Albania Medal "Remembrance 1942-1943"

[Bob]

Screwback variation made by MENNICA PANSTWOWA

[Bob]

And the front... after all, it is a very beautiful award!

[Eric Schena]

The MENNICA PANSTWOWA version was produced between roughly 1952 (that's when the Polish State Mint says they started producing decorations) and approximately 1955 when Pr?wema took over the majority of production of Albanian decorations. The first version of this decoration was made by IKOM in 1945 to 1948 and is much more frequently seen than the Polish ones, so this is a rare one. There's an even rarer version that is smaller (roughly 40 mm across) by an unidentified maker that is mentioned in the 1956 statutes, but I have not run across one of those in person (I know someone with one, though, but it is missing a screwplate).

Great stuff, Bob!

Cheers,

Eric

[Gerd Becker]

Here is mine. Sorry for the bad pictures, its much nicer in reality. I have the proper IKOM-screwplate for it.

[Bob]

http://www.emedals.ca/catalog.asp?item=IO180#bigPic

Is it just missing the enamel or a crazy variation?

[Eric Schena]

http://www.emedals.ca/catalog.asp?item=IO180#bigPic

Is it just missing the enamel or a crazy variation?

Hi Bob:

I saw that and in looking at it a little closer, I just think it's an unfinished example (probably a manufacturer's reject based on that huge crack visible from the reverse). It's neat to see because it demonstrates a little of the manufacturing process, but it's definitely not a pattern or unlisted variety. I have seen at least one other unfinished Albanian medal - a Title "Artist of the People", so I guess these do turn up every once in a while.

Cheers,

Eric

[albania]

I came accross this very rare medal, which is made by real silver and with a blue suspension. It is very rare and not included in any catalogs or books. I am researching on the origin and description. The blue suspension is very strange because it matches the color of papper money produced by communist albania in 1945.

[attachmentid=62948]

[Eric Schena]

That is something I have so far only seen in photographs - it's the Medal "Remembrance 1942-1943". It was later replaced in 1945 by the medal that is my avatar, the Medal of Remembrance. Here is a photo of a Lieutenant wearing that medal, alongside a Yugoslav Medal of Bravery and the Medal of Liberation.

Outstanding!

[Bob]

Hi there Elvis,

Interesting!

Are there any markings on the reverse or on the ring (whether text or silvermark)?

I'm afraid odds will be that all we can do is guess about this medal... Albanian awards is still a bit "mysterious" but that makes it even more interesting:)

I like the socialist depiction on the medal

[Bob]

I stand corrected, beyond guessing, we can also refer to Eric

[Eric Schena]

Here's a closeup of the Lieutenant's medals. The photo was taken in 1947, before Tito and Enver had their famous falling out and anything Yugoslav became forbidden.

I have seen a medal award document to a friend of this particular gentleman for this very medal and it seems it was awarded for service as a partisan between July 1942 and July 1943 (which explains the KORRIK 1942-KORRIK 1943 on the medal).

[Bob]

What I don't understand though is why specifically "Remembrance 1942-1943". I've been reading up on wartime Albanian history and - if I had to choose a time period where I'd expect a specific medal, would have expected 43-44 to refer to the crucial winter campaign.

[albania]

What I don't understand though is why specifically "Remembrance 1942-1943". I've been reading up on wartime Albanian history and - if I had to choose a time period where I'd expect a specific medal, would have expected 43-44 to refer to the crucial winter campaign.

july 1943 is related to one main event and probably that is the reason. on 10th of july 1943 it was created General Staff of National Liberation Army, meaning the formation of a structured and organized armed force. in order not to leave out those that fought from july 1942 when real organised resistance started they made this medal.

regarding medal of rememberance I have a meeting with one veteran who has one of the later types of medal and listen to his story he had a lot of other medals.

[Bob]

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=13177

To link this all into 1 thread.

Our forum's Albanian friend has informed me that there are so few of these because, similar to what one sometimes sees in other countries, it had to be replaced by a new one. Fortunately some people were stubborn and didn't do that

[Belaruski]

Here's mine. Another Ikom.

The screwpost is very long, and the owner had made a sort of felt 'pad' for it. I have seen this done occasionaly on early Soviet badges too.

[Eric Schena]

Bob:

That is a stupendous medal you have there. Is it silver or is it nickel? I have been tracing that down for over a year now ever since I got those photos from the 1940's. That medal is on my very short list of decorations to get - I hope i can land one someday.

Cheers,

Eric

[Bob]

Bob:

That is a stupendous medal you have there. Is it silver or is it nickel? I have been tracing that down for over a year now ever since I got those photos from the 1940's. That medal is on my very short list of decorations to get - I hope i can land one someday.

Cheers,

Eric

To be honest, how do I tell apart silver from nickel?

Assuming silver is heavier, I'd say it isn't silver. I am very impressed by the level of detail of this medal... certainly not your typical crude Albanian stuff.

I think what you are seeing in Albania is a bit like in some other places, the bank vaults opening up. Will post a gold partisan star (real gold that is, made in USSR!). I've been "hinted at" that soon some Laureat of Albania awards will be coming available as well...

Let us wait and see

[Elmar Lang]

Hello,

I would like to post the example of this medal, part of my little Albanian collection. I think it's a medal rather uncommon to see. It is a carefully struck piece (if compared to other Albanian medals of later manufacture). Due to its quality and finish, I agree with the opinion of Eric, that these pieces were made in the USSR.

Best wishes,

Enzo

Edited January 17, 2008 by Elmar Lang

[Elmar Lang]

...and the reverse:

[Eric Schena]

Hi Enzo:

That is a beauty. That medal has so far eluded me in my hunting and is on my short list of medals I would like to add to my collection. It's funny, I have pictures of the medal in wear (probably rarer than the actual medal) yet I have never so much as seen one in person.

Thanks for showing the reverse, too!

Ciao!

Eric

[Elmar Lang]

You're welcome, Eric! I am sure too, that a picture of a wearer is much rarer than the medal itself...

If the picture of the reverse would be useful for your "3rd edition", feel free to use it, of course.

Best wishes,

Enzo

[Bob]

can anybody integrate the 2 threads on same award?

[Eric Schena]

can anybody integrate the 2 threads on same award?

Done...and done. Also merged the first post on the 1942-1943 medal (the thread with my photos of one in wear). Makes sense to have all of these in one place.

Edited January 18, 2008 by Eric Schena

[albania]

Hi Enzo:

That is a beauty. That medal has so far eluded me in my hunting and is on my short list of medals I would like to add to my collection. It's funny, I have pictures of the medal in wear (probably rarer than the actual medal) yet I have never so much as seen one in person.

Thanks for showing the reverse, too!

Ciao!

Eric

this medal is very similar to the one they had in yugoslavia in the same period. this is the period of strong ties between enver and tito. when he broke relations with yugoslavians he felt the need to replace the medal (maybe not him but often we identify the regime with the person of enver hoxha)

[Eric Schena]

After a very long search, I finally found an example of the Medal "Remembrance 1942-1943" (this is one of my very few items on my Albanian want list (a numbered Skanderbeg is on that list...PM me if you have one ya want to let go ). Once it arrives, I'll post it here. Let's just say, I am VERY excited after having only photos of it...