19 replies to this topic

[DevilDan1900]

I'm a great fan of the Sampson Medal. It's hard to find a more comparably impressive U.S. medal than a Sampson with about 6 engagement bars on it. Here is one formerly of my humble collection, please feel free to share any that you may have. This one is named and engraved to Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Jefferson Borden Jr. who served aboard the USS Prairie at Mariel.

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Edited by ADMIN, 03 February 2008 - 04:47 PM.
Added investigation note.

[DevilDan1900]

Here is a photo of the backside. It is marked for the engagement at Mariel where the Prairie and a couple other vessels intercepted and destroyed a Spanish armed schooner named Alphonso XII as well as some shore batteries nearby that tried to defend it.

***COLLECTOR NOTE***
All collectors should note that the individual who initially started this post has been banned and his posts are now being reviewed for authenticity.

Our main interest at USMF is making sure collectors are aware and can learn about period pieces. And, having non-original pieces as guides does a disservice to all. The administration encourages members having detailed information regarding the item being a fake, reproduction, and/or put together to come forward and post it here or in other threads.

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Edited by ADMIN, 03 February 2008 - 04:47 PM.
Added investigation note.

[DevilDan1900]

This medal is odd in the fact that it is engraved not impressed or stamped with the individual's name.

***COLLECTOR NOTE***
All collectors should note that the individual who initially started this post has been banned and his posts are now being reviewed for authenticity.

Our main interest at USMF is making sure collectors are aware and can learn about period pieces. And, having non-original pieces as guides does a disservice to all. The administration encourages members having detailed information regarding the item being a fake, reproduction, and/or put together to come forward and post it here or in other threads.

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Edited by ADMIN, 03 February 2008 - 04:47 PM.
Added investigation note.

[DevilDan1900]

That's impressive. I've always wanted to come accross one of the USMC awarded Sampson's. But I'm sure I don't have to tell you how rare they are. Equally impressive that you still have they case, they can actually be more scarce than the medals themselves. Here is a photo of my other Sampson Medal (best one I have at the moment, there's a reflection off the medal). Named to a man who served aboard the USS Hist during the War. He later went on to be First Sgt of the Marine Detachment aboard USS Iowa BB-4.

***COLLECTOR NOTE***
All collectors should note that the individual who initially started this post has been banned and his posts are now being reviewed for authenticity.

Our main interest at USMF is making sure collectors are aware and can learn about period pieces. And, having non-original pieces as guides does a disservice to all. The administration encourages members having detailed information regarding the item being a fake, reproduction, and/or put together to come forward and post it here or in other threads.

For more information regarding the user “DevilDan1900” and the cause for this review, please see below link:
http://www.usmilitar...showtopic=15227

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Edited by ADMIN, 03 February 2008 - 04:48 PM.
Added investigation note.

[Allan H.]

Dan,
The uniform and medals are quite impressive and make fro a wonderful display. However, (and I am certain that you don't really do this) one should NEVER leave medals pinned to a uniform and hung vertically. This is VERY hard on the ribbons and over time, the pendants will pull away from the drapes. This is especially true when you consider the relatively large size and weight of pendants like those for the Sampson and for the SAW Veteran's cross that appears next to it.
I just wanted to take the opportunity to warn other collectors that while this type of display might look impressive, the effects of weight and time will have a considerable negative effect on those historical medals.
Thanks,
Allan

[KurtA]

This medal is odd in the fact that it is engraved not impressed or stamped with the individual's name.

Dan-
There were 3 phases of Sampson Medals. Only Phase I had impressed/stamped naming. Phases II and III had engraved names. The USS Prairie was issued in Phase II, so the engraved naming on your medal is correct.
Kurt

[KurtA]

I think there were a total of 60 to 70 ships qualifing for the Sampson Medal over the 3 phases. The USS Prarie had 15 officers, 204 sailors and 27 Marines. Some of the bigger ships (e.g, USS New York, USS Oregon, etc) had many hundreds of crewmembers, and some of the small boats had just a dozen or so crewmembers.
Kurt

[USMCR79]

Dan,

Nice pictures.....I like Sampsons also but I like to get them in groups since I don't like to have "broken groups"

I have a blank top bar Sampson with case (Marine Private - Huntington's Battlion) and a sailor on the USS Harvard (not very exciting)

I will try to post a photo of the Marine Sampson in a couple of days

Bill

Private George Clark was evacuated from Cuba due to sunstroke.

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[KASTAUFFER]

Dan,
The uniform and medals are quite impressive and make fro a wonderful display. However, (and I am certain that you don't really do this) one should NEVER leave medals pinned to a uniform and hung vertically. This is VERY hard on the ribbons and over time, the pendants will pull away from the drapes. This is especially true when you consider the relatively large size and weight of pendants like those for the Sampson and for the SAW Veteran's cross that appears next to it.
I just wanted to take the opportunity to warn other collectors that while this type of display might look impressive, the effects of weight and time will have a considerable negative effect on those historical medals.
Thanks,
Allan

I second this motion! At a minimum black cotton thread should be used to support the planchet. ( On a display board ) .

I remember going to the NASM in DC a few years ago and seeing Jimmy Doolittles medals pinned to a cloth covered board in a frame hanging on the wall of the museum. At the time I saw them one ribbon had already torn, and the rest of the ribbons were VERY faded. Even our own national museums sometimes dont do the right thing.

Kurt

Edited by KASTAUFFER, 14 January 2007 - 09:25 AM.

[Sal]

My $.02
First is an unnamed Phase III USS Marblehead with 4 bars.

Second is another Phase III 6 bar piece USS New York. Impressed to Stephen J. Ahern, Lds.

[Sal]

Reverse of the Marblehead

Reverse of the New York

[erichjr]

USS Indiana with Santiago Bar.

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[bobgee]

USS Indiana with Santiago Bar.

Recently acquired this Phase III 7-Bar Sampson to a USS Texas Marine was ashore at Guantanamo with the Landing Party from this ship and the Marblehead on June 12, 1898 in support of Huntington's 1st Bn of Marines.
Semper Fi! Bob

[4STARCHRIS]

This group of miniature dress medals belonged to US Navy Admiral Yates Stirling, Jr. Here are Admiral Stirling’s 8 miniature dress medals mounted on a single bar. The medals are the US Navy Cross, the Sampson Medal, the Navy Spanish Campaign Medal, the Navy Philippine Campaign Medal, the Navy Mexican Service Medal, the US Victory WWI Medal with star, the French Legion of Honor, and the Italian Order of the Crown of Italy. The medals are in good condition considering their age. The Navy Cross and Philippine ribbons are just starting to fray. The French medal is missing the center medallion on the reverse side and a fleck of enamel just beneath the suspension ring. The Italian order is missing a tiny spot of paint just beneath the crown on the front side. The mounted group measures 4 5/8 inches across. To give perspective, the Navy Cross is 1 5/8 inches tall.
Admiral Stirling, Jr. was born in 1872 and entered the US Navy from Annapolis in 1892, retiring after a stormy but distinguished career 44 years later in 1936. He and his father had the distinction of both being admirals on active duty at the same time. Much has been written about the younger admiral and can be found on the Internet. Additionally, Yates Stirling, Jr. was the author of numerous books about the Navy, including an autobiography (Sea Duty, The Memoirs of a Fighting Admiral).

Admiral Stirling was born in Baltimore, and this is his WWI war record from the book Maryland in the World War 1917-1919. USN comdr; capt 8/10/17, Sub Base New London Conn.; USS President Lincoln 7/25/17; USS Von Steuben 12/20/17; Ch of Staff 3 Naval Dist 9/12/18; USS Connecticut 4/7/19, Still in service 1/1/20, Navy Cross For distinguished service as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. President Lincoln and the U.S.S. Von Steuben, engaged in the important, exacting and hazardous duty of transporting and escorting troops and supplies to European ports through waters infested with enemy submarines and mines, French Legion of Honor (Officer) He performed his duty efficiently, by a skilful maneuver preventing his ship from being torpedoed when the signal was received that a torpedo was near the vessel. (U.S.S. Von Steuben, June 18, 1918).

Later assignments after WWI included chief of staff of the US Fleet; and Commander, Yangtze Patrol, China; and Commandant of the Navy 14th District headquartered in Pearl Harbor.

[bobgee]

This group of miniature dress medals belonged to US Navy Admiral Yates Stirling, Jr. Here are Admiral Stirling’s 8 miniature dress medals mounted on a single bar. The medals are the US Navy Cross, the Sampson Medal, the Navy Spanish Campaign Medal, the Navy Philippine Campaign Medal, the Navy Mexican Service Medal, the US Victory WWI Medal with star, the French Legion of Honor, and the Italian Order of the Crown of Italy. The medals are in good condition considering their age. The Navy Cross and Philippine ribbons are just starting to fray. The French medal is missing the center medallion on the reverse side and a fleck of enamel just beneath the suspension ring. The Italian order is missing a tiny spot of paint just beneath the crown on the front side. The mounted group measures 4 5/8 inches across. To give perspective, the Navy Cross is 1 5/8 inches tall.
Admiral Stirling, Jr. was born in 1872 and entered the US Navy from Annapolis in 1892, retiring after a stormy but distinguished career 44 years later in 1936. He and his father had the distinction of both being admirals on active duty at the same time. Much has been written about the younger admiral and can be found on the Internet. Additionally, Yates Stirling, Jr. was the author of numerous books about the Navy, including an autobiography (Sea Duty, The Memoirs of a Fighting Admiral).

Admiral Stirling was born in Baltimore, and this is his WWI war record from the book Maryland in the World War 1917-1919. USN comdr; capt 8/10/17, Sub Base New London Conn.; USS President Lincoln 7/25/17; USS Von Steuben 12/20/17; Ch of Staff 3 Naval Dist 9/12/18; USS Connecticut 4/7/19, Still in service 1/1/20, Navy Cross For distinguished service as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. President Lincoln and the U.S.S. Von Steuben, engaged in the important, exacting and hazardous duty of transporting and escorting troops and supplies to European ports through waters infested with enemy submarines and mines, French Legion of Honor (Officer) He performed his duty efficiently, by a skilful maneuver preventing his ship from being torpedoed when the signal was received that a torpedo was near the vessel. (U.S.S. Von Steuben, June 18, 1918).

Later assignments after WWI included chief of staff of the US Fleet; and Commander, Yangtze Patrol, China; and Commandant of the Navy 14th District headquartered in Pearl Harbor.

Very nice group, Chris. Any idea where his full-size group is?
Bob

[DevilDan1900]

I wanted to post these pictures before the listing dissapeared. This beautiful blank top bar Sampson recently sold for over $4,200.00 on ebay. It was awarded to a U.S.M.C. Private who went ashore and fought at both Manzanillo and Guantanamo with Col. Huntington's battalion. Some great shots for reference.


***COLLECTOR NOTE***
All collectors should note that the individual who initially started this post has been banned and his posts are now being reviewed for authenticity.

Our main interest at USMF is making sure collectors are aware and can learn about period pieces. And, having non-original pieces as guides does a disservice to all. The administration encourages members having detailed information regarding the item being a fake, reproduction, and/or put together to come forward and post it here or in other threads.

For more information regarding the user “DevilDan1900” and the cause for this review, please see below link:
http://www.usmilitar...showtopic=15227

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Edited by ADMIN, 03 February 2008 - 04:51 PM.
Added investigation note.

[KurtA]

This is what $35 could buy in a New Hampshire antique shop back in the 1970's.
The Sampson, West Indies and New York Spanish Service Medal all named to Seaman Paul H. Stetson, USS Yankee.

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Edited by KurtA, 11 May 2007 - 04:54 PM.

[KurtA]

closeup of bars

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[Sal]

One more; USS Indiana
.jpg]

Edited by Sal, 03 October 2008 - 05:36 PM.

[Mark M]

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