KASTAUFFER Posted November 18, 2019 Share #1 Posted November 18, 2019 I have been collecting and studying Purple Hearts since the early 1980's and had always thought that the 1939 Metal Arts contract was the last contract before the 1941 Robbins Contract. The 1939 contract was also considered the last contract for Pre WWII Purple Hearts awarded to WWI and earlier veterans. The 1939 Metal Arts contract has the unique " bent over slot brooch. So does this new contract. The new contract is the 1940 Metal Arts Contract. Based on the number on this box, my assumption is that is starts with 75,000 . My guess is that maybe 3-5000 of these were made. Here is the contract label. I have never seen another box from this contract, These are two Purple Heart from this contract , both medals in the 75XXX range: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted November 18, 2019 Author Share #2 Posted November 18, 2019 The reverse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted November 18, 2019 Author Share #3 Posted November 18, 2019 Here is a label from the 1939 contract for comparison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunnertwo Posted November 18, 2019 Share #4 Posted November 18, 2019 Excellent discovery! Another piece of the puzzle. G2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermanus Posted November 18, 2019 Share #5 Posted November 18, 2019 Never knew this. Both contract produced hearts are similar. You must find the box to discover this. Wow, great find Kurt. Regards Herman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted November 18, 2019 Share #6 Posted November 18, 2019 Kurt, Thank you for this information on the contracts for the early Purple Hearts. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted November 18, 2019 Share #7 Posted November 18, 2019 Interesting ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhcoleterracina Posted November 19, 2019 Share #8 Posted November 19, 2019 I've never seen bent slot brooches that were issued un-named. Clearly both of yours look privately engraved. Was Merletti a WW1 award? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted November 19, 2019 Author Share #9 Posted November 19, 2019 I've never seen bent slot brooches that were issued un-named. Clearly both of yours look privately engraved. Was Merletti a WW1 award? I have other 1939 contract medals in the high 74XXX range that were awarded for WWII that are unnamed. Both are very early SW Pacific AAF awards. The Merletti pieces are definitely private engraving, Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted November 19, 2019 Share #10 Posted November 19, 2019 Good work ! I have a 1939 contract Metal Arts PH in the box named to a WW1 Vet. # 68563 Wharf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermanus Posted November 19, 2019 Share #11 Posted November 19, 2019 The highest bent slot brooch PH I recorded is # 76,220. It's unnamed. The first Robbins Co contract 12-30-1941 slot brooch PH I recorded is # 77,302 named to a WW1 WIA. Regards Herman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted November 20, 2019 Author Share #12 Posted November 20, 2019 The highest bent slot brooch PH I recorded is # 76,220. It's unnamed. The first Robbins Co contract 12-30-1941 slot brooch PH I recorded is # 77,302 named to a WW1 WIA. Regards Herman Interesting! I need to check the other ones I have when I can get to them. PH # 75,860 is for sale on the forum right now. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted November 21, 2019 Author Share #13 Posted November 21, 2019 The highest bent slot brooch PH I recorded is # 76,220. It's unnamed. The first Robbins Co contract 12-30-1941 slot brooch PH I recorded is # 77,302 named to a WW1 WIA. Regards Herman I just went through all of mine and 76698 was a Robbins Contract. This means the 1940 contract just got smaller. Might only be 1,000-1500 medals Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermanus Posted November 21, 2019 Share #14 Posted November 21, 2019 I just went through all of mine and 76698 was a Robbins Contract. This means the 1940 contract just got smaller. Might only be 1,000-1500 medals Kurt Hmmm, my best guess was 77,000 as the first Robbins PH. So, now 76,500 is my best guess. I bet 1,500 pieces under the MA 1940 contract. Funny, a week ago I thought there was only a MA 1939 contract. ? Thanks again Kurt for this discovery. Cheers Herman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share #15 Posted November 22, 2019 Hmmm, my best guess was 77,000 as the first Robbins PH. So, now 76,500 is my best guess. I bet 1,500 pieces under the MA 1940 contract. Funny, a week ago I thought there was only a MA 1939 contract. ? Thanks again Kurt for this discovery. Cheers Herman I thought the same thing too until I found this box, Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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