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?WW1 numbered USMC GC medal


carrabassett
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Just picked this up at a group shop and I initially thought it was a modern medal because it was in such mint shape. However, it's numbered and appears very high quality. Is this an original era WW1 medal? Does anyone know how to trace it by the number? Thanks for any input. Jim

 

post-3604-0-52001600-1512517285.jpg post-3604-0-53243300-1512517292.jpg post-3604-0-93409800-1512517297.jpg

 

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Hello, while they are generally accepted as WW1 medal I believe they may have been issued up too and into World War 2. Also they are 100% not traceable so its simply just a nice numbered medal!

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Hello, while they are generally accepted as WW1 medal I believe they may have been issued up too and into World War 2. Also they are 100% not traceable so its simply just a nice numbered medal!

Thanks!

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I have never seen rim numbers used past WWI. The un engraved rim numbered medals were for those enlisted for the "duration of the war" in WWI.

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Hello Everyone,

 

Rim numbered Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals were issued right after World War I. They were supposed to only have been issued to Marines who enlisted for the duration of the war, I'm sure there were a few exceptions. To receive one of these Good Conduct Medals there was no specified time period only that the Marine's character of service be excellent. These medals were impressed with "No." prefixed numbers between 20,000 and 70,000. There are examples were the number was engraved rather than impressed. They were issued in white cardboard boxes with the medal number on the box lid.

 

I have a small list of WWI Marine Good Conduct Medal recipients. The list accounts for about 1,433 of the 50,000 numbered medals issued to Marines after the war. Unfortunately your medal, No. 63759, is not on the list.

 

Semper Fi,

Bruce Linz

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However - Based upon an earlier study it appears that your medal was issued to a Marine that enlisted in October 1918

 

Bill

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Good info Bruce, as usual! And, they were not issued "up to and into WWII". That's bad info. Nice WWI medal. ASemper Fi........Bob

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I have seen one engraved with with name date and numbers on the medal and on the number on the rim and dates were in the 1930s. So how late some where issued I would say is up for grabs, have other seen number examples with late names? I know at the least they were used into the 20s as I have personally sold numbered examples from the 20s that are are engraved and dated accordingly! As for the rest of the info good research I have provided what I have been told before but we all have something to learn!

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I would be suspect of any USMC GCM with rim numbered engraved, UNLESS the Marine engraved it privately and had enlisted in WWI "for the duration of the war". Marines with 4 years enlistment in WWI should have the Type VII (according to the research by Smith) Government engraved medals, and after WWI, the Government engraving picked up again with Marines name and number and dates engraved onto the medal and NO RIM number. The estimate of October 1918 is also from Smtih's research and is good info. What has been offered here by Bill, Bruce and Bob is accurate info. Kevin

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Great info guys! That’s why I love this Forum! Knowledgeable members who enjoy sharing what they know. Thanks again. Jim

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Good Conduct Medals from #70,000-70,999 had hand engraved rim numbers. Per Smith's research. They are Type IX's.

I would be suspect of any USMC GCM with rim numbered engraved, UNLESS the Marine engraved it privately and had enlisted in WWI "for the duration of the war". Marines with 4 years enlistment in WWI should have the Type VII (according to the research by Smith) Government engraved medals, and after WWI, the Government engraving picked up again with Marines name and number and dates engraved onto the medal and NO RIM number. The estimate of October 1918 is also from Smtih's research and is good info. What has been offered here by Bill, Bruce and Bob is accurate info. Kevin

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Hello gang,

 

Here's a fly in the ointment. This is a Type IX with a far lower number than the normal range which I have had for a number of years. I sent it to George Harris for his input and he confirmed it was definitely a Type IX, but assumed it to be a reissue of an earlier GCM, something he was rather excited to see.

 

An enjoyable thread!

 

Best wishes,

 

Joe

 

post-48324-0-69808400-1512949740_thumb.jpg

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  • 3 weeks later...

Here's an example of the engraved rim number type in the 70,000 range, as referenced above. It's in a small white cardboard box with a "Marine Corps Good Conduct" paper label pasted on the lid and matching number hand written on the side of the box. Unfortunately it's unattributed. (It took me about 25 years to find this example for my collection.)

post-10651-0-75986300-1514840978_thumb.jpg

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Outstanding Adam! And with the matching box! You always come up with some incredible pieces. Truly enjoyable to see!

 

Best wishes,

 

Joe

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Great unusual piece, Adam! To be clear on the topic starter, we are discussing impressed Rim-Numbered Good Conduct medals. In general, any Marine enlisted for the Duration of The Great War, that is, non-Regular enlistees, were awarded a GCM for any period of service. Regulars had to serve a full enlistment to qualify for the badge. ( I have a Purple Heart to a regular Marine who served 34 months, was discharged as disabled and did not qualify for a GCM because he did not complete his enlistment.) Engraved on reverse, numbered USMC GCMs were awarded from 1896 with name and enlistment and award date into WWII. During WWII Marines who had enlisted prior to Pearl Harbor generally received reverse-engraved medals; those enlisted after PH received machine embossed medals with name and year staring in 1944. This continued into early 1952 when naming of Good Conduct medals ceased. Hope this helps and not muddies on the subject. Semper Fi and Happy New Year. Bob

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  • 2 months later...

Here is my contribution. Definitely outside the #70,000 range. Most likely a replacement for a lost original. attachicon.gif20180320_172550.jpg

Agree - Likely a replacement. With a name I'd bet his SRB would contain a confirming transmittal letter. Nice piece. Semper Fi.......Bob

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Agree - Likely a replacement. With a name I'd bet his SRB would contain a confirming transmittal letter. Nice piece. Semper Fi.......Bob

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