javimetal Posted December 29, 2023 Share #401 Posted December 29, 2023 On 9/17/2023 at 9:47 PM, alfredely said: Just got my first Legion of Merit! Brooch is marked GI with a diamond mark, which I can't find any info on. I'm new to medal collecting, so apologies if this is well-known mark. I figured this medal is 1960s-1980s era. Any help in pinning down age/maker would be appreciated. Thanks! This hallmark is William's & Anderson. I also think it is from approximately 1960-1980, since in a USMC grouping Vietnam era that I have, one of their medals also has that mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan H. Posted March 11 Share #402 Posted March 11 Rare Legion of Merit Officer medal made by Bailey, Banks and Biddle. It is unusual to see a numbered slot brooch. The small, “black” suspension ring is also seen on early BB&B contract pieces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmpmstr Posted March 11 Share #403 Posted March 11 Gorgeous example Allan...very nice investigative research on manufacture and period. IT looks like the Officer device has a good amount of vaulting to it which, to me, indicates an early device vice the newer less detailed artificially finished ones often added to earlier LOMs to create an Officer grade. The enamel work is marvelous as well. My tell of a solid early manufacturer is the detail in the stars where the white is within the border of the star and is finely detailed enough to see them individually. Outstanding find Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carrabassett Posted March 23 Share #404 Posted March 23 Here are three LOM’s I bought off a dealer friend today. He had no info on them and they’re not named but they are heavy, very detailed and in beautiful condition. I have no experience with these medals so was hoping for some help with dating them and comments in general. The bullion blazer/breast badge is unique and also very detailed and the back looks light some British-made patches I’ve seen? I think the medal is maker marked HLP and partially over stamped N-GII. Thanks for any help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan H. Posted March 24 Share #405 Posted March 24 Carrabassett, You LOM blazer patch is Pakistani made. Your LOM Commander looks to be Vietnam era, and the HLP (His Lordship Products) is probably late Vietnam era. Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carrabassett Posted March 30 Share #406 Posted March 30 Thanks so much Allan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuftStalg1 Posted March 31 Share #407 Posted March 31 Love the Paki made blazer patch, need to find me one of those! 🥰 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog06 Posted April 7 Share #408 Posted April 7 Early pierced arrows, reverse enamel, unnumbered Officer Legion of Merit. the planchet appears to be similar to the example shown in Call of Duty expanded edition pg 148. The brooch is a split round gilt type instead of the full wrap brooch normally seen on early LOMs. The sewing seems to be similar to the technique used by Bailey Banks and Biddle on the early Purple Heart and Silver Star medals. With the unnumbered split brooch, it is possible that this medal is an early Bailey Banks and Biddle sample. It could also be one of the early unnumbered production medals mentioned by Allen Menke on page 6 in his JOMSA article in the Sept Oct 2022 issue. Allen notes that the early production medals were initially unnumbered and possibly issued until numbering was begun. "It is highly likely that some unnumbered medals were awarded to foreign recipients, although that issue remains cloudy." Later numbering on the brooch would have required a change to the full wrap version. Medals issued to foreign recipients should have included the Officer device. The device on this medal is domed with short round posts. The medal came from the collection of a long time collector/ dealer. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuftStalg1 Posted April 7 Share #409 Posted April 7 Would foreign awarded pieces NOT be engraved? In any case it is a beautiful example of my favorite US type of which I only recently acquired a pierced example. 🥰 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog06 Posted April 8 Share #410 Posted April 8 My understanding is that valor medals were delivered to the Army without engraving. The Army would then, as needed, order any necessary engraving from the Phila QM depot or similar facility. I often wish a medal could "talk" and tell us where it has been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyNavy02 Posted April 9 Share #411 Posted April 9 Hi all, Would appreciate any information you can share about my numbered (380) LOM Commander as found. Neck ribbon has two snaps. The screw back lapel pin has a raised "STERLING" mark. The 1960s? ribbon bar has long clutch posts with WW II era flat sterling clutches and is marked "SIMON GI" Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog06 Posted April 9 Share #412 Posted April 9 The numbering, star detail and workmanship show this to be a beautiful early Bailey Banks and Biddle medal. Info I've gathered says that this medal is part of the first production run of Commander medals. The other examples I have see have hook and eye fasteners on the cravat. I've seen the two snap cravat shown on Balfour produced medals from the 1950's. My info is from observation and discussions. None comes from published sources other than forums like this one. very nice medal Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyNavy02 Posted April 10 Share #413 Posted April 10 Hi Mike, Thanks for your observations, very informative and just what I was looking for. Regards, Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now