Blue Division Medal near MINT

[fpicoli]

Hi,

I usually see the Blue Division Medal with its finish damage or lost.
I recently found this one Mint or at least, Near Mint.
To me, it seems to be a original german made.
What about you....what do you think?

[Tom Yanacek]

Hello,

Although the medal is probably real, that finish just does not look right to me. Looks as if someone painted it brown. The original finish, if present, would be more like the color of the suspension ring. Also, the ribbon looks to me like a modern replacement.

Best regards,
Tom

[JCM - 1963]

Well, I have hope with this medal, the brown may be the effect of flash, and I can not see the medal, as the band may be too authentic since there is increasing evidence that there was a third manufacturer of these tapes, Deschler, Steinhauer and new Deumer, maybe this is a piece of the latter.

See if you see the post Gregorio Torres who is an expert in these medals and gives us his opinion, but in principle I like me this medal.

Greetings from Madrid.

Julio.

[Gregorio Torres]

Everything in this medal, including finishing and ribbon, is original.

[fpicoli]

Here is another picture showing the complete ribbon.



One thing that is strange is that i've seen similar medals on the same website, with wear on the exactly same spots (lower part of the swastica, arrows tie, and the eagle breast). Is that common or just a coincidence?

Regards

Fabio

[JCM - 1963]

The medal and ribbon are good, no problems.

But in the same store have another medal marked 1 with original German ribbon for $ 240, the price difference between the two is $ 15, I would buy the item marked 1 GRA3929.

Julio.

[blutundehre]

Is that a Spanish made ribbon, looks postwar IMO.
Any closer pics of the ribbon?
Dave

[Tom Yanacek]

Is that a Spanish made ribbon, looks postwar IMO.
Any closer pics of the ribbon?
Dave

I agree! And I still have an uneasy feeling about the finish on this one. Looks like someone painted this with brown paint and then rubbed it down a bit to create wear to the high points.

Greg: Do you happen to have any of these medals with this same kind of finish? Maybe you can post some pictures of a similar one?

Best regards,
Tom

[Gregorio Torres]

IMHO:
The ribbon is one of the original made in germany in 1944. Not the more commonly known attached to the Deschler´s medals, but it´s an original german made ribbon which you can see in originals german made medals from other makers.
This almost brown finishing is a tipical oxidation of "mittelgold" laquer in some weather and preservation conditions. I´ve seen this tone in some other original items like this comming directly from the vets.

[blutundehre]

I am not questioning the medals authenticity, because these are not my area, but WW2 German made ribbons are pretty uniformed. It may be the pics, but it doesn't look right to me, hence closer pics that I ask for.
For what it's worth, looks like a zincer with the finish being absorbed in some areas, again not much of an expert on the medal itself.
Dave

[VonPeter]

That ribbon is not made in germany during the war imo.

[Tom Yanacek]

Hello guys,

Figured I would post my example. I'm pretty certain that this one is completely original but, of course, I welcome any and all feedback as I am not a Spanish Blue Division expert.

This medal is almost completely void of finish, but there are some traces of gilt wash remaining.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

reverse:

[Tom Yanacek]

In this picture you can better see the traces of gilt wash remaining:

[Tom Yanacek]

closeup of reverse: