Fastening of Polish Medals

Nack · 05-10-2006, 09:21 AM

How exactly were the crosses (or medals) attached to the uniform? The awards I have dont seem to have any suspensions attached to the ribbons, and the various pics of other awards dont really show how the items were worn.

Riley1965 · 05-10-2006, 09:27 AM

Nack,
I'm not sure but I know who to ask. As with 99% of the medals I get they came without the fastener.

Here is the response from Prof. Wesoloski. If you don't know him he is an authority regarding Polish ODMs. Here's what he wrote:

Suspensions vary from medal to medal. The only standardization can be classified as a combination of a large and small O ring. Some were very simple others very ornate such as on the VM and Cross of Merit of the communist era. However, if an item is 100 years old or even 50, God knows where it has been and who had it. Same goes for Polish regimental badges. The screw back disk is usually NOT the original but a replacement. These are lost or exchanged very easily.
Z. Wesolowski

He added this regarding attachment devices:"Whatever did the job.

Most common was the safety pin for a single medal.

Then the French method was used. Taking long pin with screw ball at each end and then placing the ribboned medals across and then inserting the group through sown loops on uniform.

During WWII the British method was adopted. A medal metal bar was used to mount the medals. Each bar held several medals up to 5-6 medals in a single row. The ribbons were then sown or glued together to keep them in place. Soldiers also used wooden sticks to mount medals in such manner

The ultimate was the British Court Mounting. For 99% of the Poles this was too expensive and was rarely done. Spinks and other jewellers still do this in England".
Prof. Z. Wesolowski

Regards,
Doc

Nack · 05-11-2006, 07:48 AM

Very interesting--thanks for the research Doc!

BTW, what is the "British court mounting?"

Riley1965 · 05-11-2006, 09:01 AM

Court mounted medals is a style popular in Europe. Mainly used for formal or dress uniform events. It is distinguished by the length of ribbon behind the medal. The group is from Great Britian.

Doc

Al-muell · 05-18-2006, 09:01 AM

I can add that during the awarding ceremony, the medals areussually mounted witha a normal pin, and civilian awardees usualy wear the medals this way (in fact You can rearly see a civilian wearing the medals, and it's not because there aren't jmany of them).
As for the soldiers - On most polish army jackets I have seen the medals were simply sewn on the jacket

Nack · 05-18-2006, 10:14 AM

Thanks for the help guys. :)

05-10-2006, 09:21 AM	#1
Nack Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: The Buckeye State Age: 47 Posts: 513	Fastening of Polish Medals How exactly were the crosses (or medals) attached to the uniform? The awards I have dont seem to have any suspensions attached to the ribbons, and the various pics of other awards dont really show how the items were worn.

05-10-2006, 09:27 AM	#2
Riley1965 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 612	Nack, I'm not sure but I know who to ask. As with 99% of the medals I get they came without the fastener. Here is the response from Prof. Wesoloski. If you don't know him he is an authority regarding Polish ODMs. Here's what he wrote: Suspensions vary from medal to medal. The only standardization can be classified as a combination of a large and small O ring. Some were very simple others very ornate such as on the VM and Cross of Merit of the communist era. However, if an item is 100 years old or even 50, God knows where it has been and who had it. Same goes for Polish regimental badges. The screw back disk is usually NOT the original but a replacement. These are lost or exchanged very easily. Z. Wesolowski He added this regarding attachment devices:"Whatever did the job. Most common was the safety pin for a single medal. Then the French method was used. Taking long pin with screw ball at each end and then placing the ribboned medals across and then inserting the group through sown loops on uniform. During WWII the British method was adopted. A medal metal bar was used to mount the medals. Each bar held several medals up to 5-6 medals in a single row. The ribbons were then sown or glued together to keep them in place. Soldiers also used wooden sticks to mount medals in such manner The ultimate was the British Court Mounting. For 99% of the Poles this was too expensive and was rarely done. Spinks and other jewellers still do this in England". Prof. Z. Wesolowski Regards, Doc Last edited by CtahhR; 03-10-2013 at 10:04 AM.

05-11-2006, 07:48 AM	#3
Nack Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: The Buckeye State Age: 47 Posts: 513	Very interesting--thanks for the research Doc! BTW, what is the "British court mounting?" Last edited by Nack; 05-11-2006 at 07:51 AM.

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05-18-2006, 09:01 AM	#5
Al-muell Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wrocław, Poland Posts: 1,828	I can add that during the awarding ceremony, the medals areussually mounted witha a normal pin, and civilian awardees usualy wear the medals this way (in fact You can rearly see a civilian wearing the medals, and it's not because there aren't jmany of them). As for the soldiers - On most polish army jackets I have seen the medals were simply sewn on the jacket

05-18-2006, 10:14 AM	#6
Nack Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: The Buckeye State Age: 47 Posts: 513	Thanks for the help guys. :)

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