Czechoslovakia Czechoslovak ODM

[bilylev]

Hi,

unfortunately there is no book on Czechoslovak ODM available. It is a pity, because they are nice and well made. To improve their immage among collectors I will show some of them.

Let´s start with one of oldest awards called Czechoslovak Revolutionary Medal (Československá revoluční medaile), which was established by Presidential Decree dated 1st December 1918. Medal is made from bronze, the author of design was famous French sculptor Antoine Bourdelle. First pieces were produced in France, following restrikes in Czechoslovakia by different producers. The width is 41-44 mm, the hight 47 mm. The width of ribbon is 38-41 mm. Several variants exist, dark bronze, light bronze, gilt, holow construction, with(without) designer´s initials etc. Several metal bars can be placed on the ribbon, numbers of regiments, places of service and battles, linden leafs or twigs. Veterans often did not follow rules and gave incorrect symbols on their medals. This medal is quite common, fakes dont exist .

Jan

Edited February 9, 2014 by bilylev

[bilylev]

Another example of metal bars on the ribbon. Fakes of some rare bars(names of battles) exist .

Edited February 10, 2014 by bilylev

[bilylev]

First pieces of Order of Falcon(Řád Sokola) were produced in October 1918 in Tokio. Later restrikes in Czechoslovakia. The order was intended in five clases, but only last class was made with swords for combatants and without swords for non combatants and was additionaly approved by Low No. 243 of 10th April 1920.

[Dave Danner]

Hi Jan,

Nice examples, especially with the devices.

There is at least one book, but it is only a small paperback, and it is mainly a price guide, but at least it has pictures. I do not know where it might be available.

Československá vyznamenání 1918-1948, by Ludvík Sukeník and Vlastislav Novotný, published in 1997.

Here are the cover and two sample pages:

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-432-0-07530600-1392068768.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-432-0-95485500-1392068775.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-432-0-71140100-1392068784.jpg

Regards,

Dave

[bilylev]

Hi Dave,

of course something is better than nothing. This little book contains pictures but no informations. When it was published I bought 50 pieces and was sending them free of charge to my friends abroad to improve the immage of Czechoslovak ODM .

Jan

[bilylev]

War Cross (Československý válečný kříž) was established by a decree of the Provisional Government dated 17th November 1918. First pieces were produced in Paris, later restrikes in Czechoslovakia. Little variants exist. Ribbons can bear linden leafs and twigs or sliver and bronze stars. Fakes dont exist .

[IrishGunner]

I need to get Czechoslovak Revolutionary Medal with battle bars and a War Cross with linden leaves. My current examples have nothing on the ribbons. I really like the ribbon devices.

[bilylev]

First Czechoslovak award was the Medal of Jan Žižka of Trocnov (Medaile Jana Žižky z Trocnova) , established by Czechoslovak Legion in Siberia on 21st October 1918. The medal had 3 classes, 1st with two little metal stars on the ribbon, 2nd with one star and 3rd without star. First class was never awarded, 2nd class was awarded 12 times and 3rd class 10 times. Same small quantity remained not awarded. This medal, which was hand made is extremly rare, good fakes exist .

[bilylev]

Commemorative Medal of Zborov (Zborovská pamětní medaile) was established by Government Resolution dated 13th May 1947 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of battle of Zborov. No fakes exist .

[bilylev]

Commemorative Medal of Bachmac (Bachmačská pamětní medaile) was established by Government Resolution dated 5th March 1948 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of battle of Bachmac. No fakes exist .

[bilylev]

There are no fakes of Revolution Medal and War Cross on the market but unfortunately plenty of fakes of metal devices exist. If you are interested to have originals you have to buy full medals from reputable traders.

[bilylev]

Commemorative Medal of the Association of the former Czechoslovak militia from Italy, 1938 edition (Pamětní odznak svazu příslušníků bývalé československé domobrany z Itálie, 1938) was established 1938. No fakes exist .

[bilylev]

The same medal but 1945 edition. Note differences on obverse and reverse. No fakes exist .

[bilylev]

Czechoslovak War Cross 1939 (Československý válečný kříž 1939) was established by government (exile) resolution of 20th December 1940. First pieces were produced in Britain by Spink during a war, later restrikes in Czechoslovakia. Cross could be awarded only once in natura, additional awards were marked by bronze linden leafs on the ribbon. No fakes exist .

Edited February 16, 2014 by bilylev

[bilylev]

Czechoslovak Medal for gallantry against the enemy (Československá medaile za chrabrost před nepřítelem) was established by a Government(exile) Regulation dated 20th December 1940. First pieces were made in Britain by Spink, later restrikes in Czechoslovakia. Only one medal could be awarded in natura. Further award to the same person was marked by a bronze linden twig on the ribbon. No fakes exist .

[IrishGunner]

#15 is an attractive medal. Any idea how many were awarded by the Exile Govt?

[bilylev]

Unfortunately I have no idea .

[bilylev]

Czechoslovak Military Medal of Merit(Československá vojenská medaile za zásluhy) established by a Government(exile) Regulation dated 20th April 1943 in two classes, silver and bronze. The medal could be awarded only once, either first or second class. First pieces were produced from silver by Spink, diameter 31,5 mm, thickness 2,8 mm, weight 26g. Later restrikes were made in Czechoslovakia, diameter 31,9 mm, thickness 2 mm, silvered. No fakes exist .

[bilylev]

Second class medal produced by Spink has diameter 32 mm, thickness 2 mm, Prague emission diameter 31 mm. No fakes exist .

[bilylev]

Czechoslovak Military Order of the White Lion for Victory (Československý vojenský řád bílého lva Za vítězství) was established by Governement (exile) Regulation of 9th February 1945 in five classes, Star 1st class, Star 2nd class, Cross, Golden medal and Silver medal. All classes are made from silver, higher classes gilt. First pieces were produced by Spink, who made also the design, later restrike by Karnet a Kysely Prague.

Fakes of Star 1st class dont exist .

[bilylev]

Star 2nd class. No fakes exist .

[bilylev]

Cross. No fakes exist .

[bilylev]

Golden medal. Good quality fakes exist .

[bilylev]

Silver medal. Good quality fakes exist .

[bilylev]

Czechoslovak Commander´s Order of Jan Zizka of Trocnov (Československý velitelský řád Jana Žižky z Trocnova) was established by Government Resolution No. 152/1946 dated 14th June 1946 in 3 classes: Star 1st Class, Star 2nd Class and Siver medal. All classe are extremly rare. No fakes exist . Here is star 1st class.