Pre WW2 Campaign Medals, any tips?

[ParanormalTrooper]

Hello all!

I am starting to get into collecting pre WW2 campaign medals as they're quite interesting and host some beautiful designs.

So far, I have purchased a nice US Navy numbered 2nd Nicaraguan Campaign medal, a nice numbered Army Philippine Insurrection medal, and what I believe is a 1920s Bastian Brothers Navy Spanish Campaign medal. Being new to this field, I didnt realize the Spanish campaign medal was a later strike until after I purchased it, but oh well.

For those wondering, yes these are the sellers pics

 

But anyways, I was wondering if anyone knew a good source for more info on early campaign medals, or if anyone had some tips on collecting these? I think someone told me to check out "the Call of Duty" but I haven't looked more into that.

 

Thanks!

 

2nd Nicagrauan Campaign

 

Bastain Bros Spanish Campaign

[ParanormalTrooper]

And here's the Philippine insurrection medal, #3774 awarded to a John Bartunek according to the seller.

[Reforger]

I don't collect these, but if I wanted to know more I would just look on this forum. It is a great source on all kinds of militaria.

[KurtA]

You're off to a good start. "The Call of Duty" is an absolute MUST if you collect early US Medals. Buy that book before you buy any more medals. You should also try to find the soft cover book published by Al Gleim "New Medal Letters." Another MUST. Those two books will get you off to a solid start.

Lots of goofy garbage for sale out there. Feel free to post photos here prior to buying. Study prices realized on Ebay to learn values.

[KurtA]

I don't collect these, but if I wanted to know more I would just look on this forum. It is a great source on all kinds of militaria.

 

haha. I should have mentioned this Forum in my prior post. Lots of campaign medals have been discussed and dissected in detail here.

[usmedalman]

The 1923 Bastian Brothers Spanish Campaign is a legitimate strike. Remember, the Spanish Campaign, and most pre-WW1 Navy campaign medals were authorized in 1908, so I wouldn't really call it a later strike.

[Adam R]

Here's the medal index card that confirms the issue of Philippine Campaign Medal No. 3774 to Bartuneck. The unit shown is his unit at the time the medal was issued. He earned the medal while serving with the 31st Company, Coast Artillery. The medal records show his last name at Bartuneck but other service records that I have list the name as Bartunek. He was born in Austria about 1877. (When I owned this medal about 10 years ago there was quite a bit of research with it.)