Normandie Posted July 20, 2018 Share #1 Posted July 20, 2018 Hi everyone, I recently picked up this unnumbered, wrap brooch Legion of Merit medal from eBay and some questions emerged when I finally received it. I compared this one with another wrap brooch but numbered sterling (almost black) piece in my collection and realized the following: - Comparing the weight of the two medals this one is lighter than the other. - The blue shade in the center is lighter and the quality of the white enamel in the stars is way better on the other medal. - Some small details are more visible on the sterling Legion of Merit, here almost non-existent. - The most interesting thing I am curious about is the reverse of the medal. The five arms where the obverse is enamelled with red color the reverse do not have the typical zigzag pattern as any other Legion of Merit medals I ever seen before, but completely smooth. I was thinking about that these differences might be coming from the different manufacturing process of different manufacturers but I thought it might worth asking if I am correct. Is this an original, period WWII piece or the planchet is a later manufacture and was combined with a correct Legion of Merit ribbon and brooch? Many thanks in advance for the help. Bence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMo Posted July 20, 2018 Share #2 Posted July 20, 2018 I'm going to go out on a limb and say it is a fake. It just doesn't look....crisp enough, if that makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMcollector Posted July 20, 2018 Share #3 Posted July 20, 2018 Its an original WWII Manufactured planchette. Thats for sure. Just a different manufacturer than the others in your collection. The brooch and ribbon drape also look genuine to the era. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted July 20, 2018 Share #4 Posted July 20, 2018 I agree...it looks fine to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normandie Posted July 22, 2018 Author Share #5 Posted July 22, 2018 Many thanks for the input everybody. This medal is not particularly a rare or unique piece but I am glad it is a correct WWII manufactured piece. Thanks again for the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMcollector Posted July 24, 2018 Share #6 Posted July 24, 2018 Allen Menke schooled me on LOM’s. I don’t think anyone knows as much about LOM’s as Allen. The Army LOM I posted above was issued to a Navy commander. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMariner Posted July 24, 2018 Share #7 Posted July 24, 2018 Agree with everyone above it 100% original and period! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warroom1 Posted July 25, 2018 Share #8 Posted July 25, 2018 real deal, enjoy it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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