Suspensions, Ribbons, Ribbon Bars And Order Of Precedence.

[desantnik]

One must be extra careful buying an undocumented ribbon bar like this. Frequently sellers just slap on unassociated numbered serial numbered medals they have to get rid of them.

Judging by my serial number awarding organization data base and even condition on all awards, I would be willing to bet this is the real deal and not something someone just slapped together on a good, but empty "rack".

[SGM (ret.)]

I saw this last one posted on eBay, too, and wondered about it. In the reverse view especially, there doesn't seem to be any wear from the individual medals rubbing against each other. So I'm curious if these medals are actually original to the suspension bar.

But be that as it may, though, it's an interesting, maybe unique, item.

Each of the three suspension bars posted in this thread is constructed differently from each of the others. The basic idea is the same, but the bars are unique (different pins, one with rivets holding the front to the back, backer plates seem to be made of different metals, etc).

Were these "one off" custom constructs or factory made?

The last bar (the last one from eBay) shows all the indications of being hand-made. Note in the reverse view that the angle cuts along the bottom are actually very uneven and the holes drilled for the suspension links are different distances from the bottom edge. Also, in the obverse view, the edges on the "ribbon" paint colors are not very "crisp."

It all looks like a hand-crafted item to me.

Mike

[desantnik]

Originally Posted by SGM (ret.)

It all looks like a hand-crafted item to me.

Mike

I agree with that assessment. A special-order deal from the voentorg - their equivalent of a PX/BX.

There is plenty of "ding" wear visible on all three of the silver awards - on the glory in particular look on the reverse 9 o'clock ray.

[SGM (ret.)]

I see the wear that you note on the reverse of the glory.

Are these "hard ribbon" suspension bars very common?

[desantnik]

Originally Posted by SGM (ret.)

I see the wear that you note on the reverse of the glory.

Are these "hard ribbon" suspension bars very common?

Not really. When they do show up, they are frequently chipped. They also run the danger of being "thrown together" by unscrupulous people as I mentioned above.

[Garry NZ]

Can any one help me with a few pointers on how to place the ribbons on the 5 sided suspensions. When I do it it just doesnt look quite up to scratch.
Thanks.

[Tretov]

I think he means how to put medal ribbons to a suspension bar ...
This is how it is done.... see pics 1-9.

[Kirchgoens]

I started from a point of ignorance, but I've become pretty good at it. I got my hands on a huge pile of used ribbons a month or so ago, and most of them appear at first to be too short. With some practice, you'd be surprised at what you can pull off.

start by putting the (as seen from front) end of the left side under the tab with just enough to barely make it (assuming a short ribbon). Then pull across the front, around the back, over the tab, back around again, and then over the top and into the tab. Keep your hands clean, and use a thumb in the front to keep tension on the ribbon as it goes over the top. Using your fingers from your other hand (if enough slack) or neednose pliers (if not enough slack), pull the ribbon's two ends as tight as you can. Then crimp the tab with regular pliars, lining the front side of the ribbon so you don't damage it with the plairs. The protect the ribbon, line it with paper or a little piece of cloth or ribbon that you can sacrifice.

Also, jeweler's screwdrivers are good for pushing ribbon aside to get to the tab to remove a medal/order that has a soldered ring. You'll also want a pair of very narrow needlenose pliars to do this. Practice on anniversary medals if you are afraid of damaging something. They are easy to replace! :)

...Brian

[Soviet]

I find it so sad when people reribonned their medals. There will be no way after that to put it back the same way the vet use to wear his medal. I prefer not to messed with the history of the medal and put some post-war new ribbons. :thumbsdown

My hint would be that you should wait to find reribbonned medals for sale and then sale your old medals as they are with old ribbons. That way you will get your "new" medals with "new" ribbons and some other collectors will be happy to get "untouched" medals in their collection. If you are patient enough you will find some medals with new ribbons. I myself sold almost all my medals that have been reribonned.

[Kirchgoens]

Still, it is a useful skill. I have encountered many medals and orders that came without the suspension. I've now learned to keep a sharp eye out for suspensions (all types) and used ribbons. Then you can at least try to mate the award with a suspension from the right period along with a decent ribbon. Where do these suspensions and ribbons come from? Read on...

There's a huge amount of melting going on now in the former Soviet Union. You all would be shocked to know how many motherhood medals, maternal glories, distinguished and valient labor, combat service (even with s/n's), bravery medals (even with s/n's), 1985 OPW's, Mother Heroine medals (the gold already being stripped), and older 20-yr service medals are going into small-scale smelting operations simply for the value of the metal. Even the Badge of Honor and Red Banner of Labor awards are being melted by some. What that does leave though, is a lot of old ribbon stock (if you are lucky enough to find it), and sometimes even suspensions with the original ribbons on them for the awards that were melted.

I have personally seen someone buy well over 50 Maternal Glory orders (all three classes) in bulk at one time on the scale for melting, all from the Ferghana Valley...

...Brian