Veterans Assosciation Medals

[Nigel N]

[ATTACH]1574192[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]1574193[/ATTACH]

[Nigel N]

[ATTACH]1574197[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]1574198[/ATTACH]

[Nigel N]

Most of the badges and etui's are made by Schwertner of Graz....medals 538.jpg

medals 540.jpg

[Nigel N]

Finally a couple more pics from the Ulrichsberg Gatherings...ulrichsberg_kreuz_300x226_big.jpg

137879.jpg

[Mike Yokum]

Some very, very nice pieces Nigel. You are to be commended for remembering the veterans and their plight in the world. Those poor men in Russian prison camps! Like being at war for years wasn't bad enough, the destruction of their ideals, their country and then to end up in the hands of the vengfeul Russians! It makes my skin crawl and my heart sink to think what they must have endured! It's amazing any made it back alive. The Ulrichsberg medals have beautiful symbolism with the Christian cross brought into the Maltese cross. Though newer pieces (notice a fax number on the label) they appear to be of very good quality. Is the black area paint or enamel.

Here is a translated Wiki page on the VDK...

CLICK!!!

[Nigel N]

thanks for the link Mike, thats what i thought they were for, there is also the war graves comission, with the same initials
I'd guess the Ulrichsberg pieces are from around the early 80's, by the looks of them, some are mint, some have been worn!
The black inlay is enamel, like you, i think its a great design, linked, i'm sure to the huge cross that dominates the area around Ulrichsberg!
-Nigel

[Nigel N]

Forgot to mention, that Schwertner were also wartime badge makers, with the RZM code M1/155
Heres a pic of a guy(on the right) wearing the "homecomers" badge, its the bottom left badge on his jacket.........06ub64.jpg

[Peter Wiking]

Nice photos. Thanks for posting them.

Peter

[Nigel N]

Thanks Peter, i hope yoy found them interesting!!
Heres a new stickpin thats just arrived thanks to Pierce
Really well made, quality piece, gilded and enamelled.....medals 539.jpg

medals 540.jpg
No makers mark but.........

[Nigel N]

The reverse reads...."Soldatentreffen......Gottingen.....29/30. 8. 1953medals 541.jpg

medals 542.jpg

[Mike Yokum]

Beautiful pin with great imagery Nigel! 1953 is very early for a vet reunion is it not? Quite a nice vet association/reunion collection you are building buddy!

[luftkrieg]

[QUOTE=knockoffnigel;]
Heres a new stickpin thats just arrived thanks to Pierce
Really well made, quality piece, gilded and enamelled.....QUOTE]

Hi Nigel,

Glad you like it! I know this one has found a dam good home with you!!

Best regards
Pierce

[Nigel N]

Following on from the Ulrichsberg pieces, one of the main vets associations to take part at the yearly "gatherings" was the Austrian Waffen SS vets association, called "Kameradschaft 4"
I found this badge.........medals 533.jpg

medals 535.jpg
size 60mm X 50mm, reminds me of a Krim or Kuban shield!

[Nigel N]

Also, like the Krim, Kuban etc. it has an artificial patina applied to make it look aged and more attractive, this has been applied only to the obverse, the reverse is just bare metal........medals 534.jpg

medals 536.jpg

[Nigel N]

Finally, heres some vets checking out the memorial plaques at Ulrichsberg, including one to fallen comrades from Kameradschaft 4....Ulrichsberg 1.jpg

kameradschaft4.jpg