Eastern front medal, spanish made?

[Peter J.]

Hi guys.

I was reading through the EFM-threads and someone made
references to a spanish made medal. Any comments out there?

The following piece was purchased in Sweden in 1969 and is a
two-piece construction.

Best regards
Peter

[Peter J.]

EFM

revers

[Philippe DB]

Hi Peter,


Could be Spanish made or could be made in any other place in the world but one thing is sure this is a copy. Almost everything is wrong on this medal an the overal quality and detail is very poor.

In fact I think it's nice to see a copy of this medal because they are probably much rarer then the originals.

Why do you say that it is a 2 piece construction?

KR
Philippe


This medal has a very funny feature and that is in my opinion a kind of signature of the fakers. Who can find it on the obverse

[Peter J.]

EFM

Hi Philippe.

Great hearing from you again
When I saw this medal 20 years ago I also dismissed it as a fake.
But lately I´ve been hesatative. Why would anybody fake such a
common medal in this way? Not cast but actually struck in two
pieces and put together. And why the spanish suspension?

This is an unlikely story but yesterday I ran into it´s twin. The
owner had bought it in Germany in 1988. He also stated that he
had seen this type of medal in Spain, worn by spanish vets. Is
it possible that this medal was produced after the war due to
lack of originals? Maybe I´m reaching but it¨s just a thought.

And no, I fail your test . Please fill me in.

Best regards
Peter

[Angel Farré]

After WW II the wear of Third Reich decorations was allowed in Spain to those who earned, being part of the Spanish volunteers in the East Front of part of the German Armed Forces and now lived in Spain, some years after the end of the war it was clear that no original medals supply could be expected so started a little production of some medals to the veterans who wanted to wear them. Till today I have seen EK II and I, KVK II with Swords and ostmedailles being made in Spain. The Ostmedaille are two parts made and all the medals are finished in bronce and black not in gun metal and silver as originals and, of course, all are as the one shown here, mounted in the spanish fashion.

I can't say when it was made, but posible is a 60's manufacture.

It's, in my opinion, another type of original medal as it was not manufactured to fool collector, but as a true replacement to the original winners.

Angel

[Peter J.]

EFM

Angel

You are truly an !! This helped me building up my
self-confidence. Seems I wasn´t too much off base. THANKS!

Best regards
Peter

[Angel Farré]

It's a real pleasure to help each other. As Ostmedailles and KVK Spanish made are not in great demand I have seen that EK I are highly desired pieces, take in mind that an estimated number of 135 were awarded to members of the Spanish Blue Division, plus some more to spanish pilots of the Blue Squadron, so no much demand for postwar wear. Also note that the spanish way of wear a medal is to show it all, not only the ribbon.

And with this post I reach the unbelieble number of 1.000 posts, I never thought I reach it.

Angel

[W. C. Stump]

I would like an example, but haven't found one yet. Anything from the Blue Division and Spanish Civil War are a favorite subject of mine. Any idea where I might locate one?

[Angel Farré]

Have you tried in Madrid two militaria shops?

I know one is called Intaria and has web page www.intaiamilitaria.com

The other is called Arganzuela and his e-mail address is arganzue@teleline.es

A third one is located in Barcelona his web page is www.militariabcn.com he has a web page in english, this is the best option, his owner is named Xavier and he has a nice and fast service and also a large stock of republican and nacionalist medals and insignias.

The other in Madrid has a good service, but not too much stock and Intaria is a real chaos, you can find everything from a formal KC citation to a doll from the 19th century, it's only good to buy on place.

If you need something more drop me a line I try to help you.

Angel

[Angel Farré]

Sorry, Intaria web page is www.intariamilitaria.com

Angel almost

[Philippe DB]

Hi Angel,

Thanks for the update on Spanish post-war production for official use of some German WWII awards. Thats realy new information I wasn't aware of.

Does the spanish made EK also falls in to that category or was that one already produced during the war?

Thanks
Philippe

@peter, the funny feature on this medal is to be found on the eagles left paw. On the originals 2 of the 3 claws rest on the left arm of the swas. On this onely 1 claw rest on the left arm and the put the middle claw on the right arm.

[Philippe DB]

Hi Angel,

Just one more question, just read a piece in G.Klietmann book on German WWII awards about the "Division Espanola de Voluntarios en Rusia" medal.
This medalls production started in 1944 and arround 60.000 of them were manufactured. The article also states that this medall was further produced in Spain after the war. It has a complete different layout then the German "Ostmedall".
Where shoud I situate this medall in relation to the officialy produced Spanish Ost Medall. Who would wear the German version and Who the Spanisch (instituted in 1944 by the German) version

Thanks
Philippe

[Angel Farré]

Philippe, spanish made german medals started in the late 40s early 50s as soon as I know and only as replacement to actual holder that see imposible to obtain regular ones so EK fall in the same category as the Ostmedaille, they are semioficial replacement for actual holders.

When you talk about Spanish conmemorative medal you must be aware that two diferent medals are for this, german one and spanish one, bestowed both to every member of the division, one by the german authorities, mostly by the consulate in Madrid, and one by the spanish army. Of course after the war the german one was also made in Spain for the same reasons as above commented, but lack of the detail and finish of the german ones.

Here yo have examples of wartime produced medals, german is marked "1" as this firm received the first order from the Chancellory to supply 10.000 units.

Angel

[Peter J.]

attn. Angel

Hi Angel.

1000 posts yesterday and 1032 today. What can I say!!

One question. Andre´Husken calls the round type "Erinnerungs-
med. fur spanische Freiwillige" and the enameled "Erinnerungs-
med. fur spanische Freiwillige im Russlandfeldzug 1941. Both types german and spanish manufactured.
Adrian Forman is more coplicated. The round type:"Bravery and
Commemorative Medal of the Spanish "Blue Division" 1941"
(Tapferkeits-und Erinnerungsmedaille der Spanishen "Blauen Division). The enameled: Spanish decoration to commemorate the
Spanish "Blue Division" on the Russian Front 1941. Both types also german and spanish produced. After reading your thread I guess Forman is closest to the truth. I have never seen any pics
of the round type spanish manufactured or the enameled german manufactured. Any pics?

Best regards
Peter

[Angel Farré]

First, the name to the German one is "Erinnerungsmedaille fur die Spanischen Freiwilligen im Kampf gegen den Bolchewismus" as you can see it in the paper packets and in citations. The Spanish one is more dificult as normally refered as "Medalla Conmemorativa de la Campaña de Rusia" Russian campaign conmemorative medal.

German or spanish manufacture, the german one has been made postwar for replacement to veterans, but the spanish one was never made in Germany the so called enameled, officers or German made is just a private purchase option of this medal made by the famous jeweller Rokisqui in Madrid and is extremaly rare.

Anything more.

Angel