Memel Medal

[jwburchell]

After doing my research on this forum, I would like to post my Memel medal for opinions as to whether it is an original or a reproduction/fake.

Mine shown here is a stamped (gepraegte) one with the straight/upright "G". I understand that the format of the "9s" and the "Ms" must also be considered....and perhaps even the acorns. However, the detail that bothers me most is the fact that on the obverse the plinith on which the men stand meets or reaches the edge of the medal. Is this a "deal-breaker"?

Due to the controversy and differing opinions on the Memel medal, as
well as the other two "Flower Wars" medals, I am still confused as to whether or not my medal might possibly be an acceptable variation.

Regarding the case, I read in one thread a statement by Marcus Hatton that there is no known case for this medal. Mine came to me in the pebbled, burgundy-coloured case shown with the folded length of ribbon - both of which pass the "black light" test. Is this case most appropriate to the commemorative medal of 1.Okt.1938 (aka: Sudetenland Medal), and not the Memel?

Your opinions and comments will be appreciated.

Thanks,

John

[jwburchell]

Reverse:

[jwburchell]

The case viewed from the top:

[Andy B.]

Your right about the controversy of this style of memel. What is the weight of yours? There are a group of folks on the forum that like the "upright" G style as long as it falls within a certain weight range.
The case shown sure looks like an Oct. 1 medal case. I also thought I read somewhere that there was no case, but a paper packet.
Hope that helps (vague as I was )
Sincerely Andy B.

[fugpaw]

Based on the single photo of the case it is a Sudeten (1st Oct) case, as for originality - really need more pics, but based on the one pic it looks promising.

As for the medal - can't really help - memels are not my thing.

Mike

[jwburchell]

Thanks Andy B. for your comments. On my postal scale, the medal (without ribbon) weighs-in at about 14 grams (give or take a fraction). My digital caliper shows the width as being 32.2mm and the thickness as 2.3mm....all within the acceptable range, according to threads on this forum.

Thanks, as well Mike. I reviewed threads again and noted that Gordon Williamson wrote on 05.11.2002 that: "The official LDO price list quotes all three of the Flower Wars medals as being in paper packets or in box so it's probably just that it was intentional that the Anschluss and Memel medals shared the same box."

And another detail noted by Tom Yanacek in a thread on 07.06.2004:
"Occupation Medals in envelopes were usually unmounted. The medal was wrapped in tissue, and a length of ribbon was placed in the envelope but unattached to the medal. Pin mounted Occupation Medals were usually awarded in the issue cases."

Mine came to me in the case, but unmounted with a folded ribbon (no pin mount), so there we are...subject to interpretation I guess and perhaps also controversial.

Still no comment on the plinith detail (noted above) and whether or not this is a detail known on period originals, or a definite indication of a fake.

John

[fozz]

memel medal

Sorry looks like a fake to me, the lines of the plinth are touching the edges of the medal. This is a common fake error.

[Stu W]

Hello John,

If the edges of the plinth, touching the rim, are all that leads this to be thought a repro then I think we need to review that point. It's true in some cases but if memory serves me George Stimson has an authentic Occupation medal with lower edges touching the rim. I think it was on a bar. I can't recall which of the three it was but you could ask him.

Kind regards,
Stu

[fozz]

memel medal

I wouldnt be happy with it, Regards.

[Der Stahlhelm]

Memel

John,
If you would like...PM me and I can send you a few pictures of a "confirmed good Memel Medal" for comparison.
Regards,
Mike

[George Stimson]

"It's true in some cases but if memory serves me George Stimson has an authentic Occupation medal with lower edges touching the rim. I think it was on a bar. I can't recall which of the three it was but you could ask him."

I have dozens of Flower Wars medals, but this is the only one where the platform beneath the two figures goes all the way to the rim. It's the Austrian Anschluss medal on this bar.

[George Stimson]

Reverse of bar.

[George Stimson]

Medal close-up. (It might be kind of hard to see here, but trust me the platform goes all the way to the rim.)

[George Stimson]

Medal reverse.

[jwburchell]

Thanks very much for the postings, George. I am pleased to see a "Flower Wars" medal (in this instance, the Austrian one) that is apparently quite legitimate, on which the plinith does actually reach the rim of the award. From that, I understand that originals bearing this detail actually do exist and that it is not necessarily a reason to dismiss one of these medals as a fake or repro...at least the Austrian 13 March.1938 ones.

Stu, thanks as well for your observation, which also led this discussion to George's input.

It would be interesting to see a Memel with this plinith detail. At least then, perhaps a conclusion could be reached regarding mine shown above...and many others out there, I am sure...the other controversial details on which it seems to be so hard to reach a concensus also being considered.