Sampson Medal Opinions Please #2

[skylog6]

I’m looking for insights on this medal, manufacturer, timeframe and value.?

 

The medal is 38mm wide and the planchet ranges from thinnest to thickest ~3.6mm – 4.2mm

 

The engraver mark “B” is absent from the observe and there is an “M” on the right side of the reverse.

 

I am thinking this may be a Studly medal by Davidson due to the thickness of the planchet?

 

Thank you,

 

Bill

[KurtA]

Could be the lighting, but the planchet coloring looks strange. Detail (from what I can see of it) looks rather "soft" - mainly the eagle on his shoulder strap.

If I was able to inspect it and the Brooklyn top brooch looked like a legit Phase II brooch, I would only purchase this medal if I had a Sampson that was missing its  Brooklyn top brooch.  And then, I'd be looking at paying perhaps $100 to $150.  From what I can see of the brooch, I'm not sure I like it.  I would have to see it in person. 

 

 

[aerialbridge]

The brooch looks artificially toned and that ball catch is not right.   IMO someone new to collecting and not wanting to spring for a real one might pay $75 bucks, on a good day maybe $100. One way to find out what it's worth, is to sail on the bay as a restrike, start out at $9.95 if you feel lucky and see where it lands.  Suspension ring also looks added on, and weird.  Compare to a real one, this to  CARPENTER WILLIAM ALEXANDER BAILEY,  USS Oregon.

 

[skylog6]

Thanks, appreciate the feedback. It came with a lot of  other medals. Maybe I'll sail on the bay as you say!

 

Bill

[aerialbridge]

Bill,  if you do, let me know,  I'd like to see how it does and what the restrike market is these days.   I've got a bunch of USN campaign restrikes from my early collecting days that I'd like to unload starting at low opening bids as "restrike".   Smooth and max sailing!

[skylog6]

Will do aerialbridge. It will be a couple weeks before I can do it. Bill

[skylog6]

2 hours ago, KurtA said:

Could be the lighting, but the planchet coloring looks strange. Detail (from what I can see of it) looks rather "soft" - mainly the eagle on his shoulder strap.

If I was able to inspect it and the Brooklyn top brooch looked like a legit Phase II brooch, I would only purchase this medal if I had a Sampson that was missing its  Brooklyn top brooch.  And then, I'd be looking at paying perhaps $100 to $150.  From what I can see of the brooch, I'm not sure I like it.  I would have to see it in person. 

 

 

Kurt, Thanks for the feedback. The planchet is very dark, almost black like. Here it is side by side with the other one I am asking about on the forum and a first strike from USS Oregon that is named (impressed). The one on the left looks like it was polished. Bill

[usmedalman]

I am a little late to this party, I believe the Brooklyn medal is correctly configured for a Phase I medal, but the ship bar pin assembly is not correct for any phases of issue. The flat catch was used in Phase II and early Phase III before the locking barrel clasp came into use. But in Phase II and III the pin should be steel as should the pin stabilizer. In this case they appear to be bronze. Also, an originally assembled Phase I medal should have a machine sewn ribbon, not hand stitched. I am not put off by the color of the pendant (see the attached picture of an original named Oregon Phase I medal) so my though is that this is a parts medal assembled in the 1960s or 1970s.