Avitas Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 Hello,Here is my recently acquired Ostmedaille Winterschlacht 1941/42 medal. It has almost all of the original finish and the ribbon is nice as well. This medal was probably handed out to more widows and mothers posthumously than any other medal of WW2, which adds to the eeriness of the hindsight of the medal. Just wondering about the makers of this award, as well as any opinions on its originality, it looks good to me and I got it from a very respectable dealer so I am pretty confident in it. Are there any variations of this medal? or were they all made in the same general time and place?Thanks,Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avitas Posted May 6, 2006 Author Share Posted May 6, 2006 Just love the stahlhelm on the ribbon mounting, very original medal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul R Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 This medal looks to be a nice original! I believe that there were several makers for this medal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 You can never have enough of the Russian front Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 I believe the 'earlier' ones were made of a higher quality metal, and tend to hold their finish better; later ones were made of zinc, and tended to have a finish that bubbled up underneath, and often wore down to a dull grey finish. Purists might know of small differences in different maker strikes (I hear the number of berries on the laurel branch can differ). Check the suspension ring on your yours - does it have a makers mark? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avitas Posted May 7, 2006 Author Share Posted May 7, 2006 There is no marking on the ring as far as I can see, and the ring maintains much of the original finish as well. So I reckon my example would be an earlier example then, as it does keep a good finish. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 I agree - yours shows none of the characteristic bubbling of the finish usually associated with a zinc piece. Nice find.Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph A Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 I group these unscientifically into two-three major types, represented here.1. finely silver-highlighted.2. crummy silver-highlighted, dissipated over time.3. non-highlighted crummy zinckers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph A Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 Here is another, maker-marked "65" for K&Q, of the type identified as: "the 'earlier' ones were made of a higher quality metal, and tend to hold their finish better." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hunter Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 Like Ralph, I enjoy the early ones also. It is a testimony to the quality of the finish when it holds up over time on a zinc medal or badge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Strong Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 (edited) Hitler introduced this medal for the campaign in Russia. It was designed by SS Unterscharfuhrer Ernst Kraus. The period for qualification for this award was from 15.11.41 to 15.4.42 and by order of the OKW consideration for rendering the award ceased on 4.9.44.Those entitled to the award were:* Military personel and civilians, to include female personel who were in the service of the OKW* Beamte Personel* Personnel killed or listed as missing in ation* Foreign volunteers serving in the Wehrmacht provideed that the award was recomended by a Divisional Commander or a more senior officer* Civilians working in factories in the areas The criteria for the award were:* To have been engaged in combat in the theater of operations for 2 weeks* 60 days to have been spent continuously in the combat theater of operations* To have been wounded in the combat zone* for being frostbit (for which a wound badge was also awarded)For luftwaffe personnel the criteria was 30 days over enemy territory.***Information provided by "A COLLECTORS GUIDE TO: WW2 GERMAN MEDALS" by Christopher AilsbyHope this helps Here's mine, it still maintains a good bit of the silver obv Edited May 8, 2006 by Laurence Strong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Strong Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 The rev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev in Deva Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 (edited) Hello,Here is my recently acquired Ostmedaille Winterschlacht 1941/42 medal. It has almost all of the original finish and the ribbon is nice as well. This medal was probably handed out to more widows and mothers posthumously than any other medal of WW2, which adds to the eeriness of the hindsight of the medal. Just wondering about the makers of this award, as well as any opinions on its originality, it looks good to me and I got it from a very respectable dealer so I am pretty confident in it. Are there any variations of this medal? or were they all made in the same general time and place?Thanks,PatHallo Pat, just a quick note, the last variation has to be the 1957 version issued upon application without swastika, will try to locate a picture and post it Kevin in Deva. Edited May 7, 2006 by Kev in Deva Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph A Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 A 57er mounted... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph A Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 Here is a frackette with a mini 57er. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avitas Posted May 11, 2006 Author Share Posted May 11, 2006 You can still see a tiny bit of silver on mine , but it has mostly dissipated (making it the 2nd type with "crummy" silvering, I believe). The dark finish has stayed well though. Nice sets, keep 'em coming! Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avitas Posted June 26, 2006 Author Share Posted June 26, 2006 Hello again,Just got this nice zincer with a bit of bubbling, but nice silvering left on it. It'll go nicely with my early version. Here are some pics.Cheers,Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avitas Posted June 26, 2006 Author Share Posted June 26, 2006 and the reverse with close-up of the bubbled finish, nice condition all round for a late issue.Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul R Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 Awesome medals and grougings!! I hope to see more here soon!Here is the one that I have on a medal bar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary B Posted June 30, 2006 Share Posted June 30, 2006 Dear Paul, Can you post a reverse of thaat medal bar? Gary B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stogieman Posted June 30, 2006 Share Posted June 30, 2006 Lawrence, thanks for posting the award criteria. Ralph, the boxed group is very beautiful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul R Posted June 30, 2006 Share Posted June 30, 2006 No problem, Gary.Here are a couple more shots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul R Posted June 30, 2006 Share Posted June 30, 2006 and... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary B Posted July 1, 2006 Share Posted July 1, 2006 Dear Paul, Nice combo. I PMed you.Gary B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul R Posted July 1, 2006 Share Posted July 1, 2006 Hi Gary,I never received your PM Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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