France help with french medal

[argus]

 Hi , 

  I am new to this forum , so please excuse me if i posted in the wrong section , etc

  I need help with identification of this french medal , if it is made of gold I would like to know what type of gold (14 k ...18 k ...etc)

   -  the weight of the medal is 18.50 grams and it is 27 mm widehttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-18186-0-37143700-1424688265.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-18186-0-36605900-1424688296.jpg

[TacHel]

You're in the right spot.  Welcome to GMIC! 

 

That's an odd variant I've never seen before.  It's a Gold level honour medal for civilian personnel of the French defence ministry working for the air force (Médaille d'honneur des personnels civils du ministère de la défense niveau or pour l'aviation).  Never seen one with laurels, looks really sharp.

 

[TacHel]

Wait a minute...  I just noticed the reverse doesn't say Ministère de la Défense...  Hmmm...  An unrealized prototype of a new model Médaille de l'Aéronautique?

[Bison]

Hi,

 

This medal can be awarded either to civilians working for the Ministry Defense (Air Force) or for Ministry of Transport related to air.

I suspect this one was for a civilian of Ministry of Transport.

 

This one is a third type 1978 - today, but this is a relatively scarce model made by a private maker.

There is one for sale on eBay France: http://www.ebay.fr/itm/111601989988?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

Before 1978, the medals were all the same, with "Aéronautique" on the reverse.

 

Here is a second type 1932 - 1978:

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-2068-0-14271800-1424796001.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-2068-0-03702800-1424796017.jpg

 

Back to the question of argus. It is possible to answer if you can describe or show the gold mark, which could be on the edge.

 

Regards

Bison

[Bison]

I have to correct what I said above.

The model shown by argus is not a private made one but the official for the "gold" rank. It differs from the "gilt" rank with the palms on the observe and it is often found in gold.

 

When in gold the official mark on the edge is : "cornucopia" / the number "3"/ and another "cornucopia" engraved on the edge. "3" stands for gold 750 °/°°;

 

This could answer the question of argus.

 

Regards

Bison

[argus]

 Thanks a lot to everybody trying to answer my questions. Again , thank you for your time.

 

[TacHel]

Bison, if I understand you correctly...

 

This is a Médaille d'honneur de l'Aéronautique niveau or from the Transport Ministry then?

 

Wow, this is the first one I've ever seen!