Plastic Dome Shaped Ribbon Bars

[vernon]

A type of ribbon bar rarely seen by collectors is the ALL-IN-ONE plastic dome shaped composite.  These ribbon bars were not foreign manufactured but were made in the United States by the A to Z Plastic Company in Columbia, South Carolina.  The bar was marketed with the product name of  ALL-IN-ONE.  Over the years I have come across only one service member in a photograph wearing this type of bar.  

 

The ribbon bar consisted of a plastic hollow dome shaped front (see pictures) and channels in the back of multibars  that were used to slide in pieces of modified ribbon cloth.  The inserted ribbons are viewed from the front through the plastic.  The ribbon pieces are extremely thin, folded over, and appear to have been treated with chemicals to make the ribbon cloth stiff possible so they could slide through the channels easier and perhaps to make the ribbons more vivid. Holes were drilled in the front of the plastic and ribbons to mount various appurtenances.  For multibar complexes detachable brass ends were used to keep the ribbon pieces in the assembly.  Some of these end pieces possesed clutches to attach the bar to clothing.   For single bars, such as those for unit awards, a rectangular metal backing often accompanied the ribbon to better secure the ribbon to clothing (see pictures).  The curved transparent plastic front of this bar accentuated the appearance of the ribbons by giving them a striking three dimensional look while also protecting the ribbons from the environment.  

 

The designer of this unusual ribbon bar was M. Cohen of Columbia, South Carolina.  A patent for this bar was submitted in July 1952 and granted in January 1956.  

[aznation]

Those are really neat ribbon bars.  Great research by the way as well as it being very interesting.  Thanks for sharing.

[vernon]

Thank you Aznation for your comment.