Distinguished Service Cross Questions

[Tom Nier]

Dave, aka Frankn Eaton"

 

Your two box labels have completely solved the question of the WW2 sources of #'d DSCs. Thanks for sharing this vital data. Tom Nier

[Hermanus]

Okay, as I am not the one who has all details, I think they are in the collective knowledge and/or archives of the forumites, I throw in the stick and hope others will join / correct / give additional new information. They are allready some specialist who joined this topic. Thanks Tom, Frank, Clinton and Brian.

 

Allright, here it is.

 

 

Numbered Distinguished Service Crosses

 

Unofficial

Number 1 to 100 French Style cross manufactured in 1918 in France.

 

Official

Number 1 to 9,000, manufactured by US Mint, under a 1918 contract, wrap brooch, numbered at the left side of the lower cross arm

Number 9,001 to 14,000, manufactured by the Robbins Company, under contract W669 dated 30 dec 1941, slot brooch, numbered left side lower cross arm

Number 14,001 to 24,000 manufactured by the Medallic Art Company, under P/O 10408 dated 20 jan 1943, wrap brooch, numbered right side lower cross arm

 

 

Unnumbered

- French Style DSCs manufactured in 1918

-3 Robbins Company contracts dated 17 Feb 1945, 18 september 1945 and 3 dec 1945, all with the Black slot brooch.

And many more later.

 

 

 

I know there is information about numbered BB&B crosses and even early crosses manufactured by August Frank, but who can confirm this? Hopefully with photographic evidence......

 

Now about why I chose 9,000, 14,000 and 24,000 as the cut off numbers for the contracts is basically because the other medal contracts in WW2 also ended in round figures. If solid evidence proves the cut off is 8,000, 8,500, 13,500 and 23,500 then so it will be. I hope my post will trigger others to add to the list..

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Regards

Herman

[MARTINRF]

Here's my example - numbered:13628... picked it up in Melbourne, Australia, 40+ years ago...

[Hermanus]

Thank you MARTINRF,

 

so the contract to the Medallic Art Company probably started at number 13,500 (i.s.o. 14,000).

 

Good to know.

 

Regards

Herman

 

 

[MARTINRF]

...these might be a bit off-piste for this topic, but here are two other awards which I picked up in Melbourne with the DSC - the stamped numbers are SS:105240 and the PH:102524...(8{

[Brian R]

Of three Robbins contract dates above, is there a distinct difference in crosses? In other words, is there a way of determining which medal came from which of three contracts just by their physical attributes?

[Brian R]

Can anyone show a comparison of the three medals from each of the three maker marked boxes?

[Brian R]

On 7/31/2019 at 5:43 AM, Hermanus said:

Okay, as I am not the one who has all details, I think they are in the collective knowledge and/or archives of the forumites, I throw in the stick and hope others will join / correct / give additional new information. They are allready some specialist who joined this topic. Thanks Tom, Frank, Clinton and Brian.

 

Allright, here it is.

 

 

Numbered Distinguished Service Crosses

 

Unofficial

Number 1 to 100 French Style cross manufactured in 1918 in France.

 

Official

Number 1 to 9,000, manufactured by US Mint, under a 1918 contract, wrap brooch, numbered at the left side of the lower cross arm

Number 9,001 to 14,000, manufactured by the Robbins Company, under contract W669 dated 30 dec 1941, slot brooch, numbered left side lower cross arm

Number 14,001 to 24,000 manufactured by the Medallic Art Company, under P/O 10408 dated 20 jan 1943, wrap brooch, numbered right side lower cross arm

 

 

Unnumbered

- French Style DSCs manufactured in 1918

-3 Robbins Company contracts dated 17 Feb 1945, 18 september 1945 and 3 dec 1945, all with the Black slot brooch.

And many more later.

 

 

 

I know there is information about numbered BB&B crosses and even early crosses manufactured by August Frank, but who can confirm this? Hopefully with photographic evidence......

 

Now about why I chose 9,000, 14,000 and 24,000 as the cut off numbers for the contracts is basically because the other medal contracts in WW2 also ended in round figures. If solid evidence proves the cut off is 8,000, 8,500, 13,500 and 23,500 then so it will be. I hope my post will trigger others to add to the list..

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Regards

Herman

 Ok, Herman - Per your list...

 

From left to right...

 

US Mint 96X (Wrap Brooch)

Robbins? 9889 (Slot Brooch)

Medallic Art 1441X (Wrap Brooch)

Robbins Unnumbered  (Slot Brooch)

 

The names are whited out on the latter two for now.

 

[Hermanus]

Thanks Brian. In one word ......... WOW ! !

 

Nice collection you have.

Thanks for the contribution.

 

Regards

Herman

[Brian R]

20 minutes ago, Hermanus said:

Thanks Brian. In one word ......... WOW ! !

 

Nice collection you have.

Thanks for the contribution.

 

Regards

Herman

Thanks!  I’m thankful to your summary above as it gives these crosses a bit more context. I’ll follow up with more info about their award dates to help understand when these crosses were used. 
 

[Austin_Militaria]

Just picked up this full wrap broach, unnumbered and unnamed DSC in an untitled case. The clasp is a drop in. I cant seem to find any reference to who the mfg was or when this was made. 

[Allan H.]

Austin,

Your cased medal is rather unusual and I was ready to tell you that it was probably a Robbins contract that had been re-ribboned, but it is obvious to me that the suspension ring is soldered shut. This tells me that it is an earlier cross and NOT a 1944 Robbins contract piece. The lack of numbers surprises me, as this one should absolutely have a number on the arm of the cross. This is only the second unnumbered DSC medal with a soldered ring. By looking at the brooch, you can tell that this is a WWII vintage piece. Thee Mint strikes will have a "navy" style brooch. 

 

Edit- I should also mention that the large suspension ring makes me think that it is probably a Medallic Arts piece.

 

Thanks for sharing it.

 

Allan

[peoplewhoknowme1]

There is one more WW2 contract that was un-numbered that had a yellow ( non copper) slot brooch on it.  It was not a black brooch Robbins and I think it was made by either BB&B, or  Dieges & Clust perhaps. Never seen one in a blue box.    Does anyone have any information about the manufacturer.  They are hard to find and were primarily used for KIA awards but since the thread was discussing WW2 DSC this contract should be added to the discussion.

[Big Iron]

On 9/19/2022 at 3:19 PM, peoplewhoknowme1 said:

There is one more WW2 contract that was un-numbered that had a yellow ( non copper) slot brooch on it.  It was not a black brooch Robbins and I think it was made by either BB&B, or  Dieges & Clust perhaps. Never seen one in a blue box.    Does anyone have any information about the manufacturer.  They are hard to find and were primarily used for KIA awards but since the thread was discussing WW2 DSC this contract should be added to the discussion.

I came to this thread thinking I'd find out about this type of DSC. Turns out the last post was about the type I have. 

 

It is stamped BB&B so maybe that will help confirm your type at well. 

 

 

[KASTAUFFER]

BBB did not make DSC's. They also never marked medal brooches like that. Someone added that mark.

[Dave]

That is truly a bizarre stamping of BB&B on the brooch. Someone must have been looking for a BB&B DSC and some creative person made them one. 

[DannyJ]

Here is my latest pickup...nice example🙂

 

[DannyJ]

Whoops, forgot the serial shot😁

[bulldog06]

This medal looks like a nice example of the December 1941 Robbons contract.

[Allan H.]

David, aka "Frank Sutton" posted this earlier in the thread showing a similar medal that is within 500 numbers of the one recently posted. Noting that the "coppery" slot brooch and the small ring with soldered closure, you can be assured that the medal is from the same December 1941 contract assigned to The Robbins Co. 

 

Allan

 

 

 

[DannyJ]

Yes, this is a fantastic thread for reference, thanks to everyone on here for their expertise👏👏

I sure am happy to have this one in my collection

[Fort Susquehanna]

I am not a medal collector, but this found its way into my possession.  Is it WWII?  

[Dave]

26 minutes ago, Fort Susquehanna said:

I am not a medal collector, but this found its way into my possession.  Is it WWII?  

 

 

No, this is a "modern" era strike. 

[Regular122]

WHO MADE IT, AND WHY?

 

I have this unusual French Style DSC that I nearly passed on but the pendant was so well struck and the planchet has a non-glow ribbon. It is shown next to a WWII Robbins DSC for comparison. The pics lighting doesn't really show the color well, but pendant is a bit coppery.

 

The catch & mount apparatus has an unusual marking--a D with a diagonal line through it and an official GI sanction. I have never seen this marking. By the set up, and the older ribbon, I am guessing late 50s to early 70s. Who made it? Dondero? Denmark? Dennison? None of them?

 

Why? Why the retro WWI French style with what appears to be an official GI maker? 

 

Anyway, I got it with a lot and it cost very little but I am intrigued by what it is.

 

Any help is appreciated.  Steve

 

 

[peoplewhoknowme1]

Steve just a guess but  the DSC  on the left looks like a modern strike copy of a French style DSC manufactured recently ( let's call it in the last 20 years) then "kit bashed" as the kids call it or placed on a modern crimp brooch Graco Industries  ( I think that is what GI is) modern manufactured drape and pin. I would consider this a replica possibly.  I am not looking at the piece in hand but it looks like it has that clear enamel finish on it as well. Hope this helps.