#30r POLAND POLISH ORDER VIRTUTI MILITARI, 5TH CL, 1930s, medal, restrike, wtornik
POLAND POLISH ORDER OF THE VIRTUTI MILITARI, 1930s restrike 5th class, silver gilt and enamels. Many were made from original dies. This example has a new ribbon. Super enamels with large and heavy suspension. Copies of VMs were made before the war as replacements for lost government issued numbered type. These copies were made mostly in silver gilt from bronze/brass metal. About 10 different jewelers all over Poland made them. Polish military regulations required that the highest decoration a soldier was awarded be worn at all times even in combat or in training. Most of these original VMs were lost during WWII when Polish soldiers were captured or executed as in the case of the Katyn Forest Massacre where 20,000 Polish officers and enlisted were executed by the Soviets. Photos are seen with bodies still wearing their decorations. The collection offered for sale here consists of many different copies made before and after the war in cheaper design as well as pre WW. In most cases when copies were made by Gontarczyk, Wabinski, Reising, Knedler or Krupski and Matulewic. These copies were made from the same dies, same metal but without the official number on the lower reverse arm of the cross. Only the official government issued VMs were numbered from 1-9,999. There were never any numbered duplicates made. Post war copies were made from new dies and the quality was very inferior as seen on current copies made by Panansiuk. The free listing tool. The item “#30r POLAND POLISH ORDER VIRTUTI MILITARI, 5TH CL, 1930s, medal, restrike, wtornik” is in sale since Saturday, May 30, 2015. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\1919-38\Original Period Items”. The seller is “polishmilitaria” and is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Country/Region of Manufacture: Poland