Another Africa Medal - opinion needed

[Nik7304]

Bought this today at an antiques fair. I don't know smack about spotting fakes so I never buy anything TR from anyone other than a trusted dealer. This however, was priced right and seemed ok, so I took a chance. If it's a fake then at least I didn't pay a fortune for it. Would appreciate any opinions on it, however if it's a fake I'd like to know what to look out for in the future.



Also, any ideas on how to clean it would be welcome.

[Aiceman]

Hi!
This is silver africa medal,I see the the details and I think it's worn. Only one: I don't see the maker mark on the right side(crokodile side). But I don't know it's need to see every africa medal.(I have bronze and silver,and on these is maker mark)(IMO)

[Aiceman]

This is my:

[Nik7304]

Thanks Andor. There is some sort of mark to the left of the crocodile I noticed yesterday. Will check when I'm out in my office in a bit.

So it's silver? I thought these were issued in bronze? What is the story regarding silver medals? I thought the shiny bits came from it being together with a KVK.

[Nik7304]

Did some rigorous scrubbing with a toothbrush which has cleaned it up a bit. It has LORIOLI MILANO on the left and DE MARCHIS on the bottom.

Been looking on the forum at other examples and this looks pretty ok to me by comparison to some which have been called repro; the detail's very crisp, the marks (albeit "very common") are there, and I think most of all it looks to be almost 70 years old. I don't know though, it could have been made last week for all I know.

Going to sort myself some ribbon and it'll make a nice display.

Out of interest, assuming this is genuine, what is the sort of market value on it? I've seen these for close to £150, but in the state this is in, I doubt it'll be anywhere near that.

[Darrell]

So what makes us think they are not the normal zinc Bronzed versions with the finish gone?

[Jody]

AFRIKA Medal

Hello,
I agree with Darrell, it is simply a later version made of zinc with a bronze wash and the bronze finish has been absorbed.

You can put some vaseline on it to clean it up. This medal is not worth a lot because of the finish and lack of ribbon.

Regards,
Jody

[Nik7304]

Thanks. Not too concerned with it being a slightly less than pristine example. As long as it's genuine.

[Aiceman]

Hi
Now I'am here. Yes I think it's silver version.For example I show the two version:

[Nik7304]

Very nice examples.

Took the advice and slapped some vaseline on it. Worked a treat. Bit of scrubbing with a toothbrush and it now looks like a completely different medal.



Quite a difference from the grubby mess in the first photo!

[Darrell]

Hi
Now I'am here. Yes I think it's silver version.For example I show the two version:

The two versions you show are (L to R), Zinc and Tombak (bronze). The zinc has no finish left so you cannot tell what it was when it was originally finished.

[blutundehre]

The two versions you show are (L to R), Zinc and Tombak (bronze). The zinc has no finish left so you cannot tell what it was when it was originally finished.

I agree with Darrell. As far as I know I have only seen these in bronze, never seen one with "silver wash" although I have seen plenty of zincers with no finish left that may give the impression of a different grade.
Aiceman, can you show a pic of a silver grade that is mint or at least traces of a silver wash?

[Aiceman]

Hi Guys!
It's interesting problem to me,I think I need to start new thread on my africa medals...

[Gabor Tischler]

hi guys,

I found these pictures in Bernd Hartmann's book ( Die Kriegsauszeichnungen des Deutschen Heeres 1939-1945 ). Please look at it.

regards Gabor

[Darrell]

I've read about "Silver" versions in various literary sources. I'm wondering if the authors are passing along tales from others, where in fact, these are simply Zinc type with the wash gone. Why would there be silver versions? What purpose would it serve? This was a campaign medal, not a qualification or bravery award of differing levels ???