Share your favorites on Show & Tell

Mysterious WWI Ribbon Bar

In Military and Wartime > World War One > Show & Tell and Military and Wartime > Military Insignia and Pins > Show & Tell.
ttomtucker's loves5942 of 12661Vintage Culver Glassware Mardi Gras Pattern 22K Gold Jester Jewelled Drinking Glasses Vintage Culver Barware Mid Century Barcoca cola coke 12 oz. glass with diamond  design
10
Love it
0
Like it

ttomtuckerttomtucker loves this.
vetraio50vetraio50 loves this.
elanskielanski loves this.
CaperkidCaperkid loves this.
SpiritBearSpiritBear loves this.
racer4fourracer4four loves this.
fortapachefortapache loves this.
blunderbuss2blunderbuss2 loves this.
officialfuelofficialfuel loves this.
kerry10456kerry10456 loves this.
See 8 more
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 8 years ago

    Chrisnp
    (310 items)

    This is a typically constructed WWI ribbon bar for a well decorated veteran. Reading left from right, the veteran would have been Belgian, and has been awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre. The French Croix de Guerre is in second place as a medal awarded by an ally. It has a couple pin holes that likely attached a palm, indicating mention at Army level.

    Now here’s the interesting part – the red ribbon. The most likely identification in my opinion is the French Legion of Honor, but I would think it would be in second place on a Belgian ribbon bar, as it would be the highest foreign decoration. If this is a French ribbon bar, it would certainly hold the first place. The closest thing I can find that’s Belgian is the Order of Leopold – also higher than the Croix de Guerre.

    The last ribbon is for the WWI Victory Medal. As a service ribbon it would be at the end - BUT - flip it over and it could be for an American veteran whose only valor awards were foreign (I would expect a British/Commonwealth Veteran to also have the British War Medal Ribbon that was paired with the victory).

    But wait! There's more! The victory medal ribbon is not a match for the French, Belgian, American or British official ribbons. By agreement the ribbon for all the allied victory medals was to be the same, but there were minor variations in manufacture. Picture 4 shows it laid over a French ribbon. Note the narrower blue lines and lack of blending. The closest match I can find is Italian! Another possibility I am considering is Czech, because France did have a Czech Legion.

    Comments and ideas folks? Other than that I’ve spent way too much time and energy here?

    Unsolved Mystery

    Help us close this case. Add your knowledge below.

    logo
    World War One
    See all
    World War 1 WW1 dog tags with custom stamping
    World War 1 WW1 dog tags with custo...
    $20
    WWI Kerr N0-Buckl Sling for M1903 Springfield
    WWI Kerr N0-Buckl Sling for M1903 S...
    $25
    WWI Style M1910 Scabbard for M1905 Springfield Bayonet (khaki)
    WWI Style M1910 Scabbard for M1905 ...
    $42
    A+ WWI US m1905 Bayonet RIA 1909 for m1903 Springfield or WWII M1 Garand
    A+ WWI US m1905 Bayonet RIA 1909 fo...
    $202
    logo
    World War 1 WW1 dog tags with custom stamping
    World War 1 WW1 dog tags with custo...
    $20
    See all

    Comments

    1. kerry10456 kerry10456, 8 years ago
      Chrisnp, I tend to agree and would assume Czech, with ties to all the different countries. Would be the logical assumption
    2. Caperkid, 8 years ago
      Was wondering if you knew anything on theArtillary shell box i posted 8 days ago.. If you have the time thanks.
    3. Chrisnp Chrisnp, 8 years ago
      Thanks for the love and comment kerry, and I've tried to let you know the little bit about your box Caperkid.

      Thanks for the love elanski, ttomtucker, Caperkid, SpiritBear, nutsabotas6, racer4four, fortapache, blunder, officialfuel and kerry10456
    4. Chrisnp Chrisnp, 8 years ago
      Rob W. over at the Gentleman's Military Interest club pointed out that the red ribbon could also be the Serbian Milosh Obilich medal.

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.