 1912-1913 War for the same man, dated the same day.

[IrishGunner]

Nice diplomas! Thanks for sharing.

And now I'll have to measure my medal's thickness...

Edited to add: Just under 3mm ... So, a Germany 2.8mm version.

Edited January 3, 2014 by IrishGunner

[new world]

And the diploma. Note No. 15219 dated 1939. It means that majority of medals was awarded during WW2.

Corect, this medal was awarded for much of the war years. I recall having awarding document dated 1943.

Edited January 3, 2014 by new world

[IrishGunner]

Okay, I've finished posting many of my already cataloged medals and am now starting to open up boxes long forgotten about... And I found this one. I bought it a few months ago in a lot with a couple WWI Italian medals, one of which is for the Italian 45. Division - the reason I bought the lot in the first place. When they came in the mail, I just tossed them all into a box to be cataloged later. I didn't even pay much attention to this Bulgarian Commemorative Medal 1915-1918 War.

The medal is about 3mm thick and full size, so probably a German produced version; but the ribbon looks like its for a mini medal and obviously not original. Curious.

Edited January 4, 2014 by IrishGunner

[bilylev]

It was quite normal that foreigners who received medals on the triangular ribbon changed it to be able to wear the medal together with other medals they had. Sometimes they could not get the matching ribbon so they could use another one, not quite appropriate.

[paja]

Civilian version found inside an old house in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Medal was within the original bag, probably never worn.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-7937-0-73278000-1393438616.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-7937-0-51629400-1393438634.jpg

Edited February 26, 2014 by paja

[paja]

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-7937-0-47924500-1393438727.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-7937-0-74328600-1393438763.jpg

[Materia]

I happen to have all three ribbon versions of this medal, in three medal versions as well.

Ordinary for combatants.

With one white stripe in the middle for non combatants.

With one black stripe in the middle for the deceased, however that sounds.

1. Smaller with differences at the front, and on the rear side.

2. Smaller, etc.

3. Bigger.

Does anyone have any idea, how many versions of the medal were there in total, both smaller and bigger? Ribbons happen to be different as well.

I would like to have more, but I can not find them in a satisfying condition .

[Bratovanov.T]

On 22/08/2017 at 00:00, Materia said:

I happen to have all three ribbon versions of this medal, in three medal versions as well.

Ordinary for combatants.

With one white stripe in the middle for non combatants.

With one black stripe in the middle for the deceased, however that sounds.

1. Smaller with differences at the front, and on the rear side.

2. Smaller, etc.

3. Bigger.

Does anyone have any idea, how many versions of the medal were there in total, both smaller and bigger? Ribbons happen to be different as well.

I would like to have more, but I can not find them in a satisfying condition .

Could you please tell me how many medals with white stripe and black stripe were given for the 1912-1913 emission and the 1915 1918 emission?