Well, we know what it started out as, but just why anyone would let that ugly ribbon be encased, I haven't a clue. The only thing I can imagine it that first it was worn as just open cloth ribbons mounted, the militia ribbon was damaged and then later the whole ribbon bar was sealed in plastic. The problem with that theory though, is that one would think the owner would have replaced the ribbon before letting it get sealed in with the rest.:confused: I guess I just don't want to think somebody believed that strangely stained ribbon looked like anything fit for wearing (imperial or not). Perhaps the glue behind the plastic had some sort of chemical reaction or breakdown over the ribbon during the process and the result was purely accidental? I could buy that.:)
Since it is not cloth but thin plastic that the ribbons are made of, I believe aging and possibly reaction with the cover plastic and metal has made it crack. Of course this happened after it was covered, who would cover a broken ribbon :confused: Also, in that position it would be the 50th anniversary of the Militia medal.
Esteban_cool Wrote:I guess the last ribbon tries to depict the 25th anniversary of victory in GPW badge.
Veterans unofficially put them on their self-made ribbon bars sometimes.
I also agree with the 25th Ann znachok theory. I've see it before on painted bars as the last entry, sometimes done with a slight slant to the stripes, sometimes straight, no two pieces exactly the same.
There is no "encasing" here, these ribbons are painted.
Marc
Well I'll be...Thanks Marc.:thumbsup I only have four or five ribbon bars and each one is made differently. Now that I've checked them, I can see that the two that are "covered" with plastic (one very thick and the other nearly invisible) are clearly painted. The others just have bits of ribbons rolled over split rubber tubing and sewn onto swatches of uniform material. Let the learning continue.:D
I can see now how any number of environmental factors could have caused the strange aberration on the 50th militia anniversary ribbon.
Gents, what are the odds that this is actually from the period alleged by the ribbons?
"patina imparts character" - PJS
A wise man said: 'you should not pay a premium for what you want beyond your comfort level, and always ensure there is a mutually agreeable return policy.'
Lapa Wrote:why did you post 5 times the same bar :confused:
Just to give you some (more?) gray hairs. :cool:
Thanks, by the way, boys. "Very likely" is about as close as we'll ever be able to get, short of photographic proof. If indeed it is good.
What say you to what looks like a slightly larger BM ribbon? What about the staggered threading of the ribbon prongs on the reverse? Does the wear look even to you? Does this look like the early, thin mounting style? Is the lack of heavy wear to the verticle edges of the ribbons (RS on the left and VoG on the right) a cause for concern?
"patina imparts character" - PJS
A wise man said: 'you should not pay a premium for what you want beyond your comfort level, and always ensure there is a mutually agreeable return policy.'
