Framed KM groupings

[George Stimson]

Very good, Terrence, very good!!

[Besian B.]

Hello again Terrence,

Did any of the framed groupings come together or were they all put that way by you?

[Terrence]

Gentlemen,

Again thank you for your kind words. This weekend I will take some detailed pictures of the KM cap box which Bob Warda (who makes alot of cases for our members) built at my request. He did a GREAT job and I will be asking him to make anotherone to protect the sextant. What a great way to protect these artifacts and still be able to enjoy them!!

In response to the question about whether I put these groupings together. Yes!! While there are a few pieces to whom I know are attributed, the vast majority were just pieces available for sale here and there.

This weekend I will also post a series of pictures showing in sequence, how I put these together. Really pretty simple. Just took a bit of patience in finally figuring out the best way to do it. So.....keep tuned in!!!

The centerpiece of the collection (with the orange handled KM dirk) is still a work in progress. For this group I will be looking for a MINT "65" IC 1st class, a "porsche" u-boat badge, and a wound badge in gold. Whils I am unaware of any KM KC holders of being awarded this badge, it is out of respect for their huge loses that I will be dedicating that piece to this grouping.

As you can probably tell, I think alot about these groupings. Perhaps too much. But when the group is finished and on the wall.... hours and hours of enjoyment. I figure if I can't look at them and enjoy them, why have them. I do keep a couple of badges unframed just so I can "feel" them.

[mads]

Terrence, I must say I simply love your stunning display.
A lot of work always pays off!

Mads

[Michel]

Any comments about the cap Michel?

Seems to be a nice cap.

Which type of material has been used inside ?

[Tim Miller]

Terrence,

Love your groupings.... very nice. Thanks for sharing!

[Besian B.]

Greetings Terrence,

Just wondering when you're going to show us how you did these displays as I'm really interested in your displaying techniques. You're keeping us in suspense here

Gentlemen,

This weekend I will also post a series of pictures showing in sequence, how I put these together. Really pretty simple. Just took a bit of patience in finally figuring out the best way to do it. So.....keep tuned in!!!

[Terrence]

OK... here we go...

Prior to step one is of course collecting a few badges that work well together. The example in progress that I will be using will eventually hold a nice KC. For now, a 57 version holds its place.

Step 1: arrange the medals out on a piece of cardboard and then cut hole in the cardboard. I do this because some of the items are really thick. For example, a medal bar.

[Terrence]

Step 2: making sure the cut out in the cardboard fits the medal well.

[Terrence]

Step 3: cover the cardboard with felt and place the medals in their appropriate cut out space. I have tried many colors and black works best. It really brings out silver and gilding well. Felt also works well because it will stretch a bit when palyed with. This is especailly impurtant to get that nice tight fit around megal bars and thick medals like the HSF badge.

[Terrence]

Step four: placement of hanging medals: Note again how the KC fits into the recess on the cardboard.

[Terrence]

Step five: Kepping hanging medals in place. To hold the ribbons in place I use a straight pin. I have found through evperience to do this carefully and then only on the edges. This minimizes any damage to the ribbon itself. For rings, a simple safety pin through the felt and loop works well for some.

[Terrence]

For loops that run the other way, I cut a little slit in the felt and slip the ring through and then safety pin tha back. This minesweeper group shows this technique with the IC 2nd class.

[Terrence]

and for ribbons by themselves, I very carefully use an exacto blade and cut a thin slit, then open the slit up a bit by running the tip of something larger through it (like the tip os a small pair of needlenose pliers). This does two things, it helps push the felt into the slit, and makes the ribbon fit nice and snug through the slit. Show is the merit cross in this frame.

[Terrence]

Step 6: Getting the medals to stay in place. Some of these medals are quite heavy and will slip. So, I reinforce their placement with larger paperclips that have been opened up. Then I tape the clips in place.