25 Yr Long Service - L/58

[Mike H]

Gentlemen,

I would appreciate your help on this one ...

The ring is marked L/58. Is this a problem? I have been informed this may be a reproduction (Souval). Did they not make these awards during the TR period?

Also, the 40 year device is, as I have been informed, not the "accepted" type and may be a 57'er.

Any input welcome. These are the only images I have.

My best,

Mike

[bytown]

When I saw this medal on estand I had a cast about looking for makers marks on this medal.

Supposedly the only 2 that are proven to date are L/13 & L/15.

This from a website I ran across so I cannot vouch for it's accuracy.

I know the 2 I have are not marked.

I would guess if they stopped awarding these during 1940 LDO makers would be scarce as there would be little call for a whole bunch of these needed.

As for the wreath 2 schools of thought. Some like the closed while other like the open type of wreath.

Myself I don't really know.

If I had to pick one it would be the closed.

Why would there be a 57 version as there is no need to restrike it has no swazi on it.

Wayne

[bytown]

Two things that strike me as being odd about this medal.

The edges of the wings.

The pattern of the chest feathers.

Wayne

[Silesien]

The postwar Souval versions of this Cross had ugly saw marks on the edges. Does this Cross have those ugly saw marks, or are the edges nice & smooth ?

[Mike H]

...

Thanks for the input. I did a search on the Forum and could find no discussions about these (with this maker mark) at all. So for now, I think we have not really reached any valid conclusions about this medal.

I do not have it in hand at the moment but when I do, I will examine the edges as "Silesian" suggests and run images here. In addition, I will provide better images of the badge itself including the eagle.

Back to you when I have more images ....

Mike

[kokstok]

Hi Mike,

if you do a search on the oakleave device you will find an interesting tread. The open oakleaves are concidered '57 issue. I also have an article about it but that one is in German.

[Mike H]

The postwar Souval versions of this Cross had ugly saw marks on the edges. Does this Cross have those ugly saw marks, or are the edges nice & smooth ?

Nice and smooth. Sorry for not posting sooner.

Mike

[bytown]

I still think post war Souval.

As far as the wreath goes why would there be a 57 version?

There is no need to restrike these as they have no banned symbols on them.

This cross would not be for my collection.

Unless it was really cheap.

Just my opinion.

Wayne