4Year SS

[David R.]

HI what do you guys think about this medal? I can't say I have ever seen a real one and no photos to compair it to. Thanks in advance David R.

[David R.]

The front?? Or the back??

[TobyR]

Sorry, but personally I don't like the look of it. Here's mine for comparison (replacement ribbon though):

All the best,
Toby.

[TobyR]

And:

Quite a difference in the detailing and finish.

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Toby,

Hard to say if David´s medal is original without some really detailed close ups, but the finish is not the problem of his medal. In fact, I have never seen a 4 year SS with your finsih (or lack of). Probably all of the black finish is gone on your example.

Cheers, Frank

[David R.]

Thanks for some photos.It was not mine but was thinking about it.

[TobyR]

Hi Frank,

Good point. What about the detailing to the acorns? I notice that the example shown in 'For Fuehrer and Fatherland' has detailed as opposed to plain acorn bottoms. Would this be a manufacturer's variation? Same with the fonts used: I notice some difference between David's and my own examples.

All the best,
Toby.

Dear Toby,

Hard to say if David´s medal is original without some really detailed close ups, but the finish is not the problem of his medal. In fact, I have never seen a 4 year SS with your finsih (or lack of). Probably all of the black finish is gone on your example.

Cheers, Frank

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Toby,

Since SS is not my speciality, I felt only qualified to comment on the finish. There certainly are differences in the letters. But keep in mind that the 8-year medal also has at least two different legitimate types.
Of course, this medal is also faked! Maybe some owners of a 4-year SS can jump in here, I only own an 8-year medal.

Cheers, Frank

[keifer kahn]

I like toby,s medal.It looks to have tombac as the base as it should have.I feel as well all the finish has been removed(perhaps the former owner thought the black finish was tarnish and decided to clean it off).The jump ring looks good as well.So does the teardrop suspension ring.Looks good except for the lack of black finish.
Toby,the medal should measure 38mm across.I feel it will be spot on.

David,
If you havent purchased this medal,then you have probaly saved yourself some money.
I dont like it .The medal itself is to coarse looking(typical of many reproduction 8 year medals,that are cast.Originals were diestruck.The stipling is way to coarse as well.
Base metal should be like toby,s.Repros are typically bright brass,as yours shows in spots.Originals were tombac,which technically is brass but a lot duller and brown in colour.
That jump ring is just too high and skinny.An instant "put it down and walk away"motivator for me.Toby,s jump ring looks spot on,and to me that is what i look for.

originals arent that hard to find(a bit harder than 8 years).Dan kelley militaria has a nice one for sale at the moment.

regards Keifer

[TobyR]

Hi Keifer,

Glad to hear you like the medal. When I measured it, I got 38.5mm although this could just be my shaky measuring work. It weighs 24.6g.

All the best,
Toby.

I like toby,s medal.It looks to have tombac as the base as it should have.I feel as well all the finish has been removed(perhaps the former owner thought the black finish was tarnish and decided to clean it off).The jump ring looks good as well.So does the teardrop suspension ring.Looks good except for the lack of black finish.
Toby,the medal should measure 38mm across.I feel it will be spot on.

David,
If you havent purchased this medal,then you have probaly saved yourself some money.
I dont like it .The medal itself is to coarse looking(typical of many reproduction 8 year medals,that are cast.Originals were diestruck.The stipling is way to coarse as well.
Base metal should be like toby,s.Repros are typically bright brass,as yours shows in spots.Originals were tombac,which technically is brass but a lot duller and brown in colour.
That jump ring is just too high and skinny.An instant "put it down and walk away"motivator for me.Toby,s jump ring looks spot on,and to me that is what i look for.

originals arent that hard to find(a bit harder than 8 years).Dan kelley militaria has a nice one for sale at the moment.

regards Keifer

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Guys, here is my SS 4 year service medal.
Cheers, Ade.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Here is the reverse.

[TobyR]

Ade's example and my own look very similar - same quality and dimensionality to the lettering.

Nice one Ade.

All the best,
Toby.

I'm going to expand the thread a bit now. Here are some pics of my 8 Year. I love the finish on these.

[TobyR]

And the reverse:

[keifer kahn]

Hi Toby,
The 38.5mm measurement is fine.
My reference to the 38mm measurement was more to say that I was confident it will fall into the standard dimensions.I have noted many originals (including 8 years) are 38.5mm.There seems to be a slight variance in dimensions but this is typical with most awards.Christopher Ailsby book(name escapes me) quotes 38mm as the standard size,but they all seem to be a firm 38mm or a firm 38.5mm.The size difference is probaly due to a slightly larger planchet(trimming die) used in the die striking procedure.Probaly a consequence of the original dies starting to wear.I am merely speculating but perhaps an indicator the larger size medals stem from the end of the production run of these medals.


Repros tend to be under 38mm.They are normally cast and suffer from the typical under size characteristic,(the common batches are normally 37mm to 37.5mm).

I like all the medals posted except that first one(davids).Especially that 8 year. :

regards keifer