West Wall Medals for review

[Brian k]

I have these two medals in there packets. I believe the medals are good but I do not know much about the packets. Also is the ribbon original? Some feedback would be appreciated.

[Ian Hulley]

Hi Brian, if you open the Orth pack up and look at a light through it you'll be able to read 'Winterschlacht im Osten'

Close-ups of the edge of the ribbons will tell the tail.

Ian

[Tom Yanacek]

Hi Brian,

Both packets look good to me. The packet on the left was originally an East Medal packet by Friedrich Orth that was converted to a Westwall packet for the second issuance of Westwall Medals in late 1944. The packet on the right is the most frequently encountered type of Westwall packet, maker marked to Carl Poellath of Schrobenhausen. Both of the medals look like good, later issues in zinc.

As far as the ribbons are concerned, I'm not really liking the look of either one. But better pictures of the ribbons are needed to be certain. The ribbon on the right with the yellow horizontal wefts is definitely a reproduction IMO.

Best regards,
Tom

[Brian k]

Thanks for the feedback. I checked the ribbon under a black light and they both glow. Looks like I need to find some ribbon for the beauties.

[Tom Yanacek]

Thanks for the feedback. I checked the ribbon under a black light and they both glow. Looks like I need to find some ribbon for the beauties.

Hi Brian,

As common as Westwall Medals are, finding original ribbon for them is another story. Original Westwall ribbon is hard to come by these days. And most of the zinc Westwall Medals that were paired up with Carl Poellath, Schrobenhausen packets have reproduction ribbons.

Best regards,
Tom

[tgn]

The ribbon on the left medal looks good for a later 2nd issue. The first issue ribbons are darker and difficult to find.

Tom

[Ian Hulley]

Here's my late issue zinc 'Poellath' ..



As you can see with an original later ribbon ..



A minty early type ..



and a comparison early brass/bronze v late coated zinc ..



And my other early type's ribbon in comparison to the later brown/orange type ..



The point being that early OR late can have the darker ribbon. In my experience early tend to have the slightly lighter type ... just my experience obviously.

Ian

[Tom Yanacek]

The point being that early OR late can have the darker ribbon. In my experience early tend to have the slightly lighter type ... just my experience obviously.

I agree!

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

Just saw this one up for auction.

Another fake Westwall ribbon having yellow wefts.

[Thomas Durante]

Thanks Tom, certainly a red flag to be wary of.

Tom